Director of Food & Beverage - Banquets

Company Description Raffles Hotels & Resorts The Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Raffles is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.  Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment.  Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Join a dynamic team and be part of a network of 90 spectacular properties, and 34 more in the pipeline, in 30 countries around the globe. Our properties are located from the beaches of Hawaii, to the unspoiled national parks of Canada, to the heart of London, to the deserts of the United Arab Emirates. About Raffles & Fairmont Doha Discover two distinguished luxury brands united within the iconic Katara Towers at Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha — where extraordinary hospitality, timeless elegance, and world-class experiences come together. Raffles Doha offers an atmosphere of intimate luxury and bespoke service, where every detail is thoughtfully curated to create meaningful and memorable moments. Rooted in a legacy of elegance and artistry, Raffles is renowned for delivering gracious hospitality with authenticity, sophistication, and emotional connection. Fairmont Doha embodies the spirit of grand hospitality, blending contemporary style with the warmth and energy for which the Fairmont brand is celebrated worldwide. With a focus on exceptional service, vibrant guest experiences, and a deep sense of place, Fairmont creates unforgettable stays for today’s global traveler. Together, Raffles & Fairmont Doha provide a dynamic and inspiring environment for hospitality professionals who are passionate about excellence. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture that values individuality, nurtures talent, and empowers colleagues to create remarkable experiences every day. About The Application Process At Raffles & Fairmont Doha, we want to bring out your highest potential. Shortly after applying, you will receive an email from our partner AssessFirst prompting you to create a profile and complete a questionnaire. This is a mandatory step for your candidacy to be considered as it enables us to explore your compatibility with this role and our culture of luxury excellence. Job Description We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Raffles & Fairmont Doha as our new Director of Food & Beverage - Banquets. The Director of Food & Beverage – Banquets is a strategic and commercially driven senior leader responsible for the overall performance, positioning, and operational excellence of the Banquets and Events operation across Raffles & Fairmont Doha. The role leads the delivery of exceptional luxury experiences across conferences, weddings, social celebrations, corporate events, and large-scale functions, while maximizing revenue, profitability, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Working closely with Sales & Marketing, Culinary, Finance, Rooms, and Events teams, the Director develops and executes the banquet strategy, driving business growth, optimizing resources, and ensuring seamless execution of high-profile events. Key Responsibilities: • Lead the strategic direction and overall performance of the Banquets & Events operation across Raffles & Fairmont Doha • Drive banquet revenue, profitability, productivity, and cost efficiency in line with business objectives • Partner with Sales & Events to maximize business opportunities, conversion, and event revenue • Oversee the seamless delivery of luxury weddings, conferences, corporate events, and social functions • Champion exceptional service standards, guest experience, and operational excellence across all events • Lead and develop the Banquets leadership team, strengthening talent, engagement, and succession planning • Collaborate closely with Culinary, Sales, Finance, Rooms, and Events teams to ensure seamless event execution • Optimize resources, staffing, equipment, and operational processes to enhance efficiency and profitability • Drive innovation in event experiences, menus, service concepts, and banquet offerings • Monitor market trends, guest feedback, and business performance to identify growth opportunities • Ensure compliance with brand standards, food safety, licensing, and operational governance • Represent Banquets at senior leadership level and contribute to the overall F&B and hotel strategy Qualifications What will you bring to this role? • Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field • Minimum 8–10 years of progressive F&B and Banquets leadership experience within luxury or five-star hospitality • Proven experience managing large-scale events, weddings, conferences, and high-profile functions • Strong commercial acumen with experience driving revenue, profitability, and cost optimization • Strong leadership and people-development skills with experience managing large, multicultural teams • Excellent understanding of luxury service standards, event operations, and guest experience • Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills • Proven ability to manage complex operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment • Experience with leading international luxury hotel brands is an advantage • Fluent English; additional languages are an advantage • Embrace the Raffles & Fairmont brand promise and luxury in your role and in all your interactions • Foster an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected • Create an environment where colleagues are empowered, supported and recognized Additional Information Employee Benefits Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive colleague perks, including complimentary upgrades, extended stays, discounted stays across Fairmont & Raffles properties, special dining and wellness discounts, and added luxuries to enhance your experience. We believe in taking care of our team, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded with exceptional benefits. Our Values Respect: We value the needs, ideas and individuality of others. We treat everyone with fairness and dignity.  Excellence: We make genuine connections, and we cherish every opportunity to make the people around us feel special. Belonging: We celebrate our differences. We support each other and we always stand together. Empowerment: We have authority to take initiative and anticipate moments that create unforgettable experiences.  Integrity: We build trust through mutual respect and being authentic. Diversity & Inclusion We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.