Associate Director of Events

Recess is where the everyday takes a break. Opening in Fall 2026, Recess Hotel & Club is bringing a new kind of hospitality to the heart of Savannah. Housed within the historic Manger Building, Recess blends a 221-room lifestyle hotel with a members club, rooftop pool, French brasserie, wellness club, coworking spaces, and lively social venues—all designed around one simple idea: life is better when there's room to play. Recess is the newest project from Left Lane , the team behind Hotel Bardo Savannah. In just one year, Bardo has earned Condé Nast Traveler's inaugural Triple Crown distinction —recognizing hotels that have achieved the publication's Hot List, Gold List, and Readers' Choice Awards—along with the inaugural Michelin Key designation and recognition from Travel + Leisure as one of the Best New Hotels of the Year. It's this same commitment to thoughtful hospitality and unforgettable experiences that we're bringing to Recess. We're building more than a hotel. We're building a team of people who believe great hospitality is thoughtful, personal, and a little unexpected. Whether you're welcoming guests, creating memorable meals, keeping the operation running seamlessly, or leading a team, every role helps shape the Recess experience from day one. If you're curious, collaborative, and excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up, we'd love to meet you. Find and seek. Stay here, play here. Welcome to Recess. About the role The Associate Director of Events supports the Director of Events in leading the strategic planning, execution, and overall success of the Events Department for Hotel Bardo and Hotel Recess . This position is responsible for overseeing a team of Event Managers, ensuring seamless execution of social, corporate, wedding, and group events while delivering exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment, possesses exceptional organizational and communication skills, and is passionate about creating memorable experiences through thoughtful planning and flawless execution. This role is based in Savannah . What you’ll do Leadership & Team Development Assist in leading, mentoring, and developing the Events team to achieve departmental and individual goals. Foster a collaborative, positive, and service-focused culture. Provide coaching, training, and performance feedback to Event Managers. Support recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and performance evaluations. Act as the department leader in the Director's absence. Event Planning & Client Relations Manage a portfolio of high-profile events, weddings, corporate meetings, and social celebrations. Build strong relationships with clients from initial planning through post-event follow-up. Conduct planning meetings, site visits, menu tastings, and pre-conference meetings. Ensure all event details are accurately documented in event management systems and communicated to operational departments. Anticipate client needs and proactively resolve challenges before they impact the guest experience. Operational Excellence Oversee execution of all events to ensure adherence to brand standards and client expectations. Partner closely with Culinary, Banquets, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Revenue teams to ensure flawless event execution. Review Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), rooming lists, diagrams, and billing instructions for accuracy. Monitor event quality and guest satisfaction while responding promptly to operational needs. Support achievement of departmental revenue and profitability goals. Monitor event profitability, food and beverage minimums, labor efficiencies, and upsell opportunities. Assist with forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. Review final billing for accuracy and ensure timely invoicing and collections. Sales & Business Development Collaborate with the Sales and Catering teams to maximize event revenue. Identify opportunities to increase banquet, catering, and ancillary revenue. Build relationships with local vendors, wedding planners, corporate partners, and community organizations. Participate in networking events, site tours, and industry functions to promote Hotel Bardo and Hotel Recess. Administrative Responsibilities Maintain accurate client files and event documentation. Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and contractual obligations. Prepare departmental reports and participate in weekly revenue, operations, and leadership meetings. Support continuous improvement initiatives and departmental standard operating procedures. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business, or related field preferred. Minimum 5 years of luxury hotel event management experience. Minimum 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role. Experience managing weddings, social events, corporate meetings, and group business. Strong knowledge of banquet operations, food & beverage service, and luxury guest expectations. Experience with Delphi, Opera, Cvent, or similar event management software preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Core Competencies Leadership and coaching Exceptional guest service Organization and attention to detail Problem-solving and decision-making Professional communication Time management Relationship building Adaptability in a fast-paced environment Cross-functional collaboration Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally. Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands. Ability to navigate multiple event spaces during active operations. Success Measures The Associate Director of Events will be evaluated on: Achievement of catering and event revenue goals Client satisfaction and event execution scores Team engagement and employee development Accuracy of event documentation and billing Operational efficiency and communication Growth in repeat business and client referrals Collaboration with hotel departments and leadership Why Recess? Build something from the beginning. Join the opening team behind one of Savannah's most anticipated lifestyle hotels and help shape the guest experience from day one. Take care of yourself. Medical, dental, vision, and wellness benefits for eligible full-time team members Company-matched 401(k) with fast vesting Up to 20 days of paid time off, paid holidays, and a paid birthday Complimentary daily team member meal Experience the brand. Complimentary two-night stay at HotelRecess & Club Savannah Team member discounts on dining, Saltgrass Spa treatments, retail, and The Cooking School at Saint Bibiana Complimentary fitness classes Travel farther. Employee rates at select Leading Hotels of the World properties Discounts at Highgate hotels worldwide Grow with Left Lane. Referral incentives and guest recognition programs Career development opportunities across a growing hospitality portfolio The opportunity to help shape one of hospitality's most exciting lifestyle brands #J-18808-Ljbffr