Food and Beverage Event Director

Position Overview Event Hospitality Solutions (EHS) is seeking an experienced **Event Director** to take ownership of large\-scale food \& beverage events from initial planning through final financial settlement. The Event Director serves as the primary owner of the event, building the operation from the ground up and coordinating all internal departments, client stakeholders, distributors, sponsors, and event personnel required for successful execution. This position requires a unique combination of **project management, financial management, client relations, food \& beverage operations, leadership, and hands\-on event experience**. The Event Director works closely with the assigned **Event Bar Operations Lead**, dividing responsibilities while maintaining overall accountability for the success and financial performance of the event. Key ResponsibilitiesEvent Planning \& Project Ownership * Own assigned events from initial planning through post\-event settlement and closeout. * Build and maintain a comprehensive **event playbook** covering operational plans, timelines, bar locations, product needs, staffing, equipment, POS, logistics, and key event details. * Develop event timelines, deadlines, deliverables, and departmental responsibilities. * Schedule and lead weekly internal event planning meetings. * Schedule and participate in regular external planning meetings with clients and key partners. * Identify operational challenges early and coordinate solutions across departments. Client, Sponsor \& Distributor Relations * Serve as a primary EHS contact for the client throughout the planning and execution process. * Develop strong working relationships with client representatives and venue/event partners. * Communicate and coordinate with beverage distributors, suppliers, and sponsorship partners. * Ensure sponsored products, activations, placements, and operational commitments are properly incorporated into the event plan. * Coordinate product needs and ordering strategy with the Event Bar Operations Lead and appropriate distributors. Budget \& Financial Management * Develop the event's operating budget and maintain responsibility for financial performance. * Monitor and control event expenses throughout the planning and execution process. * Review purchases and spending against approved budgets. * Track and report event\-related expenses accurately and on schedule. * Identify opportunities to manage costs without compromising operational execution or guest experience. * Gather required financial information following the event. * Complete the **final event financial settlement** and required post\-event reporting. Cross\-Department Coordination The Event Director acts as the central point of communication between the event and EHS departments, including: * Staffing * Travel * Point of Sale * Finance \& Accounting * Warehouse \& Logistics * Food \& Beverage Operations * Event Bar Operations The Event Director is responsible for ensuring each department has accurate information, deadlines, quantities, schedules, and expectations necessary to execute the event successfully. Event Bar Operations Partnership * Work closely with the assigned **Event Bar Operations Lead** throughout planning and execution. * Establish a clear division of responsibilities between administrative/project management needs and field/bar operations. * Coordinate equipment, product, warehouse, bar builds, layouts, and operational requirements. * Maintain consistent communication before, during, and after the event. * Ensure operational changes made on\-site are communicated and documented appropriately. On\-Site Event Execution * Serve as a senior EHS leader on\-site. * Oversee overall F\&B execution and ensure the operation follows the approved event plan. * Coordinate with the client and internal teams as conditions change. * Resolve operational issues quickly and professionally. * Monitor staffing, product, equipment, POS, service levels, and expenses throughout the event. * Lead post\-event closeout and ensure required information is collected before teams depart. Required Qualifications * Experience managing large\-scale live events, festivals, hospitality operations, food \& beverage operations, or similarly complex projects. * Strong project management and organizational skills. * Demonstrated experience creating and managing budgets. * Strong financial awareness and ability to control and report expenses. * Excellent client\-facing communication and relationship\-management skills. * Ability to lead meetings and coordinate multiple departments simultaneously. * Strong computer skills and proficiency with **Microsoft 365**, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams. * Strong spreadsheet skills and comfort working with budgets, financial reports, event documents, and shared files. * Ability to learn and work within company systems for POS, staffing, travel, finance, inventory, and event planning. * Strong written communication and documentation skills. * Ability to make sound decisions in fast\-moving, high\-pressure event environments. * Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including weekends, multi\-day events, and irregular schedules. What Success Looks Like A successful EHS Event Director keeps the entire event moving in the same direction. Clients are informed, internal departments know what is expected of them, budgets are controlled, deadlines are met, the Event Bar Operations Lead has the information and resources needed to execute in the field, and the event is financially and operationally closed out promptly after completion. The Event Director doesn't simply manage the event while it is happening—they **build the plan, lead the process, execute the event, and close the books.** Compensation \& Benefits * Competitive compensation based on experience * Company\-covered qualifying travel expenses * Per diem during qualifying event travel * Opportunity to lead major festivals and live events nationwide * Professional growth opportunities within EHS Pay: $52,390\.32 \- $63,093\.72 per year Work Location: On the road