Private Events Manager in San Francisco, California at MXB Battery Operations LP

Position: Private Events Manager

Supervisor: Director of Private Events

Department: Private Events This is an on-site position located in San Francisco.

COMPANY PROFILE: The Battery is San Francisco’s unique modern-era private social club. The Battery houses seven bars and casual, yet stellar dining rooms serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. It has private event spaces and catering, and a boutique 14 room hotel including penthouse suites. Gardens, and breathtaking views of San Francisco add to the unique ambiance. The Battery offers a dynamic membership program including frequent lecturers, eclectic performing arts, curated experiences, publications, and excursions. The Club also houses The Battery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, supported by our Members, that has made more than $30 million in grants since its inception.

POSITION PROFILE:

Under the direction of the Director of Private Events, the Private Events Manager oversees all aspects of private event operations with a focus on sales and top line revenue. This is a full-time position and the working hours will vary depending on the needs of the operations, including nights and weekends when applicable. Work related duties must be done onsite.

This is a relationship-driven, sales-focused position suited for someone with hospitality and private events experience who can balance client-facing sales work with operational oversight. The role works closely with Sales, Events, and Food & Beverage leadership to grow the private events business while delivering consistent, well-run events that meet the club’s standards.

Battery Private Events The Private Events team produces a wide range of events, including but not limited to: corporate and social events, conferences, meetings, high end culinary events, and wine and spirit tastings.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or for other reasons.

Sales & Business Development

● Develop new connections and grow existing business through relationship cultivation, networking, and client prospecting.

● Manage outbound sales strategies including, but not limited to, cold calls, sales blitzes, social media, and other print & digital marketing.

● Connect with new potential clientele on a weekly basis.

● Respond to incoming emails and phone calls pertaining to inquiries and possible event bookings.

● Upsell private event clients on food & beverage, third party vendors, and other enhancements.

● Build and manage sales materials, including digital and printed materials.

Administrative & Operations

● Assist in keeping department costs at or below budget and work toward budgetary goals set for the department.

● Build and manage client contracts proposals, invoices, BEOs, and floorplans. Ensuring deadlines are met for contract completion, payments, and food & beverage selections.

● Manage in-house staffing levels, including scheduling of line staff.

● Oversee inventory of event items, including but not limited to banquet furniture, event equipment, beverages and dry goods.

● Manage the annual events calendar and stay familiar with the San Francisco convention calendar, including recurring Moscone Center events.

● Supervise proper tabulation of Private Events checks and ensure timely completion.

● Coordinate events effectively with culinary and food & beverage teams.

● Communicate effectively with other departments to ensure smooth service delivery, including daily briefings and other scheduled meetings.

● Manage multi-million dollar program budgets, including invoicing, schedules of payments, and final billing.

● Develop project strategy from concept to completion across multiple departments, including Operations, Registration, Web Development, and Accounting.

● Oversee all aspects of day-to-day implementation, including statement of work development, contract negotiation, staffing, vendor selection, site management, speaker and content management, food and beverage, audiovisual, production, function space allocation, and on-site operations.

● Assist the Member Events team with planning large internal events.

Events Coordination and Guest Experience

● Establish and maintain strong client relationships.

● Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters that occur during private events.

● Make personal contact with guests during events and assist with any requests.

● Maintain a floor presence and communicate directly with clients on-site.

● Personally greet clients upon arrival and introduce them to the Manager on Duty for that event.

● Follow up with clients post-event to measure client satisfaction.

● Exceed guest expectations and communicate to the supervisor any situations in which a guest’s needs were not met to their satisfaction.

Employee Relations

● Help hire and train event staff as needed.

● Attend pre-shift meetings as necessary and conduct informative, professional line-ups before every event in conjunction with other members of the private events team.

● Lead and attend weekly BEO meetings with the Director of Private Events and other team members.

● Actively manage and schedule internal hourly employees and outsourced labor when applicable.

● Create clear guidelines for both back-of-house and front-of-house team members, working as a team with other food & beverage managers and directors.

● Uphold grooming standards and consistently check the appearance and grooming of all staff present.

● Inform staff of upcoming private events.

● Communicate to the supervisor immediately when employee issues arise that cannot be resolved independently.

● Ensure that standards, policies, and procedures are maintained, including the Battery Courtesies.

Additional duties as needed.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

● Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English.

● Strong sales acumen with the ability to build relationships and close business.

● Can creatively solve problems and effectively implement solutions.

● Must be able to deal with guests, vendors, and clients in a professional manner while maintaining a composed demeanor in high-stress situations.

● Good time management skills; can manage and complete priorities and workflow, be detail-oriented, and work with a sense of urgency.

● Ability to learn and perform in a fast-paced environment.

● Ability to work both independently and in a team environment, and able to handle multiple tasks.

● Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

● High school diploma or equivalent. College degree preferred.

● Minimum three years of event planning and sales experience in an upscale casual or fine dining atmosphere.

● Basic math and computer skills, including familiarity with Google Office Suite and MS Office.

● Familiarity with event software and generating a BEO.

● Must hold a valid food handler’s and RBS certification.

● Flexibility with schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

● Ability to work up to 40+ hours per week in a full-time position.

● Take direction well; understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

You must possess the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, and be able to meet the following requirements:

● Maneuver freely through all areas of the property.

● Heavy member/guest contact is required.

● Must be able to tolerate varying noise levels, temperature, illumination, and air quality.

● Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

● Must be able to respond to visual or aural cues.

● Continuously or periodically bend, twist, lean, lift, push, pull, kneel, walk, stand, and/or sit up to 8+ hours per shift.

● Lift up to 50 pounds in order to perform the essential functions.

● Work in a fast-paced environment and sometimes stressful situations.

● Work in an environment where the climate constantly changes.