Area Director of Banquets

Proper Hospitality is seeking an Area Director of Banquets to lead banquet operations across two distinct luxury destinations: Montauk Yacht Club, our 107-room waterfront resort within The Collective, and Shelborne by Proper in Miami Beach. At Montauk Yacht Club, set on 35 acres on Star Island, guests find waterfront views, a private beach, three pools, multiple dining options, and over 200 wet slips that can accommodate boats from small day cruisers to 300-foot superyachts. Shelborne brings the energy and design-forward spirit of South Beach, with a historic Miami Beach address. Each property has its own identity, clientele, and seasonality, and this role ensures both deliver the same elevated, boutique luxury experience.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Multi-Property Leadership & Operations:

  • Oversee banquet operations at Montauk Yacht Club and Shelborne, ensuring flawless execution aligned with luxury service standards at both properties.

  • Lead, mentor, and hold accountable the on-property banquet leaders at each location, and divide time strategically between properties based on event calendars, seasonality, and business needs.

  • Develop, standardize, and maintain SOPs for service, setup, breakdown, and event flow, adapting them to each property's venues and guest profile.

  • Ensure consistent adherence to brand standards, health and safety regulations, and local licensing and liquor requirements in New York and Florida.

  • Plan and coordinate resource sharing across properties, including staffing, equipment, and expertise, during peak periods and large-scale events.

• Event Planning & Guest Experience:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, providing personalized planning guidance and anticipatory service.

  • Collaborate with clients, planners, and internal departments to customize menus, décor, timelines, and overall event design.

  • Conduct pre-event meetings and site inspections, ensuring all details are documented and communicated clearly to operations teams.

  • Maintain an unwavering commitment to service excellence, ensuring every event reflects the boutique luxury identity of both Montauk Yacht Club and Shelborne.

• Sales & Revenue Management:

  • Develop and execute strategic banquet sales initiatives to achieve revenue and profitability targets at each property.

  • Forecast revenue, labor, and operating expenses; manage departmental budgets for both properties with precision.

  • Create compelling banquet packages, pricing strategies, and upsell opportunities in partnership with each property's Executive Chef and the Director of Sales & Marketing.

  • Cultivate relationships with corporate clients, social planners, destination wedding specialists, and community partners to drive new business in both markets.

  • Identify opportunities to cross-promote the two properties to clients seeking multiple venues or seasonal programming.

• Team Development & Culture:

  • Recruit, train, and retain top talent, fostering a culture of professionalism, empowerment, and continuous improvement.

  • Build a deep bench of banquet managers, captains, servers, and bartenders, and create development paths and cross-property growth opportunities.

  • Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching to elevate service consistency and team engagement.

  • Champion cross-departmental collaboration to deliver cohesive, seamless event experiences.

• Quality Assurance & Innovation:

  • Continuously evaluate guest feedback, industry trends, and competitive offerings in both markets to refine and elevate banquet and catering services.

  • Introduce innovative concepts, sustainable practices, and elevated culinary and beverage experiences tailored to luxury clientele.

  • Oversee inventory, equipment maintenance, and vendor relationships to ensure best-in-class resources, leveraging scale across properties where possible.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field preferred.

• Minimum 7-10 years of leadership experience in luxury hotels, resorts, or high-end event venues, including prior experience as a Director of Banquets, Catering, or Events.

• Experience overseeing multiple properties or venues strongly preferred.

• Proven track record of event sales success and operational excellence.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead through others and develop property-level banquet and catering leaders.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and client-relationship skills.

• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.

• Ability to manage multiple events and priorities across locations in a fast-paced environment.

• Sophisticated understanding of luxury service standards and event design trends.

• Working knowledge of health and safety, licensing, and liquor regulations in New York and Florida.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), event management software, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods during event set-up and operations.

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (e.g., equipment, event materials, or supplies).

• Occasional bending, stooping, and reaching to perform tasks or manage inventory.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on event schedules.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between Montauk, NY and Miami Beach, FL.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.