Catering & Private Events Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Sunset Marquis is a four-diamond hotel located in West Hollywood and includes Cavatina restaurant, Bar 1200, and SPA. We offer competitive benefits which include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, complimentary onsite parking or monthly metro pass, employee meals, PTO (vacation, sick, holiday), on-the-job training, growth opportunities, discount room rates to staff, tuition reimbursement, wellness program, and more.

Are you ready to join the Sunset Marquis family? Click below to apply!

Job Summary

The Catering & Private Events Manager is responsible for generating, planning, coordinating, and executing weddings, corporate meetings, receptions, dinners, theme parties, musical events, and other special functions across eight unique event venues. This position serves as the primary point of contact for clients from initial inquiry through event completion, while actively developing new business opportunities and maximizing venue and food & beverage revenue.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated sales professional with extensive event management experience, strong food and beverage expertise, and the ability to collaborate with the culinary team to create customized menus and memorable guest experiences. This individual must be equally comfortable prospecting for new business, closing sales, planning complex events, and overseeing flawless execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:

Maintain complete knowledge of:

All hotel features/services, hours of operation, policies, and procedures.

All event space locations, layout, and capacity limits.

In-house events, external businesses, contacts, and current/upcoming events.

Business Development & Sales

• Proactively prospect and generate new business through sales calls, networking, referrals, community outreach, and relationship-building activities.
• Solicit wedding, corporate meeting, banquet, social event, and private party business.
• Conduct venue tours and client presentations showcasing the organization's eight event venues.
• Develop proposals, contracts, and pricing packages tailored to client needs.
• Negotiate contracts and secure bookings to achieve established revenue goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with wedding planners, corporate clients, meeting planners, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Participate in trade shows, bridal fairs, networking events, and promotional activities.
• Achieve annual catering and private event revenue goals.
• Increase utilization of all eight event venues.
• Generate new business through proactive sales efforts and community outreach.
• Maintain high client satisfaction and event quality standards.
• Grow wedding, corporate meeting, and social event bookings.
• Ensure profitability of food and beverage operations and special events.

Event Planning & Client Management

• Manage events from initial inquiry through successful completion.
• Consult with clients to determine event objectives, themes, budgets, menus, entertainment, and logistical requirements.
• Develop comprehensive event timelines, floor plans, and execution plans.
• Coordinate all aspects of weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate meetings, galas, theme parties, fundraising events, and musical performances.
• Serve as the primary liaison between clients and internal departments.

Food & Beverage Management

• Possess strong food and beverage knowledge and understanding of banquet and catering operations.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and culinary team to develop customized menus for weddings, meetings, social events, and specialty functions.
• Recommend menu selections, beverage offerings, and service styles that align with client objectives and budgets.
• Assist in menu pricing, food and beverage costing, and profitability analysis.
• Ensure all food and beverage offerings meet quality, presentation, and service standards.

Theme Events & Entertainment Programming

• Develop creative event concepts and themed experiences.
• Coordinate entertainment including bands, DJs, musicians, speakers, and performers.
• Manage event décor, audiovisual requirements, staging, lighting, and specialty rentals.
• Create unique event experiences that drive revenue and enhance guest satisfaction.

Event Execution

• Oversee event setup, execution, and breakdown activities.
• Ensure all departments, vendors, and service providers execute according to plan.
• Act as the on-site manager for assigned events.
• Resolve operational issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain exceptional client service and guest satisfaction throughout each event.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Establish and maintain relationships with preferred vendors and service providers.
• Coordinate florists, decorators, photographers, entertainers, rental companies, audiovisual providers, and transportation vendors.
• Ensure vendor compliance with venue standards and event requirements.

Financial Management

• Prepare event budgets and cost estimates.
• Monitor revenues, expenses, and event profitability.
• Ensure timely collection of deposits and final payments.
• Prepare sales and revenue reports as required.

Competencies Include:

• Displays a high level of professional integrity and ethical conduct.
• Maintain calmness and composure under high levels of pressure.
• Adapt to frequent change, fast paced environment, delays, or unexpected events.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and uses time efficiently and effectively.
• Displays outstanding attendance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position supervises the Events operations and staff (number of staff varies based on size of event), carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving issues.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proven ability to prospect, develop, and close new catering and private event business.
• Strong food and beverage knowledge, including menu development, banquet operations, food and beverage costing, and collaboration with culinary teams to create customized event menus.
• Extensive wedding planning and coordination experience from initial consultation through event execution.
• Knowledge of corporate meeting planning, conference services, and group event management.
• Ability to create and execute themed events and entertainment-driven experiences.
• Excellent sales, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking abilities.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple events simultaneously.
• Proficiency with event management software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings.

Requirements:

Essential Skills, Experience, and Education include:

• Associate’s degree (A.A.); or 2 - 3 years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Luxury hotel and/or luxury residence experience required.
• Server and/or Bartending experience is a plus.
• Microsoft Office- Word, Excel, Outlook- required.
• Canary- preferred.
• Delphi- preferred.
• Proficient in English- verbal and written.
• Must have flexible work availability- all shifts, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements include:

• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.