Director of Banquets

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Create Extraordinary Events. Lead with Purpose. Elevate Every Experience.

At Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, we believe exceptional events are more than perfectly executed details—they are meaningful experiences that guests, clients, and associates remember. Nestled against the iconic Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, our award-winning luxury resort is known for its intimate setting, elevated service, and genuine approach to hospitality.

We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and hands-on Director of Banquets to lead our banquet operation and bring exceptional events to life. This role is ideal for a hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in flawless execution, and knows that extraordinary service starts with a strong, engaged team.

If you are energized by creating memorable celebrations, developing high-performing teams, and delivering experiences that go beyond expectations, we would love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As Director of Banquets, you will provide strategic and hands-on leadership for the resort's banquet operation, overseeing weddings, meetings, conferences, social events, VIP functions, galas, and other catered experiences. You will work closely with Catering & Conference Services, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Sales, and resort leadership to ensure every event is thoughtfully planned, beautifully executed, and reflective of the Sanctuary experience.

You will be a visible leader for both our associates and our guests—setting the standard for service, creating confidence within your team, and ensuring every detail comes together seamlessly.

Key Responsibilities

Note: the following duties and responsibilities may not be all-inclusive

 

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, inspire, and develop Banquet managers, captains, servers, bartenders, housepersons, and other banquet associates.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, teamwork, and pride in service.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, and develop talented hospitality professionals.
• Establish clear expectations around service, attendance, grooming, productivity, safety, and professional conduct.
• Conduct regular coaching, performance conversations, evaluations, and recognition.
• Lead engaging pre-shift meetings that prepare associates for the events ahead, including menus, VIPs, allergies, timelines, service expectations, and special requests.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the banquet team.

Event Operations & Execution

• Oversee all aspects of banquet operations, ensuring seamless execution of weddings, meetings, conferences, social events, VIP functions, and other catered experiences.
• Review BEOs, event resumes, floor plans, guarantees, menus, timelines, billing instructions, and special requests to ensure complete operational readiness.
• Lead and participate in BEO, pre-convention, event planning, pre-shift, and daily operational meetings.
• Ensure event spaces are properly set, presented, and maintained according to BEOs, diagrams, safety requirements, and established luxury standards.
• Monitor event timing, food and beverage service, room transitions, staffing, and overall event flow.
• Anticipate operational needs and proactively address challenges before they impact the guest or client experience.
• Ensure banquet equipment, inventory, storage areas, and back-of-house spaces are organized, properly maintained, and ready for business.
• Maintain strong operational standards throughout the entire event lifecycle—from setup through breakdown.

Guest & Client Experience

• Serve as a visible and engaged leader throughout events, creating confidence for guests, clients, and associates.
• Build strong relationships with meeting planners, event hosts, wedding couples, VIP guests, and other clients.
• Respond to guest and client needs with professionalism, empathy, urgency, and thoughtful problem-solving.
• Participate in site tours, tastings, menu discussions, and client meetings as appropriate.
• Review guest and meeting planner feedback and translate insights into meaningful service improvements.
• Champion Sanctuary's approach to genuine, personalized hospitality and intentional experiences.

Financial & Business Performance

• Manage banquet labor in alignment with business forecasts, event requirements, productivity standards, and financial objectives.
• Oversee departmental budgets, forecasts, payroll, overtime, contract labor, supplies, and other controllable expenses.
• Monitor banquet revenue, labor costs, beverage costs, and departmental performance.
• Review banquet checks and event billing to ensure food, beverage, labor, enhancements, hosted bars, consumption charges, and applicable fees are accurately captured.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, revenue, and profitability.
• Continuously evaluate banquet procedures, staffing, and service standards to strengthen operational and financial performance.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner closely with Catering & Conference Services to ensure commitments made during the planning process are successfully delivered operationally.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Engineering, Security, Housekeeping, Stewarding, Audio Visual, Food & Beverage, Sales, Finance, and other resort departments.
• Maintain clear and proactive communication before, during, and after events.
• Create strong partnerships across the resort to ensure every department is aligned and prepared for the guest experience.
• Lead with transparency, professionalism, and a solutions-focused approach.

Requirements:

What We're Looking For

• Progressive leadership experience in Banquets, Catering, Food & Beverage, or Event Operations within a luxury hotel, resort, convention property, private club, or high-volume hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of banquet and catering operations, event setup, sequence of service, food and beverage service, and event execution.
• Proven ability to lead and develop large, diverse hospitality teams.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, payroll, labor management, cost control, and departmental performance.
• Ability to read, interpret, and execute BEOs, event resumes, floor plans, diagrams, guarantees, menus, timelines, and special event requirements.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with guests, clients, associates, and leadership.
• Ability to remain composed, adaptable, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced event environment.
• Working knowledge of POS systems, event management systems, scheduling software, Microsoft Office, and other hospitality technology.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other periods based on business needs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Responsible alcohol service and food safety certifications as required by local regulations.

Preferred Experience

• 5–7 years of progressive banquet, catering, event, or food & beverage leadership experience.
• 2–3 years of experience in a senior banquet or event leadership role.
• Experience overseeing weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, social events, VIP functions, and large-scale events.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, forecasts, payroll, labor productivity, and operating expenses.
• Previous luxury or Forbes-rated hotel or resort experience.
• Experience in a high-volume resort, convention hotel, luxury club, or destination property.
• Experience with luxury weddings and high-profile social events.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Creating events that feel effortless to the guest because your team is prepared, confident, and connected.
• Building a banquet team that takes pride in its work and consistently delivers exceptional service.
• Developing associates into confident hospitality professionals and future leaders.
• Creating strong partnerships across Catering, Culinary, and the broader resort team.
• Maintaining operational excellence while keeping the guest experience at the center of every decision.
• Understanding the business behind the banquet operation and driving strong financial performance.
• Being present, engaged, and visible—leading from the front and setting the tone for the team.
• Bringing Sanctuary's values of service, respect, teamwork, integrity, trust, ownership, and fun to life every day.

Why Sanctuary?

At Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, you'll join a team that believes extraordinary hospitality begins with how we care for one another. Our North Star Vision reminds us that everyone has a place with us and is valued and understood.

We believe in growing together, leading with purpose, and creating a workplace where pride and compassion meet. Here, you'll have the opportunity to shape memorable experiences for our guests while developing people, strengthening teams, and making a meaningful impact on one of Arizona's most celebrated luxury resorts.

Ready to lead extraordinary events at Sanctuary? Apply today and become part of the experience.