Event Operations Manager

Blue Plate Catering•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Event Operations Manager is responsible for the leadership, coordination, and execution of Blue Plate’s Front of House (FOH) event service operations, including large-scale event production and logistics oversight. This role ensures consistent service excellence and standards across all events through effective management of FOH teams, staffing coordination, training support, and on-site operational execution. This position oversees service staffing guidelines and performance management for their direct reports, while also directing event production logistics that impact FOH execution, including event readiness, flow, and on-site operational setup. The Event Operations Manager works closely with the Director of Operations and collaborates with Sales, Culinary, and Warehouse leadership to ensure seamless event execution and exceptional guest experience. This role is accountable for maintaining FOH service standards, ensuring event staffing and logistics are properly aligned to operational needs, and supporting SOP compliance across FOH operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or related field preferred.
Minimum of 5 years’ event service management experience required.
Prior leadership experience in recruitment, training, and event operations preferred.
Ability to demonstrate strong affinity for Blue Plate’s mission: Our mission is to “care more” for others through food and service experiences that turn our partner’s vision into reality.
Proven leadership and team building skills.
Strong understanding of culinary and service integration in event operations.
Ability to function independently and intuitively in a fast-paced environment.
Highly organized/strong attention to detail.
Professional, composed, and effective under pressure.
Experience managing large pools of event staff and vendor partnerships.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English required.
Bilingual skills preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or related field preferred.
Prior leadership experience in recruitment, training, and event operations preferred.
Bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Review, approve, or provide feedback (including questions or edits) on all event staffing requests submitted through CaterXpert to ensure alignment with operational needs and service standards.
Attend bi-weekly production meetings prepared to discuss staffing requirements, event logistics, and operational considerations.
Lead FOH event execution to ensure high-quality service delivery and consistent guest experience across all events.
Oversee FOH production logistics, including event setup readiness, service flow, and staging to ensure operational efficiency.
Lead operational planning meetings for complex VIP, and large-scale events.
Responsible for large-scale event production planning with focus on FOH execution requirements and operational logistics.
Conduct event walk-throughs to assess FOH readiness, staffing alignment, and service flow.
Provide real-time FOH leadership and oversight during high-profile and large-scale events.
Ensure FOH teams are properly briefed, prepared, and supported for each event.
Collaborate with Sales and internal teams on client walkthroughs and event planning as needed.
Partner with the Director of Operations and Executive Field Chef to execute event service strategy and large-scale production coordination.
Responsible for procurement, tracking, and inventory management of all uniforms and operational equipment.
Directly manage Event Operations Manager and FOH service teams including Event Supervisors, Captains, Servers, Bartenders.
Responsible for annual performance reviews and goal setting for all direct reports.
Provide continuous improvement by documenting performance, providing actionable feedback, and implementing coaching strategies that strengthen overall team execution.
Partner with HR on performance management, corrective actions, and employee relations.
Development and execution of FOH training programs, including onboarding and ongoing service education.
Ensure FOH service standards are consistently communicated and reinforced across teams.
Evaluate training effectiveness and support continuous improvement of onboarding processes.
Conduct post-event debriefs focused on FOH service execution and guest experience.
Oversee on-site payroll execution by ensuring accurate clock-in/clock-out procedures and proper sign-in/sign-out practices, with all timesheets completed and submitted in accordance with Blue Plate standards and timelines.
Support labor management efforts by monitoring staffing levels and controlling overtime to align with labor efficiency goals.