Director of Events

Crew is actively seeking a skilled Director of Events to represent our portfolio of award-winning restaurants, offering experiential opportunities to a diverse base of clients. With a current portfolio of six venues and highly anticipated concepts forthcoming, Crew offers a unique opportunity for a thoughtful, progressive candidate to join the team and to pilot the events department to its most fulfilling and successful iteration.

In this role, the Director of Events will collaborate closely with company executives, directors, and venue management to optimize sales and ensure flawless event execution. Responsibilities encompass generating new client relationships, cultivating existing ones, and implementing and leading the events team. This position entails overseeing the entire booking process, from initial contact through event execution and close out procedures, and developing and executing strategy to increase revenue. Additionally, the Director of Events will be responsible for hiring and training subordinate team members and optimizing day-to-day operations.

A successful Director of Events at Crew is able to identify sales and optimization opportunities across the brand portfolio and utilize the diverse set of spaces to meet client expectations. The candidate must be comfortable engaging new clients through outreach. The candidate must possess a natural curiosity and aptitude for persistence and proactivity in a lively, usually outdoor, environment.

The ideal candidate possesses a robust background in hospitality, demonstrating a successful track record in high volume event sales and coordination. They are a team leader and thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritize delivering outstanding hospitality, and exhibit impeccable organizational skills. This person is innovative, motivated, reliable, and adept at sourcing, building, and managing teams. The ideal candidate is a quick learner capable of adapting to existing systems and able to accept complete ownership of the Events department. Strong communication skills, both with guests and colleagues, along with a passion for problem-solving and creating positive outcomes, define this candidate. Attention to detail is paramount, as is a willingness to embrace the elements and creatively problem solve.

Note: Please understand that most of the venues are outdoors and seasonal. The role requires the ability and willingness to travel between venues during the hot summer months, and the possibility for rain and other elements. Some venues are also aboard historic wooden vessels which do not sail, but do rock and present the possibility for motion sickness. Great sunsets, though, are guaranteed.

Sales Responsibilities:

• Source, qualify, negotiate, and close events business across all Crew venues.
• Supervise lead generation and formulate and implement departmental strategies to identify opportunities and successfully convert them into new business.
• Communicate and meet with clients regarding items including but not limited to event menus, floorplans, timelines, activation, insurance, transportation, permitting, and any equipment needs.
• Coordinate and participate in site visits, walk-throughs, and tastings as required.
• Produce all proposals, contracts, and client-facing materials, and initiate the distribution of initial proposals. Verify the accuracy of pricing on estimates and invoices. Manage complete billing process for events including post-event follow up and collection as required.

Event Management & Execution:

• Create and deliver Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) in a thorough, well-organized, and timely fashion.
• Engage in weekly meetings with chefs and managers to effectively communicate all catering and operational details for upcoming events.
• Effectively utilize proprietary events booking protocols and uphold information database in accordance with company standards.
• Provide on-site support for events; maintain on-site relationships and presence during planning and execution phases.
• Supervise all event activities to guarantee client satisfaction and promptly resolve any issues that may arise. Navigate client concerns or dissatisfaction to ensure relationship integrity.

Team Leadership:

• Achieve results by recruiting, hiring and training junior staff according to the established interview and onboarding processes. Devise efficient and effective department structure.
• Provide full cycle sales leadership to the sales team.

Strategy & Growth: 

• Create sales objectives in collaboration with the executive leadership team, and formulate and implement strategic plans for each location to attain those weekly, monthly, and annual goals.
• Develop and propose offering and operational improvements for existing and upcoming ventures.
• Cultivate and sustain existing client relationships while actively fostering new relationships through active digital and in-person outreach.
• Analyze success through standardized reporting; provide insight, strategy, and direction for departmental growth. Create actionable plans for optimization.

Financial: 

• Set realistic financial goals and maintain accurate financial records to track performance and ensure targets are met.
• Create clear and accurate financial reports to support decision-making and strategy adjustments.

• Minimum of 3 years experience in high end event sales and events planning
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays 
• Strong understanding of both front of house and back of house restaurant operations
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and develop a team.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Able to multitask and prioritize.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Tech savvy with knowledge of Toast, ResyOS, and Google Suite a plus
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, high pressure environment