Description

Summary

Thompson Palm Springs Resort is seeking an exceptional Director of Catering & Special Events to join our Leadership Team and lead one of Southern California's most exciting resort event destinations.

Since opening in 2024, Thompson Palm Springs has quickly established itself as the desert's most coveted lifestyle resort in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Showcasing iconic mid-century modern design, bungalow-inspired accommodations, iconic dining, and vibrant social experiences, the resort has become a sought-after destination for discerning travelers, luxury weddings, milestone celebrations, brand activations, corporate retreats, and high-profile events.

The resort features Lola Rose, a bold Eastern Mediterranean dining experience inspired by the spice markets of Istanbul and the seasonal bounty of California, alongside Bar Issi, an elevated coastal Italian concept that blends relaxed luxury with coastal culinary sophistication. Two expansive pool experiences, immersive mountain views, the HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room, and over 35,000 square feet of dynamic indoor and outdoor event venues provide endless opportunities for unforgettable gatherings.

Thompson Palm Springs was recently recognized among Condé Nast Traveler's Top 10 Best New Hotels in the World (2026) and ranked the #1 Hotel in Southern California in the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards (2025).

Reporting directly to the Director of Sales & Marketing and Managing Director, this highly visible leadership role is responsible for driving all catering, wedding, special event, and local production business for the resort. The Director of Catering & Special Events will lead a team of 1 Event Planning Manager and future catering team members as business grows. The ideal candidate is a strategic revenue leader, relationship builder, and creative visionary with a proven track record of attracting and executing luxury weddings, celebrity and VIP events, large-scale social celebrations, key brand activations, experiential programming, and high-profile productions.

This individual will play a critical role in positioning Thompson Palm Springs as the premier destination for luxury weddings, social events, and one-of-a-kind experiences throughout Southern California.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, revenue generation, and daily operations of the Catering, Events, and Event Planning departments.
• Establish Thompson Palm Springs as the leading luxury wedding and social event destination in the Coachella Valley and Southern California.
• Demonstrates advanced financial acumen with responsibility for monthly forecasting, pace analysis, and revenue optimization, consistently identifying opportunities to maximize catering and event profitability while controlling expenses.
• Utilizes historical trends, market intelligence, and booking pace to develop accurate forecasts, drive strategic pricing decisions, and ensure achievement of event revenue, profit, and contribution goals
• Develop and execute innovative sales and marketing strategies that drive weddings, milestone celebrations, corporate retreats, luxury buyouts, brand activations, influencer events, fashion events, film/photo productions, and large-scale experiential programming.
• Cultivate relationships with luxury wedding planners, event designers, production companies, entertainment agencies, destination management companies, and key industry influencers.
• Drive revenue growth across all event segments while maintaining rate integrity and maximizing profitability.
• Partner with ownership and executive leadership to identify new event concepts, unique programming opportunities, and emerging revenue streams.
• Oversee all aspects of event sales, planning, servicing, and execution to ensure flawless guest experiences.
• Evaluate each event opportunity to ensure operational excellence, profitability, and alignment with the Thompson brand.
• Collaborate closely with Culinary, Food & Beverage, Operations, and Revenue Management teams to create distinctive event experiences and innovative menu offerings.
• Lead the strategy and execution of luxury weddings, multi-day celebrations, welcome receptions, farewell brunches, and destination wedding experiences.
• Drive production business including film shoots, commercial productions, content creation, luxury automotive launches, fashion events, and entertainment industry gatherings.
• Maintain strong relationships with preferred vendors, entertainment partners, floral designers, production companies, audiovisual providers, and event agencies.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging event concepts to continuously elevate the resort's positioning.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Event Sales and Planning team while fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and exceptional service.
• Ensure all events reflect the sophistication, style, and lifestyle ethos synonymous with the Thompson brand.

Qualifications

• Proven success selling and executing luxury weddings, high-end social events, destination celebrations, brand activations, experiential events, and large-scale productions.
• Established network of luxury wedding planners, event designers, production agencies, and entertainment industry contacts throughout Southern California and key feeder markets.
• Experience generating and managing $3-6M+ in annual catering and event revenue within a luxury hotel, resort, or lifestyle hospitality environment.

This is an exempt (salaried) role. The budgeted salary range for this position is $92,400 - $147,600 and eligible for earned incentive. This is the pay range for this position that Thompson Palm Springs reasonably expects to pay. Decisions regarding individual salaries will be based on a number of factors including experience and education.

Why work for Thompson Palm Springs?

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance eligibility after 30 days of employment.
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan & Company Match
• Paid Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance Program
• Free & Discounted Hotel Rooms at Hyatt Hotels around the World!

Our Values: Empathy | Integrity | Respect | Inclusion | Experimentation | Wellbeing

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.