Food & Beverage Events Manager

Wexford Hilton Head•Hilton Head, SC

39d•Onsite

About The Position

Wexford Hilton Head is seeking an organized, service-oriented Food & Beverage Events Manager to oversee private events, catering, and event sales. This position coordinates event planning and execution while delivering personalized hospitality to Wexford members and guests. With annual catering, member, and private event revenues exceeding $450,000, this position is responsible for growing event revenue, increasing facility utilization, and developing new event opportunities while maintaining Wexford’s service standards. The Food & Beverage Events Manager manages an active event calendar that includes weddings, member-hosted private events, golf tournaments and outings, corporate meetings and retreats, charitable events, holiday celebrations, and Club-sponsored social events. The successful candidate combines event sales experience with strong organizational skills and hands-on operational oversight. This position manages each event from the initial inquiry and booking through detailed planning, internal communication, and execution. The Food & Beverage Events Manager works closely with the Club Manager, Executive Chef, Food & Beverage leadership team, and other Wexford departments to meet revenue and profitability goals and provide an exceptional member and guest experience.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of progressive catering sales, private event, or hospitality management experience within a high-volume private country, golf, yacht, or city club; luxury hotel; resort; or premier event venue.
Demonstrated success selling and executing weddings, large private events, corporate functions, golf-related events, and concurrent multi-space functions.
Proven ability to generate revenue, convert qualified leads, upsell event offerings, and build long-term member and client relationships.
Strong knowledge of banquet operations, event logistics, BEO preparation, floor-plan development, food and beverage service, and event financial management.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, organizational ability, and financial awareness.
Ability to manage multiple events, sales opportunities, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
Professional presence and demonstrated ability to work effectively with members, clients, Club leadership, vendors, outside event professionals, and employees at all organizational levels.
Proficiency with club management, POS, event-management, CRM, and standard business software.
Experience with Jonas and Clubessential is preferred.
Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule based upon business demands, including evenings, weekends, holidays, weddings, and other major Club events.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Jonas and Clubessential is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the full sales cycle for private events, weddings, member functions, corporate events, golf outings, and other catering opportunities from initial inquiry through signed agreement.
Respond promptly and professionally to event inquiries, conduct site tours, prepare proposals, develop customized event experiences, and actively follow up with prospective clients to maximize booking conversion.
Develop and maintain an active sales pipeline and provide regular reporting on inquiries, site tours, proposals, tentative bookings, confirmed events, projected revenue, conversion rates, and lost business.
Maximize event revenue through strategic upselling of food and beverage packages, premium bar offerings, wine service, specialty culinary stations, late-night food offerings, room and venue rentals, and other appropriate event enhancements.
Identify opportunities to increase utilization of Club facilities during historically underutilized dates, dayparts, and seasons.
Build and maintain relationships with members, wedding planners, event professionals, corporate contacts, and other appropriate referral sources to generate future event opportunities.
Partner with the Executive Chef and Club Manager to develop competitive and profitable banquet menus, packages, pricing strategies, and event offerings.
Manage the complete event workflow from initial inquiry, qualification, site tour, proposal, and contract development through detailed planning, internal handoff, and event execution.
Prepare accurate and comprehensive Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), floor plans, timelines, diagrams, menus, and run-of-show documents.
Ensure all event details, contractual commitments, pricing, menus, beverage selections, guest counts, billing instructions, setup requirements, vendor arrangements, and special requests are accurately documented and communicated.
Lead weekly BEO meetings with culinary, dining, and Food & Beverage management, incorporating Golf, Racquets, Security, Facilities, Communications, and other Club departments as appropriate.
Establish and maintain clear internal deadlines for final guest counts, menu selections, floor plans, rental requirements, staffing needs, and other critical event information.
Coordinate with the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage leadership regarding staffing requirements, service standards, equipment needs, rentals, and event logistics.
Maintain a visible management presence during major events, weddings, and other high-profile functions to ensure proper setup, execution, service standards, and member/client satisfaction.
Provide execution oversight while appropriately utilizing banquet, dining, culinary, and service leadership so that sufficient time remains dedicated to sales development, lead follow-up, and future event generation.
Conduct post-event reviews when appropriate to identify operational successes, service opportunities, financial results, and areas for continuous improvement.
Serve as the Club's primary sales contact for prospective weddings and other significant private events.
Conduct professional venue tours, develop customized proposals, maintain consistent follow-up, and guide prospective clients through the decision-making and contracting process.
Actively manage wedding leads with the objective of maximizing conversion while maintaining the exclusivity, service standards, and financial objectives of the Club.
Maintain appropriate separation between the Club's responsibilities and those of an outside wedding planner or event coordinator while ensuring seamless communication and coordination among all parties.
Coordinate Club-controlled elements including venue access, food and beverage, staffing, equipment, rentals, floor plans, facility requirements, and operational timelines.
Protect the Club's financial and operational interests by ensuring contractual requirements, deposits, payment schedules, cancellation provisions, food and beverage minimums, venue fees, and established deadlines are consistently followed.
Serve as the principal liaison for members and clients hosting private functions and provide highly personalized, responsive service throughout the sales and planning process.
Develop trusted relationships with members and clients while professionally managing expectations, operational limitations, contractual requirements, and last-minute requests.
Provide proactive and timely communication throughout the planning process so members and clients remain informed and confident in the Club's preparation for their event.
Respond promptly to concerns and service-recovery situations and involve the Club Manager or General Manager/COO when appropriate.
Conduct appropriate post-event follow-up and actively solicit feedback to strengthen relationships and encourage repeat business and referrals.
Maintain accurate event records, contracts, deposits, payment schedules, BEOs, billing information, and related documentation.
Maintain data integrity within the Club's management and technology systems, including Jonas, Clubessential, and other applicable POS, CRM, event-management, or administrative platforms.
Review final event charges for accuracy and ensure all applicable food, beverage, labor, rentals, venue fees, taxes, service charges, and other event charges are properly captured.
Assist the Club Manager with annual catering revenue budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, and event profitability analysis.
Monitor event revenue, labor utilization, outside rental expenses, and other controllable event costs.
Provide regular reporting regarding sales pipeline, confirmed business, forecasted event revenue, event profitability, facility utilization, and progress toward established goals.
Track the source of event inquiries and lost-business reasons to identify sales opportunities, competitive trends, and areas for improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.