Director of Conference Services

Job Summary:

As a Director of Conference Services, you will oversee the dining and hospitality experience for a premier conference center in Weehawken, NJ. You will lead conference dining operations, manage service teams, and collaborate closely with conference services, culinary, facilities, and client stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of meetings, events, and daily dining programs.

This role requires a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational excellence, financial performance, and proactive service delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all conference center dining operations, including meeting breaks, receptions, catered events, executive dining, and specialty functions.
• Manage, coach, and develop dining managers, supervisors, coordinators, and hourly service teams.
• Partner with Conference Services and Culinary leadership to plan menus, service styles, timelines, room setups, and event logistics.
• Ensure all dining services are delivered with exceptional quality, professionalism, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Anticipate client and guest needs and provide proactive solutions throughout the event experience.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, purveyors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, food safety standards, sanitation requirements, and conference center operating procedures.
• Forecast and manage department revenue, labor, payroll, operating expenses, meeting covers, and event-related dining costs.
• Analyze business trends and develop strategies to improve service levels, efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee staffing plans, scheduling, training, performance management, and departmental communications.
• Support the development and implementation of innovative dining programs that enhance the conference center experience.
• Monitor guest feedback and lead service recovery efforts to ensure a consistently premier hospitality experience.

What We're Looking For:

• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in conference center dining, hotel food and beverage, catering, or high-end hospitality operations.
• Previous experience leading dining operations within a conference center, hotel, corporate dining, or premier hospitality environment preferred.
• Strong financial, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and foodservice or hospitality management systems.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple events, and prioritize competing operational demands.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate client and guest needs.
• Commitment to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Exceptional customer service and relationship-management skills.