Banquet Director at National Press Club

Role SummaryThis is a hands-on leadership and strategic management role responsible for the full banquet operation and its cross-departmental teams. The Director of Banquets oversees:Banquet Managers (rotational leadership team)Banquet CaptainsHouse Servers & Outlet ServersBartenders (house & on-call)Porters & Equipment TeamHousekeeping support for event spacesThe Director sets the tone, drives performance, coaches the team, and ensures every event—from a small meeting to a national broadcast—runs at the highest standard. This leader balances daily execution with long-term planning, hiring, labor control, training, and overall operational excellence. Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & OperationsProvide overall direction and leadership for the banquet department and support teams Oversee all daily banquet operations in partnership with two Banquet Managers on rotating shifts (open/mid/close).Maintain a visible presence on the floor, ensuring service execution aligns with BEOs, diagrams, timelines, and Club standards.Develop and refine SOPs for setups, service flow, room turnover, pacing, staff communication, and client interaction.Lead process improvements that enhance efficiency, speed, and consistency.Serve as senior point of escalation for client concerns, service issues, staffing conflicts, and operational challenges.  Staffing, Hiring, Training, & Performance ManagementOversee hiring for banquet staff, bartenders, porters, servers, captains, and on-call personnel.Create and implement onboarding, training programs, refreshers, and skill-development workshops. Build a motivated team culture through steady coaching, reinforcement, recognition, and clear expectations. Conduct performance reviews and partner with HR on documentation, corrective action, and development plans. Ensure staffing levels are appropriate for business needs and event volume. Labor Management & Scheduling (Including OT Control)Own the banquet labor budget and ensure staffing aligns with revenue, service levels, and projected business.Partner with Banquet Managers to build weekly schedules that minimize overtime while meeting operational requirements.Track daily labor, identify trends, anticipate staffing needs, and proactively adjust coverage.Apply the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) consistently when making scheduling, assignment, and discipline decisions. Event Execution & Client ServiceGuide pre-shift briefings to align the team on service expectations and event details.Hold the team accountable for room readiness, equipment placement, cleanliness, and safety.Ensure flawless transitions between setups, services, and strikes across multiple events.Support Banquet Managers in acting as Managers-on-Duty for large or high-profile programs.Maintain professionalism, service presence, and rapid decision-making under pressure. Cross-Departmental CollaborationWork closely with Catering/Events, Kitchen, AV/BOC, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Security to ensure event success.Communicate operational needs clearly and ensure all teams understand timelines, setups, and service expectations.Participate in daily and weekly production meetings and post-event reviews.   Qualifications5–7+ years of banquet or hospitality management, with at least 3 years at a senior or departmental leadership level.Proven leadership of large, diverse service teams (25–50+ staff during live events).Strong experience with labor forecasting, scheduling, and overtime management.Demonstrated success hiring, training, and developing staff at all levels.Solid working knowledge of union environments and Washington, D.C. CBA guidelines.Ability to remain calm, confident, and diplomatic during fast-paced, high-pressure situations.Strong operational eye for room layouts, equipment, service pacing, and standards.Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand/walk for extended periods.Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays.Bilingual/multilingual candidates encouraged to apply. Why This Role MattersThe Director of Banquets sets the tone for every event and every guest experience at the Club. This leader strengthens the operation through:Strong staffing and labor disciplineConsistent standards and trainingHigh-quality service and executionMotivated, confident teamsSmooth cross-departmental coordinationThis is a pivotal role that shapes service culture and operational stability across the National Press Club’s most visible and busiest department.