Director of Banquet & Events - Vietnamese only

The Fairmont Hanoi will Grand opening in the Vietnamese capital in March 2026, making it the first Fairmont brand in the country. The 241-room luxury hotel will take design inspiration from the art of lacquer with the traditional colours of Vietnam, the Indochinese style from the French colonial period, and draws motifs from Vietnam’s dynasties. Positioned as an urban resort, our guests will be able to enjoy a very special and unique range of offerings such as eight dining and bar venues including a rooftop terrace, as well as two indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an extensive gym and an entire floor of wellness spa and bathhouse. For corporate and social groups, the Fairmont Hanoi will offer three ballrooms, the largest being a 1,100m2 grand ballroom as well as nine meeting rooms, making it an outstanding destination for meetings, conferencing and events. The Fairmont Hanoi is set to become the social epicentre of Hanoi!

The Director of Banquet & Events is responsible for the strategic leadership, financial performance, and operational excellence of all banquet and event operations. This role ensures the seamless execution of events while maximizing revenue, profitability, and guest satisfaction.

The position requires strong commercial acumen, operational discipline, and the ability to lead large teams in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.

Business & Revenue Performance

• Develop and manage the annual Banquet & Events business plan, including budget and forecast.
• Analyze monthly P&L and financial performance reports; identify variances and implement corrective actions.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic event positioning, upselling, and yield optimization.
• Collaborate with Sales to convert leads and maximize event revenue opportunities.
• Participate in Executive Committee and Management meetings to review departmental performance.
• Champion banquet revenue initiatives, including creative packages, promotional campaigns, and rebooking strategies.

Banquet & Event Operations

• Oversee all aspects of banquet and event execution, ensuring flawless delivery from inquiry to post-event follow-up.
• Work closely with Sales & Marketing on client inspections, site visits, and event planning.
• Lead coordination across Culinary, Stewarding, Engineering, Housekeeping, and Security to ensure event readiness.
• Partner with the Culinary team to develop innovative menus and elevated presentation standards aligned with brand positioning.
• Ensure comprehensive knowledge and application of:
  • Function room capacities and configurations
  • Banquet set-ups and technical requirements
  • Menu pricing and cost controls
  • Guarantee, cancellation, and payment policies
  • Corkage and miscellaneous charges
  • Shipping and receiving procedures
• Oversee post-event client engagement to ensure satisfaction and drive repeat business.
• Monitor all billing and payment processes in compliance with Accounting standards.
• Maintain banquet equipment inventory and ensure proper care, maintenance, and security.
• Ensure full compliance with safety, hygiene, and emergency procedures.

Event Strategy & Experience Excellence

• Curate innovative banquet concepts that enhance the hotel’s market positioning.
• Ensure consistent luxury service standards across all events.
• Oversee public area presentation and event-specific setups.
• Continuously benchmark competitor offerings and industry trends.
• Implement guest feedback mechanisms to improve event experiences.

Leadership & Team Management

• Recruit, interview, and select high-performing Banquet & Events team members.
• Build a strong leadership bench within the department.
• Conduct performance evaluations and coaching sessions.
• Develop structured training programs focused on service excellence, technical skills, and revenue awareness.
• Monitor grooming, professionalism, and brand representation standards.
• Prepare weekly staffing schedules aligned with business forecasts and productivity targets.
• Lead monthly departmental meetings to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular operational walk-throughs with Hygiene, Housekeeping, and Engineering teams.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in Banquet & Events leadership within a luxury hotel or large-scale convention property.
• Strong financial acumen with proven experience managing P&L.
• Demonstrated success in revenue growth and event sales conversion.
• Exceptional leadership and team development capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of event operations, food & beverage service standards, and banquet logistics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and client relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage large-scale, high-profile events under pressure.
• Additional certification(s) in Food & Beverage will be an advantage

Competencies

• Strong leadership, interpersonal and training skills
• Good communication and customer contact skills
• Results and service oriented with an eye for details
• Ability to multi-task, work well in stressful & high-pressure situations
• A team player & builder
• A motivator & self-starter
• Well-presented and professionally groomed at all times

This position is open to Vietnamese nationals only.