Banquet Event Director

Maggiano's, Inc.; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Maggiano's Little Italy in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking an Event Manager to plan, coordinate, and flawlessly execute banquet events from booking to day-of. You will own all details, including room setup, seating plans, timelines, staffing, and menus to ensure guest expectations are met.

This role collaborates with Sales, Culinary, and Restaurant Leadership to deliver exceptional experiences. You will lead on-site during events, manage pre-event meetings, and enforce standard operating procedures

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in hotel, catering, or banquet operations.
• Experience leading event execution and service teams.
• Strong knowledge of banquet service standards and room setups.
• Ability to read and execute BEOs, layouts, and event contracts.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent guest-service and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency with banquet systems, CRM, or event software.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Own all event details once the event is booked and handed off from sales team.
• Review contracts, BEOs, and event notes for accuracy and completeness.
• Create and manage event timelines, layouts, seating charts, and room assignments.
• Coordinate menu selections, special requests, dietary needs, and service style.
• Schedule banquet staff based on event size and service requirements.
• Lead day-of execution, ensuring events start on time and run according to plan.
• Serve as primary on-site contact for hosts during events.
• Conduct pre-event meetings with teams to review logistics and service expectations.
• Develop, communicate, and enforce banquet standard operating procedures.
• Hire, train, coach, performance manage, and support banquet teams on service standards and execution excellence.
• Ensure rooms are properly set according to diagrams and guest specifications.
• Maintain inventory related to banquet service, linens, A/V, and equipment.
• Partner with culinary team on timing, flow of food, and menu execution.
• Monitor banquet profitability through labor, food cost, and expense control.
• Support menu pricing, updates, and rollout execution.
• Review event performance and address service recovery when needed.
• Track and drive results on banquet guest experience metrics and KPIs.
• Cross-functional: Partner with Sales Managers to ensure clean event handoffs.
• Communicate changes to menus, guarantees, and setup in a timely manner.
• Work with IT/vendor partners on banquet systems, phones, printers, and CRM tools.
• Maintain banquet event systems, room setup libraries, and menu files.
• Review reports related to revenue, lost business, repeat business, and guest feedback.
• Ensure accuracy of BEOs and event documentation.

Job description

Maggiano's Little Italy in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking an Event Manager to plan, coordinate, and flawlessly execute banquet events from booking to day-of. You will own all details, including room setup, seating plans, timelines, staffing, and menus to ensure guest expectations are met.

This role collaborates with Sales, Culinary, and Restaurant Leadership to deliver exceptional experiences. You will lead on-site during events, manage pre-event meetings, and enforce standard operating procedures