Events Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body, and soul. It is also a space for art, culture, and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space, we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world. If this sounds like the place for you, consider applying to be our Events Manager.


Location: Washington, DC (DMV) Metro Area
Work Arrangement: On-site position (No remote work)

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried/40-hour work week
Pay: $58,000.00+ 

Travel Requirements:
As a road warrior, you will travel between 8 stores in DC, MD, and VA and our main office in Washington, DC. Expect regular on-the-go engagements and occasional off-site events. If you thrive in a dynamic, in-person setting, we want to hear from you!

WHY WORK FOR US

Join a diverse space: 81% of our total workforce identifies as a person of color, 45% of our total workforce identifies as female and 5% of our workforce identifies as a person with disabilities. Our executive team also represents gender diversity, ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and more. Men and women are equally represented as well as various cultural and religious backgrounds. We strive to provide an inclusive workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work.

Grow with us: Over 60% of our managers were promoted from within to their existing role from line staff or from Front-of-House manager to Assistant or General Manager. Our entire Executive Team consists of existing employees who showed promise and were promoted into leadership positions.

Work with latest technologies: Striving to be a leader in our industry, we utilize a broad spectrum of technologies, including our tech-forward training program, employee payroll system, a self-managed tip distribution system, an events and catering platform, an inventory management system, our POS Toast and much more!

Happy staff: Busboys and Poets is always looking for the next best way to engage with our staff. This includes raffles, anniversary boxes, an employee-dedicated web-based forum and information site, blog, and podcast.

COMPANY BENEFITS
Busboys and Poets offers competitive pay and benefits including a wide choice of health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match of 5%, 2 weeks vacation time which increases to a maximum of 4 weeks with tenure, 1 week sick leave per year, $34 per day food credit, designated company paid parking, paid parental leave, early wage access, short term and long term disability, a free life insurance policy up to 1.5x your annual salary, pet insurance, professional development reimbursement, yearly technology stipend and a smart casual dress code.

Position Summary: 


We are looking for an enthusiastic full-time Events Manager to promote and book events in our various locations. As a member of the Events and Marketing Team, this self-starter will serve as one of the “office voices” of the Events Team, and work will include but not be limited to, interfacing with prospective customers, answering and returning phone calls, follow-up with inquiries, extensive computer data entry, on-site event support, and programming coordination.

Job Duties:

● Work with customers through emails and phone calls to solidify event dates, room set-up, technical needs, and menu selection as well as provide proposals, contracts, and invoices.

● Maintain accurate and up‐to‐date records for all event management projects, including clients, vendors, entertainers, speakers, attendees, etc., and enter accurate information into the database;

● Ensure events reflect and uphold the organization’s mission, values, and brand identity.

● Work closely with restaurant managers and internal departments (marketing, operations, bookstore, and back of house) to ensure all event needs are met. See to it that all necessary information is conveyed and materials are delivered in a timely manner.

● Provide on-site support at the restaurant, when necessary

● Assist the Events and Marketing team with ongoing projects

● Look for ways to improve and promote the quality of events; demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness in all assigned tasks

● Respond to requests/meet commitments consistently.

● Demonstrate attention to detail and a creative flair.

● Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully

● Work within approved budgets; develop and implement cost-saving measures; contribute to profits and revenue; conserve organizational resources.

● Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; understand organization's strengths and weaknesses; analyze market and competition; identify external threats and opportunities; adapt strategy to changing conditions.

● Cultivate relationships with artists, authors, educators, nonprofits, and community leaders to curate dynamic programming.

● Conduct community outreach to strengthen partnerships, increase visibility, and attract new audiences.

● Represent the organization at community events, networking opportunities, and industry gatherings to drive business and build brand presence.

● Represent the company and brand at off-site and professional events.

● Support all teams in other tasks, as needed.


● Must be present for High Touch, High Dollar, or High Profile events.

● Must maintain open availability, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

● Must have reliable transportation.

Skills and Qualifications:

Candidates should be personable, have excellent time management and project management skills, and be proficient in database management. This position requires a passion for events and for creating a high-quality guest experience. This position will include a fair amount of database entry as well as email and telephone correspondence.

Key qualifications include:

● Superb customer service skills in a fast-paced environment;

● Outgoing personality, comfortable meeting new people;

● Strong attention to detail; excellent multi-tasker with a positive, can-do attitude;

● Ability to work under pressure. 

● Ability to handle a large volume of events;

● Experience collaborating/interacting with individuals at all levels of an organization.

● Experience in event marketing and event management is required;

● Knowledge in event/meeting/conference setups and executions;

● Experience with social media campaigns is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The role of an Events Manager is both physically and mentally demanding. This position requires sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods throughout the shift. Events Managers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Events managers typically work 40 hours per week; however, due to the nature of the business, schedules may include extended, irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

Events managers may also be required to work at off-site events and different locations based on business needs.

Busboys and Poets is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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