Manager, Spaceport Events

SpaceXAI; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceXAI is seeking a Manager, Spaceport Events to lead the Spaceport Events team, ensuring exceptional guest services and satisfaction across multiple event spaces. You will supervise staff, set service standards, and collaborate with hospitality leadership to optimize operations.

You will troubleshoot issues, manage schedules, and address customer concerns directly, while upholding SpaceXAI’s mission-driven culture and high service expectations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 5+ years of experience in hospitality.
• 2+ years of management experience.
• 3+ years hospitality management or related field (preferred).
• 7+ years of food services experience (preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.

Responsibilities

• Hire and manage the performance of employees on the Spaceport Events team.
• Set and enforce standards for all event operations by developing and executing detailed service plans, timelines, and schedules.
• Manage the JIRA ticketing system for all hospitality requests, including events, catering, meetings, and tours.
• Oversee the catering report for all food venues, meeting spaces, and event areas.
• Coordinate and delegate information regarding large group travel, including accommodations, transportation, and on-site activities.
• Collaborate with fellow Hospitality leadership to plan services in shared spaces, potentially integrating traditional services.
• Ensure staff adherence to proper food safety practices.
• Create and maintain in-person and online training materials to support the training of all Hospitality roles and responsibilities.
• Monitor staff rotations, break coverage, and day-to-day responsibilities.
• Communicate directly with vendors for order placements and to address any issues with deliveries or product quality

Skills

Hospitality management

Event planning

Staff supervision

Vendor management

Food safety

Communication

Education

High School diploma

Tools

JIRA

Job description

SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands‑on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The hospitality team serves all employees, customers, government partners, potential clients and/or visitors with everything from meals to full-service events to corporate retreats. The Manager, Spaceport Events is a leadership role responsible for, but not limited to, staff supervision, oversight of guest services & customer satisfaction, and quality control in one or more of our event spaces. This individual works directly within hospitality leadership to properly delegate tasks, monitor the flow of service patterns, improve customer service interactions, and is the key point of contact with customers. They are also responsible for overseeing the event area upkeep and directly addressing concerns or complaints from the customers in person. The manager is able to work all service outlets and has the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues, problem solve, and communicate at a high level. They also support the mission by upholding friendly, welcoming service environments that enhance the productivity and morale of the workforce while ensuring the staff is performing to departmental and company standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hire and manage the performance of employees on the Spaceport Events team
• Set and enforce standards for all event operations by developing and executing detailed service plans, timelines, and schedules
• Manage the JIRA ticketing system for all hospitality requests, including events, catering, meetings, and tours
• Oversee the catering report for all food venues, meeting spaces, and event areas
• Coordinate and delegate information regarding large group travel, including accommodations, transportation, and on‑site activities
• Collaborate with fellow Hospitality leadership to plan services in shared spaces, potentially integrating traditional services
• Ensure staff adherence to proper food safety practices
• Create and maintain in‑person and online training materials to support the training of all Hospitality roles and responsibilities
• Monitor staff rotations, break coverage, and day‑to‑day responsibilities
• Communicate directly with vendors for order placements and to address any issues with deliveries or product quality

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of experience in hospitality
• 2+ years of management experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years hospitality management, event planning or related field
• 5+ years of management experience
• 7+ years of food services experience
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Excellent understanding of food safety and sanitation practices
• Strong knowledge of different styles of service including counter, casual, upscale, and fine

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to carry large heavy items unassisted (up to 25lbs)
• Ability to work gracefully under pressure
• Able to perform frequent bending, stooping, and lifting of objects
• Able to stand for long periods of time – up to 10 hours a day
• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime, weekends and holiday as needed
• Ability to travel and support all SpaceXAI sites as needed
• Must participate in internal leadership and development training
• Adaptability, problem‑solving skills, and extreme attention to detail
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively
• Valid California Food Handler and RBS Certification or willingness to obtain them before employment
• Must have or be able to obtain manager level food safety certification

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$130,000 - $160,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at SpaceXAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .