Event Operations Manager

Compass Group USA; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolfgang Puck Catering is seeking an Event Operations Manager to lead planning and execution of exceptional hospitality experiences across Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, off-site venues, and other AWE locations.

You will oversee a team of Event Coordinators and act as the primary operational lead for donor experiences, VIP receptions, executive functions, weddings, and large-scale events.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary operational contact for clients once event agreements are finalized.
• Lead event planning and execution from pre-event logistics through post-event wrap-up.
• Partner with clients to understand event objectives, timelines, service requirements, and guest expectations.
• Coordinate on-premise and off-premise events.
• Oversee event logistics including venue setup, staffing plans, transportation, production needs, vendor coordination, and event execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication of event details to all operational partners.
• Lead, coach, and support a team of Event Coordinators.
• Manage coordinator assignments, workloads, schedules, and event coverage.
• Create staffing plans to support event volume and operational needs.
• Provide guidance and support for complex, high-profile, and large-scale events.
• Foster a collaborative, service-driven culture focused on hospitality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the operational lead for VIP, donor, executive, and other high-profile events.
• Provide on-site leadership to ensure service, presentation, and hospitality standards are consistently achieved.
• Address challenges and changing priorities with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Partner with culinary and operations leadership to deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Maintain event documentation, schedules, and operational records.
• Support payroll administration, labor planning, and workforce scheduling.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and identify opportunities to improve processes and client satisfaction

Job description

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Where Passion Meets Purpose - and Careers Come Alive

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, great careers are crafted the same way great food is - with passion, intention, and the right people around you. We hire for curiosity, spirit, and heart, and we invest in everything you bring to the table. Through mentorship, real development, and a clear path to leadership, we're committed to your journey - not just your job title. Come be part of something that challenges and champions you in equal measure.

\"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far.\" - Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang's PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don't have to.
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client's vision to life. We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far.

Job Summary

The Event Operations Manager leads the planning and execution of exceptional hospitality experiences across Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, off-site venues, and other locations throughout the AWE portfolio. This role oversees a team of Event Coordinators and serves as the primary operational lead for a diverse range of events, including donor experiences, VIP receptions, executive functions, weddings, museum programs, exhibition celebrations, and large-scale special events.

From post-contract planning through final event execution, the Event Operations Manager ensures every detail is thoughtfully managed and every guest experience reflects the creativity, hospitality, and service excellence that define Wolfgang Puck Catering. Partnering closely with clients, culinary teams, venue leadership, and operational stakeholders, this role is responsible for delivering seamless events that inspire connection, celebrate culture, and create lasting memories.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary operational contact for clients once event agreements are finalized.
• Lead event planning and execution from pre-event logistics through post-event wrap-up.
• Partner with clients to understand event objectives, timelines, service requirements, and guest expectations.
• Coordinate on-premise and off-premise events.
• Oversee event logistics including venue setup, staffing plans, transportation, production needs, vendor coordination, and event execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication of event details to all operational partners.
• Lead, coach, and support a team of Event Coordinators.
• Manage coordinator assignments, workloads, schedules, and event coverage.
• Create staffing plans to support event volume and operational needs.
• Provide guidance and support for complex, high-profile, and large-scale events.
• Foster a collaborative, service-driven culture focused on hospitality excellence and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the operational lead for VIP, donor, executive, and other high-profile events.
• Provide on-site leadership to ensure service, presentation, and hospitality standards are consistently achieved.
• Address challenges and changing priorities with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Partner with culinary and operations leadership to deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Maintain event documentation, schedules, and operational records.
• Support payroll administration, labor planning, and workforce scheduling.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and identify opportunities to improve processes and client satisfaction