Hybrid SPECIAL EVENTS & BAR MANAGER bei The San Diego Natural History Museum

Love nature? Then you’re going to love The Nat. 

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. The Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and completed a strategic plan focused on encouraging a love for nature, levering science and collections for conservation, and using our own voice to be here for nature. 

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking a Special Events and Bar Manager that will coordinate event production and manage the beverage program. Working in close collaboration with the Sr Director of Hospitality and colleagues across the organization, the Special Events and Bar Manager will plan internal and external events, along with managing all components of bar services. The ideal candidate is highly organized, customer service focused, loves details, and has a strong grasp of the food and beverage industry. 

Your Day-to-Day Work 

In this role, you will manage the Museum’s Banquet Beverage Services and the production and on-site execution of events, including supervisory duties for the part-time beverage and event staff. You’ll handle site visits, BEOs, inventory, and managing vendor relationships. You’ll work hand-in-hand with the operations team to produce successful events, and you’ll develop policies and procedures for all bar services.  

Production of Facility Usage Events  

• Coordinates the production of Facility Usage events 
• Conducts walk-throughs with booked clients and/or vendors
• Advises the client throughout the planning process and provides pre-event guidance to clients to ensure adherence to all Museum regulations
• Creates work orders and diagrams and distributes to key departments
• Develops professional relationships with vendors and works closely with them throughout the event planning process, including the load-in and load-out logistics
• Is knowledgeable on emergency procedures during event planning and the day of the event.
• Provides on-site expertise and excellent customer service to the client throughout the planning, duration of the event, and post event.
• Provides on-site coverage at events, supervising all Event and Bar staff.
• Works closely with numerous Museum departments to ensure proper communication and that event logistics are secured.

Banquet Beverage Services  

• Responsible for meeting the banquet beverage department’s budget goals
• Works with beverage distributors and wholesale suppliers
• Responsible for the purchasing, receiving, storing, and inventory of beer, wine, distilled spirits, and bar products, equipment, and supplies
• Responsible for developing par levels on all bar products
• Designs and updates beverage packages based on available products
• Responsible for maintaining and updating the wine list and curating specialty cocktail recipes
• Develops product and revenue control systems and procedures to improve accountability
• Ensures that staff comply with all health and safety regulations, including regular trainings. 
• Ensures that all laws applicable to the service of alcoholic beverages are consistently followed
• Assists with the sale of beverage services – creating proposals, BEOs, invoices, and receipts
• Responsible for the organization, set-up and execution of all events based on the BEO (Banquet Event Order), schedule, and other specifications
• Implements cash and cashless handling procedures
• Reviews staffing pools and makes hiring recommendations
• Coordinates Responsible Beverage Service training for all banquet beverage staff 
• Schedules all staff for banquet beverage and event shifts

What You Bring 

You’ll have the ability to toggle between day-to-day event planning and building a successful bar program. You’ll be able to offer strong creative ideas and fabulous organizational details to meet client needs. You’ll inspire and train staff to offer the best customer service possible. 

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree preferred, special event certification and bartending license a plus. 
• 2-3 years special events and banquet bar experience required
• Must have experience managing staff
• Exemplary customer service skills 
• Must have rigorous attention to detail, ability to manage multiple deadlines, and excellent organizational abilities
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Database experience preferred 
• Ability to work late nights and weekends
• Must be guest-oriented and service-minded

The Special Events and Bar Services Manager will report to the Sr Director of Hospitality and work alongside the Special Events Manager and collaborate with many internal departments, including Education and Engagement, Visitor Services, Science, Development, Volunteers, and Communications.  

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums, and more. 

Pay: $24 - $27.32 per hour

Ready to apply? 

In your application please include a cover letter and resume.

A little more about us. 

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. Having recently completed a strategic plan, The Nat is looking forward to an exciting new era as it completes its 150th anniversary. We are evermore focused on innovative audience engagement and a strengthened role in conservation. 

For more information about The Nat please go to sdnat.org.