Banquet Captain

Sonesta Hotels; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation & sick time

Hotel discounts

Educational assistance

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Banquet Captain to lead banquet service operations for meetings, conferences, weddings, and other events. You will supervise banquet servers, coordinate with culinary and F&B leadership, and ensure flawless execution from setup to final service.

The ideal candidate has banquet or hospitality experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience in banquet, catering, or hospitality events is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced events environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead banquet service operations for meetings, conferences, weddings, and events.
• Supervise banquet servers and event teams to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Coordinate with culinary and F&B leadership to execute event timelines and setups.
• Review BEOs and room layouts to ensure accurate execution.
• Maintain food safety and service standards throughout events.

Skills

Banquet leadership

Guest service

Event coordination

Team supervision

Communication

Job description

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

Exceptional events are all about flawless execution, great teamwork, and memorable guest experiences. As a Banquet Captain, you’ll help lead banquet operations while ensuring weddings, meetings, conferences, galas, and special events are delivered seamlessly from setup to final service.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment and enjoys balancing guest service, team leadership, and operational coordination. You’ll oversee banquet service teams, support event execution, and help create elevated experiences guests remember long after the event ends.

If you’re organized, service-driven, and passionate about hospitality and events — we’d love to meet you.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and coordinate banquet service operations for meetings, conferences, weddings, social events, and catered functions.
• Supervise, support, and motivate Banquet Servers and event teams to deliver exceptional guest service and operational excellence.
• Review banquet event orders (BEOs), event timelines, room setups, and service requirements to ensure accurate execution.
• Coordinate closely with Culinary, Banquets, Stewarding, and Food & Beverage leadership teams throughout event operations.
• Oversee banquet room setup, buffet presentation, table service, beverage service, and event transitions according to hotel standards.
• Monitor guest satisfaction during events and resolve service concerns quickly and professionally.
• Support banquet staffing, side work assignments, operational readiness, and event flow throughout service periods.
• Ensure cleanliness, organization, food safety standards, sanitation procedures, and responsible alcohol service practices are maintained at all times.
• Assist with training, coaching, onboarding, and operational support for banquet team members.
• Support high-volume event operations while maintaining professionalism, efficiency, and exceptional guest experiences.
• Help foster a positive, collaborative, and guest-focused culture aligned with Sonesta’s People People philosophy.
• Any other duties assigned.

What great looks like

• Previous banquet, catering, restaurant, hotel, event, or hospitality experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within banquet or Food & Beverage operations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of banquet service standards, event operations, food & beverage service, and hospitality guest experience expectations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced hospitality and events environment.
• Strong attention to detail, presentation, cleanliness, and operational execution.
• Ability to lead teams and remain calm under pressure during high-volume events and service periods.
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, holidays, and late-night event support as needed.
• Food Handler Certification, TIPS Certification, or alcohol service certification preferred where applicable.
• A passion for hospitality, teamwork, guest engagement, and creating exceptional event experiences.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these)
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.