Director of Visitor Services & Hospitality

Job Description

Company Description

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Kings County Distillery is New York City’s oldest operating whiskey distillery since Prohibition, founded in 2010 in the historic 115-year-old Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The distillery produces handmade moonshine and bourbon using New York–grown grain and traditional copper stills, emphasizing sustainable and traditional methods. Its whiskeys have received numerous awards from leading industry organizations, and its bourbon has been recognized among the top craft bourbons in the United States. Kings County Distillery is dedicated solely to distilling whiskey under its own label and offers public tours and tastings, creating an engaging visitor experience.

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Position Overview

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• The Director of Visitor Services & Hospitality is responsible for the overall visitor experience at Kings County Distillery, from the moment a guest arrives at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, encompassing their tour, tasting, retail experience, private event, or departure.
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• This is a hands-on leadership position combining hospitality, guest experience, retail, tours and education, events, staff management, and revenue generation. The Director will build and lead a high-performing visitor services team while developing an experience that reflects the character and quality of Kings County Distillery.
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• The ideal candidate is an exceptional host and people leader who understands that hospitality is both an art and a business. They should be equally comfortable welcoming a first-time whiskey drinker, entertaining an important industry guest, training a tour guide, managing a busy Saturday, or developing a new visitor experience.
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BAR & VISITOR SERVICES OPERATIONS

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Staffing & Training

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• Hire and oversee all bar, visitor services, support, cleaning company, and freelance/contract staff.
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• Conduct onboarding and training for new hires.
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• Manage ongoing staff communication, expectations, and operational needs.
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• Create monthly bar schedules and coordinate staffing coverage.
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Bar Program & Menu Development

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• Create and implement seasonal cocktail menus on a quarterly basis.
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• Develop specialty cocktail menus for sales-driven events and special programming.
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• Create holiday-specific cocktail menus.
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• Develop and maintain bar standards, service procedures, and operational workflows, including knowledge of DOH compliance.
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Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

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• Manage weekly payroll for bar and visitor services staff
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• Track and reconcile staff tips
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• Complete bank deposits and reconcile petty cash.
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• Maintain and review daily cash sheets.
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• Monitor bar inventory and place orders based on established order sheets
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• Maintain accurate operational and financial records related to bar service.
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Bar Prep & Daily Operations

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• Coordinate and communicate weekly prep responsibilities with the prep team through text, prep sheets, and other operational tools.
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• Ensure bar prep, inventory, and service needs are completed in advance of regular service and events.
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• Coordinate with cleaning and support teams to maintain operational standards.
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TOUR DEPARTMENT & VISITOR EXPERIENCE

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Tour Department Oversight

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• Oversee the tour department and work closely with the Tour Manager to support the department’s day-to-day needs.
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• Assist the Tour Manager with operational, staffing, programming, and visitor experience needs as required.
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COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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Gatehouse and Tours Community Building

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• Target and reach out to community organizations that could build partnerships and relationships to expand distillery customer base. 
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• Program various events and activities to bring in audiences, e.g. Trivia Night, Concerts, DJs, Comedy, pet rescues, etc. 
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• Focus on affinity groups and organizations that have young audiences for gratis programming in order to build and retain an audience. 
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• Work with Brooklyn Navy Yard to ensure programming is visible to Yard Tenants, as well as DUMBO bid, NYC Tourism, and other local business improvement districts for community and visibility. 
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Programming & Guest Experience

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• Plan, organize, and execute regular programming designed to increase visitation and enhance the visitor experience.
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• Develop and manage food pop-ups and and a vendor list of complimentary food programming to help activate the bar and extend visitors stay and spend. 
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• Focus on a calendar of seasonal events to create variety and familiarity within the year. 
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Social Media and Marketing 

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• Assist in the creation of social content related to visiting the tasting room and tours. 
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• Working closely with company leadership and the marketing team to coordinate posts related to visitor services. 
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EVENT MANAGEMENT

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Event Planning & Sales Coordination

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• Follow the established event planning workflow from initial lead through event execution.
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• Plan and manage events generated through Tripleseat leads, Brooklyn Navy Yard connections, referrals, and word of mouth.
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• Use Tripleseat as the primary system for event planning, client correspondence, and event management.
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• Maintain consistent communication with clients throughout the planning process.
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• Coordinate with client-selected vendors and outside event partners.
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• Schedule and conduct client walkthroughs, including up to three walkthroughs when needed.
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Event Execution

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• Create customized cocktail and beverage menus for private and special events.
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• Determine event staffing needs and schedule appropriate staff.
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• Coordinate event-day logistics with clients, vendors, internal staff, and outside partners.
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• Create a detailed Run of Show for every event.
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• Oversee event execution and ensure that the event runs according to the agreed-upon plan.
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• Act as the primary operational point person for events from planning through completion.
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• Make sure regular business is least interrupted by event business by providing alternate avenues for tours, beverages, and retail during buyout events.
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Kings County Distillery offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience, along with opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.

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Position: Director of Visitor Services & Hospitality

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Location: Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY

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Reports to: Senior Management

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Employment: Full-time

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Salary Range: Competitive Base Salary + Commission + Incentives & Bonuses- 60,000-80,000/yr OTE

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How to Apply

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Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in Kings County Distillery to View email address on ziprecruiter.com.