Event Captain

Jacob Rieger & Company LLC; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 11,000 - 16,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Tip pool

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

OT pay

Job summary

J. Rieger & Co. in Kansas City, MO seeks an Event Captain to serve as the primary on-site contact for private event clients, coordinating execution and directing hourly staff to ensure an exceptional guest experience.

Shifts align with private events; you may also work as a server or bartender in company outlets. This is not a management role, and you will report to the Event and Hospitality Operations Management team.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of hospitality, food & beverage, catering, private events, or guest service.
• Experience executing weddings, corporate functions, or private events.
• Ability to interpret event orders, floor plans, timelines, menus, and service instructions.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and guest-recovery skills.
• Confidence working directly with clients and giving clear real-time direction to event staff.
• Remain calm, professional, and guest-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of food, beverage, and responsible alcohol-service standards.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client or designated on-site contact throughout the event, anticipating needs and responding to requests professionally.
• Review event orders, timelines, layouts, menus, beverage selections, and special requests before service begins.
• Confirm that event spaces are properly set, supplied, and presented according to the approved event plan and J. Rieger & Co. standards.
• Coordinate event setup, service, transitions, and teardown while communicating assignments and directing the real-time workflow of Event Servers and Bartenders.
• Maintain clear communication with Private Events management, culinary, bar, service, and other departments involved in the event.
• Answer client and staff questions confidently and communicate changes or relevant information to the appropriate departments.
• Resolve service concerns and impromptu requests calmly and professionally, consulting Private Events management when necessary.
• Maintain strong knowledge of event menus, beverage offerings, service standards, facility features, and J. Rieger & Co. products.
• Assist with event service responsibilities as needed and adjust execution based on timing changes, guest needs, or unexpected circumstances.
• Complete a final walkthrough and document event results, client feedback, concerns, and follow-up items in the Event Captain Log.
• Report to scheduled shifts on time and prepared while contributing to a professional, collaborative, and welcoming work environment.
• Follow all applicable company policies and safety, sanitation, food-handling, alcohol-service, and emergency procedures.

Skills

Hospitality

Event coordination

Guest service

Communication

Order interpretation

Calm under pressure

Food & beverage knowledge

Evenings/weekends availability

Job description

Hourly (nonexempt) | On-site position | Kansas City, MO

REPORTS TO:

Event and Hospitality Operations Management

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Event Captain serves as the primary on-site contact for J. Rieger & Co. private event clients. This position coordinates event execution, responds to client needs, and directs the real-time workflow of hourly event staff to provide an exceptional guest experience.

Event Captain shifts are scheduled according to private event business and operational needs. Outside of assigned Event Captain shifts, this position may also be scheduled as a Server or Bartender within J. Rieger & Co.’s food and beverage outlets.

This is not a management position and does not include responsibility for hiring, scheduling, discipline, performance management, or other employment decisions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client or designated on-site contact throughout the event, anticipating needs and responding to requests professionally.
• Review event orders, timelines, layouts, menus, beverage selections, and special requests before service begins.
• Confirm that event spaces are properly set, supplied, and presented according to the approved event plan and J. Rieger & Co. standards.
• Coordinate event setup, service, transitions, and teardown while communicating assignments and directing the real-time workflow of Event Servers and Bartenders.
• Maintain clear communication with Private Events management, culinary, bar, service, and other departments involved in the event.
• Answer client and staff questions confidently and communicate changes or relevant information to the appropriate departments.
• Resolve service concerns and impromptu requests calmly and professionally, consulting Private Events management when necessary.
• Maintain strong knowledge of event menus, beverage offerings, service standards, facility features, and J. Rieger & Co. products.
• Assist with event service responsibilities as needed and adjust execution based on timing changes, guest needs, or unexpected circumstances.
• Complete a final walkthrough and document event results, client feedback, concerns, and follow-up items in the Event Captain Log.
• Report to scheduled shifts on time and prepared while contributing to a professional, collaborative, and welcoming work environment.
• Follow all applicable company policies and safety, sanitation, food-handling, alcohol-service, and emergency procedures.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Starting hourly pay of $10 per hour, plus a portion of the applicable tip pool.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees.
• Paid time off accrued on an hourly basis, subject to eligibility and company policy.
• 401(k) retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• Overtime compensation as required by applicable law.
• Employees will receive at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked, as required by law.

HELPFUL EXPERIENCE:

• Two or more years of experience in hospitality, food and beverage, catering, private events, or guest service.
• Experience executing weddings, corporate functions, social gatherings, or other private events.
• Ability to interpret event orders, floor plans, timelines, menus, and service instructions.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and guest-recovery skills.
• Confidence working directly with clients and providing clear, real-time direction to event staff.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and guest-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of food, beverage, and responsible alcohol-service standards.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to remain on one’s feet and move throughout event and hospitality spaces for extended periods, including shifts of eight hours or longer.
• Ability to frequently walk, bend, reach, twist, crouch, push, pull, and use stairs while assisting with event setup, service, and breakdown.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or appropriate equipment when necessary.
• Ability to move and arrange event-related items such as tables, chairs, service equipment, beverage products, décor, and supplies.
• Ability to safely carry trays, glassware, food, beverages, and other service items through active event spaces.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, clients, vendors, and team members in environments that may be crowded or noisy.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments that may include loud noise, crowds, dim lighting, variable temperatures, weather conditions, wet or slippery surfaces, stairs, and uneven walking surfaces.
• Regular exposure to food, alcoholic beverages, cleaning products, and other materials commonly present in hospitality and event environments.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts based on event and business needs.

The physical requirements and work-environment conditions described above represent those generally necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

J. Rieger & Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and legitimate business needs without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Missouri, or local law.

J. Rieger & Co. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to qualified applicants and employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process should contact the hiring team.

J. Rieger & Co. prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against applicants or employees who exercise rights protected by law.