Events Operations Manager

*This position will be required to spend time at multiple Journeyman locations in Michigan and Indiana.

Do you believe a great event starts with a connection—and succeeds through disciplined execution?

Are you the kind of leader who can translate a client’s vision into a detailed plan, then rally a team to deliver it flawlessly, on time, and on brand?

Do you take pride in building real relationships, sweating the details, and owning the outcome from first conversation to final teardown?

At Journeyman Distillery, our events are an extension of our craft: intentional, memorable, and done the right way. The Events Operations Manager will bring to life booked events by owning event detailing, staff leadership, and on-site execution—ensuring every event is properly planned, staffed, and delivered to standard. The ideal job candidate: has a positive, “can-do” attitude, is friendly yet assertive, and able to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks; wants to be in the hospitality and events business and will dedicate the time needed to meet client needs; must have a greater concern for our clients and their experience than what time they will be home on a Saturday night; and must be able to translate the customer requests and articulate the needs to the various support teams to achieve a successful and happy end result for events. Lastly, the ideal candidate must have the willingness and ability to truly lead and manage a team of service members.

All team members must uphold and embody Journeyman’s Core Values which represent the culture, attitude, and immediate priorities ensuring our cohesion and success.

GRIT MAKES GREAT

• Having a positive attitude that no challenge is too great
• Understanding that goals worth pursuing are never easy; that perseverance, grit, and determination are essential to success
• There is no substitute for grit and putting in the time and effort. Good things will come from those efforts
• 10,000-hour rule. Malcolm Gladwell: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to be great

ALWAYS A JOURNEYMAN - NEVER A MASTER

• Excellence is a lifelong pursuit and mastery is an illusion
• The joy is in the daily work and pursuit of excellence, not in the final destination
• A focus on continual improvement and doing our best

1st CUSTOMER

• Treating every customer with the mindset that they are the business’s 1st ever customer
• Treating customers with authenticity, kindness, warmth, care, friendliness; engaging, helpful and willing to offer a magical experience
• Clean facilities
• Being available to the customer and timely responses in any capacity
• This mindset extends to our vendors, suppliers, partners, and especially our fellow employees
• Never take the customer or employee for granted
• 362 and 59:59+ We are open to our customers 362 days a year and we set an unwavering standard of serving our customers up till the last closing second 59:59+ and beyond if needed.

AMBASSADOR

• Taking pride and ownership in your work
• Engagement and active participation in your work and company activities
• Being a positive force in the workplace; creating a culture of positivity
• Extending common courtesy to self, employees, vendors, and guests
• Being an evangelist and promoter of the company and brand

At Journeyman Distillery, we believe hard work and dedication deserve to be rewarded. To that end, we provide a comprehensive benefits and incentives package.

Here’s a peek at what you will receive as a Journeyman employee:

• Outstanding Growth Opportunity!
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) with Employer Match available
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Supplemental Insurance options
• Free Quarterly Bottle of Spirit (21+)
• Loyalty Incentives (ask about our 5-Year Bottle Reward!)
• Employee Discounts
• Monthly Founders' Day event with Bill Welter
• Annual Employee Putting Competition
• Annual Employee Party

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Events split between all locations; Event Operations Managers are assigned based on location and number of events)

Client Relations

• Work with Event Sales Manager to understand each booked client and take over communication with them once contracted.
• Meet and effectively communicate with clients to understand their specific expectations, budget, and food & beverage related needs, such as dietary restrictions throughout the entire planning process, from booking to event day as needed.
• Help clients design a timeline for their event, as well as a floor plan that is attractive and conducive to efficient service within the event space.
• Finalize menus, create invoices, and facilitate payments for clients, adhering strictly to all payment deadlines, working directly with Accounting & Finance
• Ensure all BEO details are finalized in accordance with established contractual timelines and obtain client sign-off to confirm accuracy and approval.
• Host group tastings of food and beverage offerings, as well as some private tastings.

Event Day- (Full Ownership of the Event, Acting as Manager on Duty (MOD)).

• Work Event Leads, and other Event Staff for set up, breakdown and execution of each event as needed.
• Clean and ready the facility for guests followed by oversight of a clean and organized facility post-event.
• Lead pre-event meeting with Event team members in specifics of event details and service timeline.
• Be onsite for appropriate time (as needed per event) for proper execution of pre- and post-meal service.

Management of Event Staff

• Interview, hire, and schedule all Event Staff (servers, bartenders, utilities, leads etc.) for events at primary assigned location.
• Lead the training of all Event Staff at primary assigned location.
• Work with Event Leads for setup and breakdown details for each event as needed at all locations.
• Manage Event Staff to meet the demand and timeline of each event, delegating duties as needed at all locations.
• Compose and deliver performance reviews for all Event Staff at primary assigned location.
• Consistently document all corrective action and disciplinary issues with the appropriate forms and guidelines provided through Human Resources at all locations.

Day-to-Day

• Work with the culinary team for client menu requests and keep them informed of any updates or changes to upcoming events at all locations.
• Maintain inventory of catering supplies, and cleaning and organization of spaces at primary assigned location.
• Work with outside vendors as needed and assist with the onboarding of vendors/contractors using proper protocol and vendor guidelines.
• Administrative tasks may include the facilitation of payroll, reports, point of sale procedures, and inventory for food and beverage functions at all locations.
• Respond in a thorough and timely fashion to consistent flow of emails and phone calls from booked clients.