Milken Institute
Director, Catering & Event Services
Milken Institute, Santa Monica, California, United States, 90403
Join to apply for the
Director, Event Services
role at
Milken Institute Join to apply for the
Director, Event Services
role at
Milken Institute This range is provided by Milken Institute. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $140,000.00/yr - $155,000.00/yr About The Milken Institute
Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying.
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About The Position
The Milken Institute seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Event Services to lead the planning, execution, and service delivery for events at the new Milken Center in Washington, DC. The Center includes a 250-seat theater, banquet spaces for up to 350, and breakout rooms for high-profile public and private programming.
This position serves as a senior department leader responsible for building a high-performing event services team and ensuring that all internal and external events meet exceptional service, operational, and hospitality standards. This leader will manage the end-to-end client experience while setting policies and procedures for a newly established cultural venue.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Develop and lead the Event Services department, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management of event managers and support staff. Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in defining operational goals, service benchmarks, and team structure to support a diverse portfolio of events. Foster a high-touch, client-focused culture aligned with the Institute’s mission and the hospitality standards of a premium venue.
Client Services & Operations
Serve as the primary point of contact for Center events, providing guidance from contracting through execution and post-event evaluation. Manage event walkthroughs, planning meetings, production timelines, and post-event debriefs to ensure flawless execution and continuous improvement. Lead cross-functional coordination with internal departments (e.g. development, programming, marketing, AV) and external partners (e.g. caterers, security).
Financial & Administrative Oversight
Oversee event budgeting, forecasting, and financial reconciliation, including billing reviews, contract compliance, and revenue enhancement through strategic upselling. Manage the venue event calendar and scheduling system, resolving booking conflicts and ensuring optimal space utilization.
Standards, Procedures & Compliance
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and service protocols across event lifecycle stages. Ensure events meet all required environmental, health, and safety standards, including pre-event inspections and incident response planning. Monitor and enforce service-level standards for setup, cleanliness, staffing, and guest readiness across all event spaces. Duties as assigned.
Innovation & Market Awareness
Stay informed on industry trends, competitor benchmarks, and local market demands to evolve offerings and remain competitive in the DC special events marketplace. Partner with the Business Development team to align service delivery with client expectations, proactively contributing to retention, referrals, and repeat business.
Qualifications
10+ years of progressive experience in event operations or conference services, including 5+ years in a leadership role at a luxury hotel, special event venue, or association/corporate event environment. Demonstrated success managing large, multi-day, high-profile events with complex client and stakeholder needs. Strong team-building and mentoring skills, with a proven ability to model professional service standards and motivate staff performance. Expertise in client service, event logistics, and operational coordination across departments. Fluency in reading and executing Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), contracts, and production documentation. Working knowledge of event management software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong attention to detail, fiscal responsibility, and polished communication skills.
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment five days a week, with Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for event execution. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
Note
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as
one
attachment.
Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected . If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity) Fertility Support Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Pet Insurance Discount Training & Development: LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered Annual Mentor Program Wellness Resources: Employee Assistance Program CALM app membership Seniority level
Seniority levelDirector Employment type
Employment typeFull-time Job function
Job functionManagement and Manufacturing IndustriesThink Tanks Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Milken Institute by 2x Get notified about new Director of Event Services jobs in
Santa Monica, CA . Senior Events Director (LA Times Studios) Santa Monica, CA $160,000.00-$175,000.00 6 days ago Associate Director, Global Event Operations Santa Monica, CA $105,000.00-$115,000.00 6 days ago Director of Event Planning and Venues Operations Los Angeles, CA $70,000.00-$85,000.00 2 weeks ago Sr. Art Director (Art Direction + Design) Los Angeles, CA $110,000.00-$140,000.00 14 hours ago Sr. Manager, Venue Security (Planning & Operations) Los Angeles, CA $70,000.00-$75,000.00 15 hours ago Technical Operations Program Manager - Esports Event Technology Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA $30.00-$48.00 1 month ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, Event Services
role at
Milken Institute Join to apply for the
Director, Event Services
role at
Milken Institute This range is provided by Milken Institute. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $140,000.00/yr - $155,000.00/yr About The Milken Institute
Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying.
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About The Position
The Milken Institute seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Event Services to lead the planning, execution, and service delivery for events at the new Milken Center in Washington, DC. The Center includes a 250-seat theater, banquet spaces for up to 350, and breakout rooms for high-profile public and private programming.
This position serves as a senior department leader responsible for building a high-performing event services team and ensuring that all internal and external events meet exceptional service, operational, and hospitality standards. This leader will manage the end-to-end client experience while setting policies and procedures for a newly established cultural venue.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Develop and lead the Event Services department, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management of event managers and support staff. Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in defining operational goals, service benchmarks, and team structure to support a diverse portfolio of events. Foster a high-touch, client-focused culture aligned with the Institute’s mission and the hospitality standards of a premium venue.
Client Services & Operations
Serve as the primary point of contact for Center events, providing guidance from contracting through execution and post-event evaluation. Manage event walkthroughs, planning meetings, production timelines, and post-event debriefs to ensure flawless execution and continuous improvement. Lead cross-functional coordination with internal departments (e.g. development, programming, marketing, AV) and external partners (e.g. caterers, security).
Financial & Administrative Oversight
Oversee event budgeting, forecasting, and financial reconciliation, including billing reviews, contract compliance, and revenue enhancement through strategic upselling. Manage the venue event calendar and scheduling system, resolving booking conflicts and ensuring optimal space utilization.
Standards, Procedures & Compliance
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and service protocols across event lifecycle stages. Ensure events meet all required environmental, health, and safety standards, including pre-event inspections and incident response planning. Monitor and enforce service-level standards for setup, cleanliness, staffing, and guest readiness across all event spaces. Duties as assigned.
Innovation & Market Awareness
Stay informed on industry trends, competitor benchmarks, and local market demands to evolve offerings and remain competitive in the DC special events marketplace. Partner with the Business Development team to align service delivery with client expectations, proactively contributing to retention, referrals, and repeat business.
Qualifications
10+ years of progressive experience in event operations or conference services, including 5+ years in a leadership role at a luxury hotel, special event venue, or association/corporate event environment. Demonstrated success managing large, multi-day, high-profile events with complex client and stakeholder needs. Strong team-building and mentoring skills, with a proven ability to model professional service standards and motivate staff performance. Expertise in client service, event logistics, and operational coordination across departments. Fluency in reading and executing Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), contracts, and production documentation. Working knowledge of event management software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong attention to detail, fiscal responsibility, and polished communication skills.
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment five days a week, with Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for event execution. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
Note
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as
one
attachment.
Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected . If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity) Fertility Support Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Pet Insurance Discount Training & Development: LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered Annual Mentor Program Wellness Resources: Employee Assistance Program CALM app membership Seniority level
Seniority levelDirector Employment type
Employment typeFull-time Job function
Job functionManagement and Manufacturing IndustriesThink Tanks Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Milken Institute by 2x Get notified about new Director of Event Services jobs in
Santa Monica, CA . Senior Events Director (LA Times Studios) Santa Monica, CA $160,000.00-$175,000.00 6 days ago Associate Director, Global Event Operations Santa Monica, CA $105,000.00-$115,000.00 6 days ago Director of Event Planning and Venues Operations Los Angeles, CA $70,000.00-$85,000.00 2 weeks ago Sr. Art Director (Art Direction + Design) Los Angeles, CA $110,000.00-$140,000.00 14 hours ago Sr. Manager, Venue Security (Planning & Operations) Los Angeles, CA $70,000.00-$75,000.00 15 hours ago Technical Operations Program Manager - Esports Event Technology Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA $30.00-$48.00 1 month ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr