Special Events Bar Captain

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free admissions to exhibitions

Employee pricing for programs and VMFA

Discounts at VMFA Cafe and Shop

Job summary

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA seeks a Special Events Bar Captain to lead beverage service during events. The role emphasizes professional guest interaction, bar setup, inventory control, and staff supervision to ensure high-quality service.

The position requires experience in fine dining or event service, bartending skills, and the ability to work weekends/evenings. Competitive hourly pay and staff perks accompany this role.

Qualifications

• Prior fine dining or food service experience, especially for events.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional demeanor with guests and staff.
• Ability to operate the point-of-sale register system and handle transactions.
• Ability to manage fast-paced, high-volume event situations.
• Ability to work as part of a team and adapt to different assignments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and use standard beverage recipes and prepare drinks per ABC guidelines.
• Ensure staff fulfill duties and maintain bar stock and inventory.
• Set up and break down bars, assist on the floor as needed.
• Monitor IDs and ensure valid identification for guests.
• Oversee bar operations to maintain control of alcohol and record transfers.
• Train additional staff as needed and coordinate event bar setup.

Skills

Fine dining experience

Excellent interpersonal skills

POS system operation

Ability to handle fast-paced events

Team collaboration

Tools

POS system

Job description

Title: Special Events Bar Captain

State Role Title: Food Services Technician II - 79212

Hiring Range: $20.00 per hour

Pay Band: 02

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Agency Website: https://vmfa.museum/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Department: Food Services

About Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

About Food Services Department

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), we facilitate beautiful memories.

Our Events Team is relentlessly passionate about their work. Every event detail is a touchpoint, a foundational pinning, evoking the right ambiance, feeling, and desired energy. Our dedicated service professionals bear witness and make possible some of the best days ever for our guests.

“…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Why Join the Events Team?

Flexible Scheduling

The team works to provide reasonable and advanced-scheduling notice to staff within the agreed upon availability. We are open 365 days a year, therefore there are a variety of shifts to work.

Team-centric

Work with people whose talents shine not only at work but also beyond work hours. Many of our staff are creatives who find an ease in serving others, have an eye for the details, and enjoy the flexibility this position offers.

Mission-Driven

Revenue from Events and other Enterprise operations directly supports museum operations. VMFA is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. Our purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art and to encourage the study of the arts.

Professional Environment

Professionalism is a key tenet in our workplace. We treat each other no less than how we treat our guests. Come create career-supportive relationships with some of the best service professionals in the industry. Learn and grow with us.

Perks

All VMFA staff enjoy free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse, Floris, Best Café and the VMFA Shop.

General Information

The work is straightforward, making guests feel special.

Special Events Bar Captains accommodate guests while remaining professional, engaged and motivated. During events, staff duties may include serving tables, replenishing food stations, clearing glassware and more. This position is also responsible for the setting up and breaking down of services items in event areas.

Here is how the Special Events Bar Captain accomplishes this as part of a team:

• Develop and use standard beverage recipes. Mix drinks based on serving size outlined by management and Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) guidelines.
• Ensure all staff are fulfilling their duties.
• Flexibility and knowledge to work on the floor as needed.
• Prepare bars and keep them stocked throughout the shift. Maintain inventory of glassware, utensils and bar tools.
• Check ID’s of guests and ensure that all forms of identification are valid.
• Monitor alcohol inventory to maintain appropriate levels. Maintain wine coolers and liquor storage rooms.
• Complete consumption reports after shift.
• Maintain tight controls on alcohol throughout shift. Perform accurate recording of all alcohol transfers.
• Supervise set up and breakdown of bars before and after each event.
• Train additional staff members as needed.
• Set-up area(s) to specifications, bringing life to event’s vision; linens, lighting, décor, accessories, etcetera.
• Anticipate and accommodate guest needs, respond to requests in a professional and polite manner.
• Serve fantastic fare to guests, replenish food stations, drinks, and ensure that guests’ needs are met.
• Support other event-related activities.
• Break down event and bar area, returning space to pre-event status.

Minimum Qualifications

• Prior fine dining or food service experience, particularly in event service.
• Prior bartending experience and training, particularly in event service.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate a professional demeanor with guests and other employees.
• Ability to operate the point-of-sale register system, including processing credit card and cash transactions.
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow basic directions, floor plans, menus and instruction.
• Ability to handle fast paced, high volume situations during an event.
• Ability to remain calm, professional and gracious in a fast paced, high-pressure environment.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and appearance during shifts.
• Ability to receive feedback well.
• Ability to be prompt and punctual to scheduled shifts.
• Ability to use fine and gross motor skills; finger and hand dexterity; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear; and taste and smell.
• Ability to stand or walk for up to 10 hours.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Flexible availability that includes weekends and evenings.
• Ability to work as part of a team; flexible when given different assignments and directions.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision.

Additional Considerations

• RSVP, TIPS, ServSafe and other ABC and food safety related certifications.
• Previous experience leading a cocktail or special/private events bar program.

Special Instructions

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

All applicants must submit an online application. This position will close at 11:55 pm on the designated closing date listed at the top of this posting on Jobs.Virginia.gov. VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

Name: HR Services

Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.

Email: [e-mail] for recruitment related questions.

Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.