Associate Manager, Hospitality and Events

O'Neill Beverages Co., LLC•Big Bend, CA

8d•$73,500 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Manager, Hospitality and Events leads the on-site events as polished, well-executed experiences, while also serving as a key leader within the estate's broader hospitality team. This person manages Event Captain(s) and helps lead Wine Educators alongside the Tasting Room Manager, ensuring consistent hospitality standards across both the daily tasting room experience and the estate's full events calendar. Working closely with the Manager, Hospitality and Guest Experience and internal partners, the position coordinates operational planning for Member, Trade, Media, and company events, and owns execution from setup through closeout. For paid private client events, the role serves as the primary point of contact with the external event contractor for event planning and operational coordination. This role owns staffing plans, directs vendors and setup on the day of the event, manages the floor during service, and uses independent judgment to resolve staffing, vendor, or service issues in real time without prior approval, ensuring each event reflects Ram's Gate's hospitality and service standards. For internally produced events, this role owns the full process from planning through execution, including selecting and booking vendors based on the approved concept, building staffing plans, directing setup, and owning the event budget, including vendor negotiation and spend decisions within approved guidelines. The ideal candidate moves seamlessly between detailed operational preparation and dynamic onsite leadership. They build authentic connections, inspire teams through thoughtful communication, and remain composed and focused on solutions as needs evolve. By placing people first, including team members, guests, members, and the community, they create distinctive experiences that deepen brand engagement and support the winery's continued growth and reputation.

Requirements

1-3 years of event operations or hospitality leadership experience, including experience with event coordination and hands-on event execution, or three or more years of progressive event service and operations experience.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff, including providing input on hiring, performance evaluation, or disciplinary matters, is strongly preferred.
Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop event timelines, coordinate staffing and vendors, finalize event details, prepare facilities for events, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment under time pressure, including resolving real-time issues during live events without needing prior approval.
Ability to transition between office-based event preparation, hands-on event operations and daily tasting room leadership.
Passionate about wine, elevated hospitality, and sustainable practices.
Solution-oriented, highly accountable, detail-focused, and comfortable owning event execution from setup through breakdown.
Certification in California Food Handler Training, California RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) Training, and California Alcohol Server Training, each required within 30 days of employment.
Must be at least 21 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Winery, luxury hospitality, restaurant, catering, or event-venue experience is preferred.
Experience with banquet event orders, event-management systems, and elevated dining or luxury service standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

Build staffing plans for externally-booked events.
Collaborate with senior leadership and internal partners to translate approved concepts into detailed operational plans for Member, Trade, Media, and company events.
Partner with Hospitality and Culinary leadership, select/book vendors based on event concepts, build staffing plans, direct setup, and own the event budget including vendor negotiation and spend decisions within the approved guidelines for internally produced events.
Serve as the primary point of contact with the external event contractor to confirm the operational details necessary for successful event delivery for private client events.
Review event orders, timelines, floor plans, guest counts, staffing, vendor access, rentals, culinary and wine service requirements, and facility needs.
Build staffing plans, direct vendors, and direct event setup on the day of the event for private client events.
Coordinate event-space preparation, rentals, equipment, vendor access, setup timing, and facility requirements.
Conduct site visits and pre-event walkthroughs as needed to confirm operational readiness.
Host polished and informative property walkthroughs for prospective and contracted clients in partnership with the external event contractor.
Complete post-event documentation, communicate relevant feedback, coordinate vendor and staffing follow-up, and identify opportunities to improve future events.
Assist in the development and delivery of unique, differentiated events that enhance guest engagement.
Ensure each event reflects creativity and high standards.
Develop event staffing plans in partnership with the Manager, Hospitality & Guest Experience, including coordinating internal and supplemental event staff.
Communicate assignments, call times, service expectations, and event-specific responsibilities.
Serve as the on-site operational leader for winery-produced and private client events from setup through breakdown.
Direct the Event Captain, event staff, and vendors; coordinate service timing with culinary and hospitality teams; monitor guest flow; and ensure the event reflects the winery's standards of hospitality.
Exercise independent judgment to resolve staffing changes, issues, or service disruptions in real time.
Serve as the Assistant Manager of the Tasting Room in daily operations, and lead Wine Educators under the Tasting Room Manager’s direction.
Participate in and occasionally lead daily hospitality lineups.
Provide input on hiring, performance evaluations, and disciplinary decisions.
Mentor and develop Event Captains and Wine Educators in meeting monthly goals, as part of the estate’s hospitality leadership pipeline.
Communicate event details and proactively address any challenges with the Manager, Hospitality and Guest Experience, Chef, and Hospitality Leadership, escalating to the Senior Director, Luxury Estates as needed for high-visibility events.
Serve as a positive change agent with an innovation mindset, championing new initiatives and bringing forth fresh ideas to drive growth and elevation through the lens of hospitality.
Work collaboratively, fostering solution-oriented, positive, and open communication.
Lead with agility and forward-thinking, guided by humble leadership and the assumption of positive intent.
Model and reinforce Ram's Gate's hospitality, sustainability, and brand ambassador standards among staff, both during events and in daily tasting room operations.