Event Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000

Other Forms of Compensation:   

Where Passion Meets Purpose - and Careers Come Alive

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, great careers are crafted the same way great food is — with passion, intention, and the right people around you. We hire for curiosity, spirit, and heart, and we invest in everything you bring to the table. Through mentorship, real development, and a clear path to leadership, we're committed to your journey — not just your job title. Come be part of something that challenges and champions you in equal measure.

"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far." — Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang’s PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.  
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don’t have to.  
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client’s vision to life.  We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).   
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

“I can have the best food, but if we don’t have good people, it won’t get you very far.”

Job Summary

The Event Operations Manager leads the planning and execution of exceptional hospitality experiences across Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, off-site venues, and other locations throughout the AWE portfolio. This role oversees a team of Event Coordinators and serves as the primary operational lead for a diverse range of events, including donor experiences, VIP receptions, executive functions, weddings, museum programs, exhibition celebrations, and large-scale special events.

From post-contract planning through final event execution, the Event Operations Manager ensures every detail is thoughtfully managed and every guest experience reflects the creativity, hospitality, and service excellence that define Wolfgang Puck Catering. Partnering closely with clients, culinary teams, venue leadership, and operational stakeholders, this role is responsible for delivering seamless events that inspire connection, celebrate culture, and create lasting memories.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary operational contact for clients once event agreements are finalized.
• Lead event planning and execution from pre-event logistics through post-event wrap-up.
• Partner with clients to understand event objectives, timelines, service requirements, and guest expectations.
• Coordinate on-premise and off-premise events.
• Oversee event logistics including venue setup, staffing plans, transportation, production needs, vendor coordination, and event execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication of event details to all operational partners.
• Lead, coach, and support a team of Event Coordinators.
• Manage coordinator assignments, workloads, schedules, and event coverage.
• Create staffing plans to support event volume and operational needs.
• Provide guidance and support for complex, high-profile, and large-scale events.
• Foster a collaborative, service-driven culture focused on hospitality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the operational lead for VIP, donor, executive, and other high-profile events.
• Provide on-site leadership to ensure service, presentation, and hospitality standards are consistently achieved.
• Address challenges and changing priorities with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Partner with culinary and operations leadership to deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Maintain event documentation, schedules, and operational records.
• Support payroll administration, labor planning, and workforce scheduling.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and identify opportunities to improve processes and client satisfaction.
• Ensure events are executed efficiently while maintaining quality, safety, and hospitality standards.
• Support special events, weddings, and other unique experiences as needed.

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading event operations, catering, hospitality, or venue management teams.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing employees.
• Strong knowledge of event logistics and operational execution.
• Experience managing multiple events and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain adaptable and solutions-oriented while delivering exceptional client service.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience within catering, hospitality, museum, cultural institution, or special events environments.
• Experience leading VIP, donor, executive, or large-scale events.
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations and hospitality service standards.
• Experience with labor planning, scheduling, payroll administration, and workforce management.
• Experience overseeing both on-premise and off-premise events.
• Familiarity with vendor management and event production logistics.

Apply to Wolfgang Puck Catering today!

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Personal Leave
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drugfree workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

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Req ID: 1556933

Wolfgang Puck Catering 

Michael Abbey 

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