Event Manager - $26 per HOUR

Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a highly respected non-profit organization established in 1970 that serves as a dedicated partner to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. This organization plays a crucial role in raising philanthropic support and increasing public awareness for the zoo’s mission. Together with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, they are committed to connecting people with the natural world through engaging guest experiences, exceptional animal care, and authoritative conservation education programs. Their combined efforts ensure that every visitor enjoys memorable experiences while gaining a heightened awareness of global conservation challenges. The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo team exemplifies resourcefulness, passion, and unwavering dedication toward creating impactful advancements in conservation and public education initiatives.

The Catering Supervisor role at Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the zoo’s conservation and education mission through managing superior food and beverage services for special events. This full-time position requires a dynamic professional who can ensure that all event services strictly align with the Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and coordinate effectively with the Catering Sales team for seamless execution. The supervisor is responsible for managing event setups, overseeing the adherence to timelines, and exceeding client expectations. A key aspect of the role involves conducting pre-function meetings with staff to communicate uniform requirements, assignments, and event specifics to guarantee optimal readiness and professionalism throughout the event.

Leading a team of Catering Servers and Bartenders, the Catering Supervisor enforces adherence to departmental policies and maintains high standards of service quality. Training new staff members on food and beverage protocols and consistently monitoring service delivery are essential functions to uphold the organization’s reputation for excellence. Additionally, the role demands close collaboration with kitchen staff to ensure timely and accurate food delivery while also working closely with various partners and county personnel during all phases of the event. The supervisor is tasked with maintaining a commitment to conservation, environmental awareness, and animal welfare in every aspect of their work.

Problem-solving and guest relations are also critical components of the role, where tactful handling of guest complaints and appropriate escalation are necessary. The Catering Supervisor manages event details confirmation, processes event payments using POS systems, and supports administrative operations including linen orders, clean-up tasks, waste management, post-event reporting, bank deposits, and inventory control. The position requires agility in managing multiple tasks and adapting to a fast-paced event environment with schedules that may extend through days, nights, weekends, and holidays. This role is ideally suited for candidates with proven event management leadership experience who are passionate about delivering exceptional service and promoting conservation education in a zoological setting.