Banquet Lead - Full Time - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Safari Park•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Banquet Lead oversees event execution under direction, including food service, setup and clearing, and the attractive, safe, and efficient presentation of food and beverages. The role ensures catering customers at the Zoo or Safari Park are served promptly and courteously, helps clarify event details with the Retail office, and recommends ways to improve service and customer satisfaction. The position is responsible for executing high-quality banquet events and may assist in other Retail outlets as needed. It reports to Retail Management. The Banquet Lead oversees event operations and employees, room setup and reset, food and beverage service, and coordination with the Chef and Back of House team. The role adapts to schedule or contract changes, completes event orders and paperwork, trains and coaches employees, promotes a positive and professional team environment, and ensures compliance with safety, sanitation, banquet practices, and alcohol-awareness standards. It supports strong guest service, maintains banquet facilities and equipment, assigns cleaning tasks, maintains cleaning logs, oversees inventory, orders event supplies, and uses point-of-sale and inventory systems.

Requirements

High school diploma.
RBS training within 30 days.
Food Handler’s Card within 30 days.
Education, training, or work experience sufficient to perform the essential duties and demonstrate the required knowledge and skills.
Lead and supervise responsibilities.
Effective customer service skills.
Knowledge of food-service methods, materials, and equipment; safety rules and regulations; menu items, ingredients, and cooking methods; and inventory controls and procedures.
Basic computer usage and ability to operate and understand point-of-sale and inventory systems.
Effective leadership practices and ability to keep accurate, detailed records.
Ability to multitask, prioritize business demands, work competently with large groups in a diverse environment, carry out instructions, and communicate clearly and positively.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of experience working in a Zoo or Theme Park environment.

Responsibilities

Oversee event operations, employees, room setup and reset, food and beverage service, and catering-event coordination.
Ensure events are carried out according to banquet booking orders and adapt to last-minute schedule or contract changes.
Transport banquet food and supplies and communicate effectively with the Chef and Back of House team.
Complete event orders and related paperwork accurately and on time.
Train, mentor, coach, and provide performance feedback to banquet employees.
Work with other departments to ensure successful banquet events and encourage a positive, professional environment.
Ensure staff follow safety, banquet execution, sanitation, and alcohol-awareness standards.
Ensure the team provides strong guest service, including greeting guests and escorting them to and from scheduled activities.
Educate the team to advise guests about menu items.
Clean and maintain banquet equipment and facilities, assign cleaning tasks, and complete cleaning logs.
Oversee inventory, order event items and supplies, and operate point-of-sale and inventory systems.
Assist in other Retail outlets as needed.