Director, Catering & Event Services

Overview The Milken Institute seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Catering & Event Services to lead the planning, execution, and service delivery for events at the new Milken Center in Washington, DC. The Center includes a 250-seat theater, banquet spaces for up to 350, and breakout rooms for high-profile public and private programming. This senior department leader will build a high-performing event services team and establish policies and procedures for a newly established cultural venue, ensuring exceptional service, operational excellence, and hospitality standards for all events. Base pay range $140,000.00/yr - $155,000.00/yr Responsibilities Develop and lead the Event Services department, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management of event managers and support staff. Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in defining operational goals, service benchmarks, and team structure to support a diverse portfolio of events. Foster a high-touch, client-focused culture aligned with the Institute’s mission and the hospitality standards of a premium venue. Serve as the primary point of contact for Center events, providing guidance from contracting through execution and post-event evaluation. Manage event walkthroughs, planning meetings, production timelines, and post-event debriefs to ensure flawless execution and continuous improvement. Lead cross-functional coordination with internal departments (development, programming, marketing, AV) and external partners (caterers, security). Oversee event budgeting, forecasting, and financial reconciliation, including billing reviews, contract compliance, and revenue enhancement through strategic upselling. Manage the venue event calendar and scheduling system, resolving booking conflicts and ensuring optimal space utilization. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and service protocols across event lifecycle stages. Ensure events meet environmental, health, and safety standards, including pre-event inspections and incident response planning. Monitor and enforce service-level standards for setup, cleanliness, staffing, and guest readiness across all event spaces. Duties as assigned. Stay informed on industry trends, competitor benchmarks, and local market demands to evolve offerings and remain competitive in the DC special events marketplace. Partner with the Business Development team to align service delivery with client expectations, proactively contributing to retention, referrals, and repeat business. Qualifications 10+ years of progressive experience in event operations or conference services, including 5+ years in a leadership role at a luxury hotel, special event venue, or association/corporate event environment. Demonstrated success managing large, multi-day, high-profile events with complex client and stakeholder needs. Strong team-building and mentoring skills, with a proven ability to model professional service standards and motivate staff performance. Expertise in client service, event logistics, and operational coordination across departments. Fluency in reading and executing Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), contracts, and production documentation. Working knowledge of event management software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong attention to detail, fiscal responsibility, and polished communication skills. Working Conditions & Travel Requirements This position will work in a professional office environment five days a week, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for event execution. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute's sole discretion. Our Culture The Milken Institute is an equal employment opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, with leadership actively involved in fostering diversity and inclusion. Benefits Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity) Fertility Support Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Pet Insurance Discount Training & Development LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered Annual Mentor Program Wellness Resources Employee Assistance Program CALM app membership Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Management and Manufacturing Industries Think Tanks #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17