Manager, Catering & Events at The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation – Arlington, Texas

Position Summary

The Manager, Catering & Events supports the execution of all banquet and catering operations at the National Medal of Honor Museum, serving as the secondary lead for event operations. This role is responsible for staffing, scheduling, and on-the-ground execution of events, ensuring all service standards are met with excellence and consistency. Working closely with the Senior Manager, Catering & Events, this position leads frontline teams and oversees event logistics from setup through breakdown. The Manager plays a critical role in delivering seamless guest experiences by ensuring the right people, processes, and resources are in place for every event.

What We’re Looking For

• A hands-on, service-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced event environment
• A strong people manager who excels at staffing, scheduling, and team development
• A detail-oriented operator who ensures consistency and excellence in execution
• proactive problem-solver who can adapt quickly during live events
• A collaborative partner who works effectively across departments to support event success
• A leader who thrives in mission-driven environments and honors the significance of our venue.

Primary Responsibilities

Event Executions & Operations

• Serve as the on-site lead for event execution, ensuring seamless setup, service, and breakdown
• Direct banquet staff and captains during events to uphold service standards and timing
• Execute event floorplans, room sets, flips, and transitions in alignment with BEOs
• Partner with Culinary and Stewarding teams to ensure readiness and smooth service flow
• Troubleshoot real-time operational challenges and adjust staffing or service as needed
• Ensure all event spaces are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation
• Manage bar and beverage operations including inventory control, ordering, receiving, stocking, and reconciliation.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of event supplies, equipment, and linens
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and care of all event-related equipment

Client & Vendor Management

• Partner closely with Private Event Sales to ensure smooth transition from contract to execution.
• Serve as primary liaison third-party staffing agencies and secondary point of contact for all other event parters such as valet, florals, rentals etc.
• Assist with client communication for events to ensure seamless execution.

Event Coordination & Communication

• Support the execution of Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) in partnership with the Senior Manager
• Participate in pre-event briefings to ensure team alignment on event details and expectations
• Communicate event updates, changes, and needs to staff and cross-functional partners in real time
• Collaborate with internal teams (Security, Facilities, AV, Culinary) to support event readiness

Event CRM Workflow

• Ensure accurate event data flow between Sales, Finance, and Catering operations.
• Ensure all details relevant to each event are entered correctly and updated as needed
• Identify process improvements and system optimizations to enhance operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise banquet event staff.
• Manage payroll input and overtime monitoring for hourly staff.
• Provide ongoing service coaching and conduct service trainings.
• Identify and develop Banquet Captains and key leadership team members.
• Monitor and track TABC and Food Safety certifications; establish compliance benchmarks.
• Conduct monthly safety review sessions.

Pay and Benefits

Competitive salary range of $75,000 – $78,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Skilled at fine dining service and full-service etiquette
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a professional, collaborative manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills; can effectively communicate and relate to all levels within and outside the organization; creates and builds positive and productive relationships
• Ability and willingness to respond quickly and effectively to changing trends and circumstances; embraces change and welcomes fresh perspectives.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, use of hands to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms
• Ability to lift and/ or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision
• Proficient in Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint required
• Must be able to work non-traditional shifts to include extended hours and flexible schedule, including early mornings, weekends, days, nights, and holidays
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• High School Diploma or GED required
• At least three (3) years’ experience of progressive leadership experience in catering or banquets hospitality management in a large volume event venue
• Experience with CRM/Event Management system - Tripleseat experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing high-volume or high-profile events in a museum, cultural institution, luxury venue, hotel or destination event space.
• Experience in leading teams and managing resources to get projects completed; has a strong ability to multi-task and keep organized
• Current TABC and Food Manager Certifications (or ability to obtain)

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Foundation’s leadership is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and access to facilities and programs.