Banquet Manager - Full Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

• The Banquet Manager is responsible for all internal and external banquet operations.
• This responsibility includes, but is not limited to event operations, leadership of the team, food and beverage execution, and coordination of catering events.
• This position reports to the Associate Director of Retail Operations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Oversees banquet event operations including planning and coordination of all banquet events, collaborating with other departments, staffing of events, food and beverage execution, and ensuring the highest quality guest experience.
• In addition, will provide oversight to other operational areas as needed including quick service restaurants/retail.
• Leads and inspires the banquet team and is responsible for hiring, training and development, mentoring, and performance management.
• Fosters an environment that encourages innovation and sharing of ideas.
• Is focused on building relationships and providing encouragement and recognition to staff.
• Oversees all inventory-related activities for front of house banquet operations as well as any additional assigned food service areas.
• Is responsible for inventory control, ordering, managing supplies, and storage and maintenance of equipment/supplies.
• Exercises fiscal responsibility for front of the house banquet operations.
• Ensures that all banquet and catering functions are aligned with the departmental budget established by the director of the department.
• Manages employee cash control and register functions.
• Ensures compliance with health, safety, sanitation and alcohol awareness standards for banquet operations.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

JOB EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 years experience managing large and small catered and VIP events
• Experience working with represented labor unions

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in hospitality, business administration or a related field
• Servsafe Certification within 90 Days

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Outstanding customer service skills and the ability to diffuse complex situations with a high level of tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and motivate a team in a diverse environment
• Able to communicate effectively (verbal and written)
• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs
• Able to operate Point of Sale (POS) systems
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult situations using effective service recovery best practices to yield a high level of customer satisfaction
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and events with competing deadlines using effective time management principles
• Knowledge of Safe Food Handling requirements
• Understanding of budgets and profit and loss statements

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences.
• Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
• If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.
• As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.

Salary

• Salary Rate: $86,200 to $95,320