Director of Hospitality

DBHF, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, seeks its next Director of Hospitality. The Foundation’s mission includes the preservation of its c. 1825 historic house and garden, a museum open for public tours, a professional membership association and an educational scholarship program. In recent decades, the House has also been utilized as a social club with member amenities and overnight guest accommodation, a catering business, and a private event venue. The Foundation recently launched a new LLC, 1801 F Street Hospitality, to manage these aspects of its operations. The Director is responsible for managing all aspects of the LLC, including the sale and execution of private events, oversight of key staff (events coordinator, front of house manager and head chef), and marketing of our hospitality and club offerings, in consultation with the Executive Director and other senior staff directors. This role requires extremely good planning skills and experience with running a catering business. The role involves working closely with event clients, members and guests. The role also requires high-touch hospitality, given the diplomatic and member-facing nature of the organization, as well as the expectation for executive-level discretion, professionalism, and cross-department operational leadership. Flexibility is essential, given the duties can be unpredictable on occasion. Key Responsibilities Management and Leadership Develop and implement forward-thinking strategic approach to leading the LLC. Oversee staff recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance oversight across hospitality, housekeeping, kitchen, and event operations functions. Provide operational policy development and implementation, including guest room policies, private event procedures, risk-management protocols, and workplace compliance standards. Carry out oversight of labor, safety, licensing, and operational compliance matters, including coordination related to workplace safety and food service standards. Lead with teamwork and customer service focus to ensure excellent client experiences. Marketing Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy to drive the following metrics: Guest room utilization by non-members Private event rental utilization by non-members Catering services to off-site clients Public attendance at selected events Consult with Foundation colleagues on related marketing efforts for membership recruitment/retention, member program events, and donor cultivation. Finance and budget Work within the LLC operating budget assigned in any given year. Contribute to annual budget forecasting, strategic visioning, and regular planning processes. Compare pricing and events to the DC market, researching current competitors. Conduct vendor and contractor procurement, negotiation, compliance, oversight, and operational relationship management. Private Event Sales and Execution Represent Bacon House as a top-class event venue with an excellent reputation, while cultivating strong customer connections for repeat reservations. Engage in revenue development responsibilities connected to private events, hospitality operations, guest rooms, catering services, and strategic operational growth initiatives. Manage and meet with clients, provide tours of the facility. Manage reservations, inquiries, and estimates and secure contracts and deposits. Facilitate crisis management and real-time operational decision-making during events, VIP functions, overnight guest operations, and facility-related emergencies. Member Programs and Support Work with the Director of Programs and Communication to schedule events and programs. Ensure House and Catering staff carry out set-up and service needs of all events as ordered. Serve as staff support for the LLC Advisory Council. Oversee the head chef and front of house manager to ensure culinary and beverage service excellence, in compliance with appropriate laws, regulations and internal requirements, including health and safety inspections. Reciprocal Clubs & Guest Room Accommodations Oversee overnight guest accommodations and hospitality experience standards consistent with a private club and historic venue environment. Oversee reciprocal club arrangements and consult with volunteer committee on expanding reciprocal club exchanges and utilization. Candidate Requirements Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field and 7+ years of progressive hospitality management experience, including 3+ years at the director or general manager level; or 10+ years of progressive hospitality management experience, including 3+ years at the director or general manager level, in lieu of a degree. A proven record in event sales and catering operations, from inquiry through contract to execution. P&L and budget management experience, including pricing, cost control, and forecasting. Experience supervising culinary, housekeeping, and front-of-house teams. Working knowledge of food safety, alcohol service, and workplace health & safety rules and regulations. Preferred Experience in a private club, boutique hotel, catering company or event venue. Experience with reciprocal club arrangements. Experience working in a nonprofit. Marketing experience across digital, social, email and partnerships, with the ability to show results. Location and Work Requirements This position is full-time in-person. The primary workplace is at the historic DACOR Bacon House at 18th and F Streets NW in Washington, DC. A limited amount of work in this position may be done remotely. Work is generally performed in an office setting, but staff may be required to work in other settings conducive to performing the tasks required to complete assignments. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Compensation Range $85,000 - $95,000, depending on experience. Benefit package includes paid annual and sick leave, 11 federal holidays plus six-day winter break, health benefits, retirement plan and transit subsidy. #J-18808-Ljbffr