Director of Event Services

Montauk Yacht Club Spanning 16 acres of waterfront expanse, untouched natural beauty, and endless views, Montauk Yacht Club is a resort haven on the calm waters of Lake Montauk—bridging a legacy of East End tradition with Star Island adventure, exceptional dining at Ocean Club Montauk, elevated wellness offerings, and direct access to the Hamptons' largest marina...all from the team behind Proper Hospitality.

Job Summary:

The Director of Event Services is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of event planning, coordination, and execution for group, catering, wedding, social, and special events. This position serves as the primary liaison between clients and operational teams, ensuring events are executed seamlessly while delivering exceptional guest experiences. The Director of Event Services manages event service professionals, develops strategic partnerships, drives revenue opportunities, and maintains operational excellence across all event functions. This role requires a highly organized hospitality leader with exceptional communication skills, strong business acumen, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced luxury resort environment.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities Event Planning & Execution:

Oversee all aspects of event planning from contract turnover through event completion, ensuring flawless execution and exceptional guest experiences. Manage event timelines, logistics, staffing plans, and operational details for meetings, conferences, weddings, social events, and VIP functions. Conduct pre-conference meetings, planning sessions, site visits, and post-event reviews with clients and operational teams. Ensure Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), event resumes, timelines, and planning documents are accurate and distributed appropriately. Monitor event progress and proactively resolve issues to ensure seamless execution. Anticipate client needs and provide creative solutions to enhance the overall event experience. Maintain detailed records and communication regarding all event requirements and operational changes.

Client Relationship Management:

Serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, VIP clients, event planners, and high-profile events. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients to encourage repeat business and referrals. Manage client expectations through proactive communication and exceptional service throughout the planning process. Address escalated client concerns and service recovery situations promptly and professionally. Conduct post-event follow-up meetings and gather feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and future business opportunities. Represent the property at networking events, site inspections, and client presentations as needed.

Vendor & Partner Management:

Develop and maintain relationships with preferred vendors and external service providers. Coordinate vendor services including audiovisual, entertainment, transportation, décor, production, and specialty event partners. Ensure vendor compliance with property standards, insurance requirements, and operational procedures. Negotiate vendor agreements and service arrangements when applicable. Monitor vendor performance to ensure quality service and alignment with guest expectations.

Team Leadership & Development:

Lead, mentor, and develop Event Managers, Event Coordinators, and Event Services team members. Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate team members to ensure high performance and professional growth. Establish departmental goals, service standards, and performance expectations. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and service excellence. Manage staffing levels, scheduling, and workload distribution to meet business demands. Conduct regular department meetings and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

Partner closely with Sales & Catering, Banquets, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Rooms Division, Housekeeping, Engineering, Security, and third-party vendors. Lead operational communication meetings to ensure all departments are aligned on event requirements and expectations. Facilitate effective communication between departments to support seamless event execution. Collaborate with leadership teams to resolve operational challenges and improve service delivery. Ensure all departments are informed of schedule changes, VIP requirements, and event updates.

Revenue & Financial Management:

Drive profitability and financial performance of the Events department. Monitor event revenues, labor expenses, and departmental operating costs. Identify opportunities for upselling, enhancements, and revenue generation. Review contracts, event specifications, and operational requirements to maximize profitability. Partner with Sales & Catering leadership to achieve revenue goals and business objectives. Assist with annual budget preparation, forecasting, and financial planning processes. Monitor departmental expenses and implement cost-control measures while maintaining service quality. Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. 5+ years of progressive experience in Event Services, Conference Services, Catering, or Hospitality Operations, including leadership responsibility. Experience managing luxury weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, social events, and VIP experiences in a hotel, resort, or high-volume hospitality environment. Proven success leading teams, managing client relationships, and executing complex events while maintaining exceptional service standards. Strong understanding of event operations, banquet services, budgeting, forecasting, and revenue management. Skills/Specialized Knowledge Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage high-performing teams. Exceptional organizational, project management, and multitasking abilities with strong attention to detail. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, labor costs, forecasting, and revenue-generating initiatives. Ability to anticipate challenges, solve problems proactively, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, event management systems, and hospitality software platforms. Physical Demands Ability to work in a fast-paced hospitality environment while maintaining exceptional service and professionalism. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during events, site visits, and operational meetings. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds as necessary. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on business demands and event schedules. Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Why Join Proper Hospitality At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we're committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together. Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it's an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper , we show up with warmth and authenticity ( Care Proper ), strive for excellence in everything we do ( Achieve Proper ), think creatively and resourcefully ( Imagine Proper ), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are ( Present Proper ). We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment:

Building the Best Place to Work Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically. At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together , for our guests and for one another. Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.