Chicago Winery-Event Captain
The First Batch wineries create magic for our guests everyday, whether that’s bringing a dream wedding to life, creating a new delicious food dish from our wine, or letting people discover a new passion on one of our winery tours. We do this while maintaining an approachable, warm, inclusive, down-to-earth attitude that reflects our passion to bring traditional winemaking into urban centers so people don’t feel they have to travel to experience the magic of winemaking.
We are searching for team members who are committed to working as hospitality professionals. People who deeply care about creating a friendly, warm experience for our guests. People who live and breathe passion for food, wine and events. People that love to learn, share, and tell others about their stories and adventures.
Position Summary
The Event Captain will support the events team and staff to ensure that the events are set properly and run smoothly and efficiently. The Event Captain is the leader and point of contact for the staff, and must be hospitable and engaging to all guests. They must be able to cross cover any staff position to ensure the success of events. This position requires a calm demeanor during high paced and intense situations, attentiveness to all guests, and the ability to easily communicate with staff and clientele. The event captain will report directly to the Banquet Manager.
Core Responsibilities:
Client and Guest Experience
- Proactively engages with guests to ensure a positive guest experience
- Handles guest concerns and reacts quickly and professionally
- Ensure that client and vendor items are promptly returned in their original condition at the conclusion of the event
Staff and Service
- Responsible for ensuring staff is aware and ready to execute daily assignments and side work to be completed.
- Monitors staff’s performance and provides feedback to Event Staff during events
- Assists in facilitating trainings for the Event Staff on Chicago Wineries food and wine offerings and service standards
- Leads and supervises the Event Staff in all aspects to ensure service standards are followed
- Ensures that all banquet staff are well-groomed and in proper uniform before clocking in.
Event Service
- Leads event staff during operations to ensure events are executed at the highest level
- Reviews all Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) & layouts to ensure proper set-ups are in place
- Assures proper inventory of all banquet service equipment and supplies to meet required needs.
- Responsible for the execution of the setup, move, and breakdown of tables, chairs, bars and other event items in accordance with event floorplans to ready the space before, during and after the event.
- Regularly inspects all front and back of the house service areas and equipment to assure that sanitation, safety, preventive maintenance and other standards for the department are met
- Successfully completes any other duties as directed by the Banquet Manager and/or Event Managers
Admin
- Responsible for retrieving, placing and returning printed collateral for events ( menus, signage, etc…)
- Assists and completes all inventory logs (alcohol consumption, event item inventory, etc)
Desired Skills and Experience
- 3+ years of experience in hospitality and special events
- Demonstrated ability to work with maximum accuracy, efficiency and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interface with clients; must demonstrate professional and business etiquette
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and outgoing
- Flexible schedule with weekends and nights available.
- Ability to establish productive relationships with guests and co-workers
- Ability to thrive independently as well as in a team environment
- Must demonstrate proficient knowledge and use of computer and basic programs (e.g., Google Suite including Google Docs & Spreadsheets)
Compensation
Physical Requirements
- Able to independently lift up to 25lbs for an extended period of time
- Must be able to walk and/or stand for 8-12 hours per day
- Hand-eye coordination
- Reaching, bending twisting, stooping
- Pushing and Pulling
- Lifting overhead
- Must be able to climb stairs in venue that have multiple levels
Chicago Winery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
The above requirements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
