Director of Event Operations (Leave Coverage May 2025 - May 2026)

Recognized as the #2 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views. The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, exceptional service and inspired food & beverage are the hallmarks of every dining experience. Utilize your leadership skills as Director, Event Operations where your passion for both guest service and our food & beverage offerings will ensure an engaged team, consistent guest satisfaction and outstanding operating results.

What is in it for you: 

• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world! 
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program 
• Complementary housing on property for up to 3 months
• Complimentary uniform laundering
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs
• Competitive salary starting at $78,000

What you will be doing:

Reporting to the Director of food and beverage, responsibilities and essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure the smooth daily operation of the banquet department as well as all banquet bar services.
• Meet clients for specific rooms and functions
• Responsible for daily operation by managing on the floor
• Review all banquet event orders to ensure proper set-ups are in place and correct
• Responsible for critically assessing procedures, policies, and methods of operation and alter them where necessary.
• Responsible for the financial success of the department by monitoring productivity, revenues and costs.
• Ensure all financial reporting is maintained and accurate (billing, payroll, etc.)
• Responsible for building relationships with the Conference Services Department to ensure that a common vision in direction is shared and our customer's expectations are exceeded. 
• Responsible for building relationships with other Food & Beverage departments to ensure that all resources are being equally shared and that the entire division operates as a team.
• Responsible for ensuring that all equipment, fixtures, and furniture of the department are kept in good supply and in the best repair possible.
• Maintain and ensure that all function information is kept up to date with respect to all changes and/or revisions
• Participation in the budgeting process of the department by establishing clear and precise priorities for operational expenditures.
• Actively develop and maintain a safety culture within the department and ensure departmental adherence to and awareness of Health & Safety standards.
• Ensure departmental participation in all hotel-wide environmental initiatives, and to develop departmental specific environmental initiatives.
• Responsible for the smooth and efficient functioning of the day-to-day operations of the Event department including adherence to and the application of the provisions of the Collective Agreement.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a constructive, harmonious and communicative working relationship with all supporting departments.
• Contribute to a positive work environment and ensure all concerns are communicated to Event Management in timely fashion
• Coach and train the Event leadership team in all aspects of the department, monitoring their development and providing critical feedback and performance reviews.
• Responsible for ensuring guest satisfaction goals (VOG) for the Department are met and / or exceeded.
• Developing strong interpersonal relationships with guests on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for attendance at Leadership meetings, daily convention, pre-convention and other meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned

Your experience and skills include:

• Post-secondary Degree/Diploma in Hospitality, Food and Beverage Management, or related field an asset
• Minimum two years of experience in Food and Beverage Supervisor and/or Management position
• Supervisory/management experience in a banquet facility is an asset
• Serving it Right & Food Safe Level 1 Certification
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft programs including Word, Excel, and Outlook 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts
• Must be a highly organized individual with the ability to handle numerous tasks at any one time.
• The ability to delegate tasks to team members and facilitates their completion.
• Must have strong, proven leadership qualities and management skills.
• Must have proven departmental scheduling and operational productivity.
• Previous experience working in a unionized environment considered a strong asset
• The ability to recognize and correct guest service issues through an established presence on the Banquet floor.
• Must exhibit excellent communication skills.

Physical Aspects of Position (include but are not limited to):

• Requires long periods of standing and walking throughout the shift.  
• Regular movement to monitor and support various sections of the floor, including carrying light items such as menus or small trays when needed 

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS