Venue Operations and Experience Manager

Walters Hospitality•Lago Vista, TX

2d•$65,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Laiken is a premier event and hospitality destination featuring two event venues, seven luxury villas with 28 guest rooms, and a dedicated Pool House Reception space. We host high-end weddings, social events, and corporate functions where flawless execution and exceptional hospitality aren't a goal — they're the baseline. This is a property that demands a leader who takes pride in that standard. The Venue Operations and Experience Manager reports to the Regional Vice President, Hill Country. The Role We're looking for a hands-on Venue Operations and Experience Manager to lead day-to-day operations at The Laiken. You'll own the full operational experience across lodging, events, food and beverage, and property presentation — ensuring every detail is in place so guests and clients experience the property at its best from arrival through departure. This is not a behind-the-desk role. You'll be present on property, on the event floor, and wherever the team needs you. Our planners own the client relationship and handle all detailed coordination — your job is to make sure operations run seamlessly behind the scenes so they can. When situations escalate, when a real-time decision needs to be made, or when someone needs to step in and take point, that's you. You'll work alongside culinary, maintenance/facilities, and our internal creative partners — floral, photography, entertainment, and beyond — and own the outcomes on your end of those relationships. Strong cross-functional collaboration is essential here.

Requirements

5+ years of leadership experience in hospitality, events, lodging, or food and beverage — ideally across more than one of those areas
Experience managing hourly teams in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment
Strong cross-functional collaborator who can get results without direct authority over every team on property
Demonstrated ability to manage to a budget and understand the financial drivers of operations
Proficient in CRM systems, Google Docs, and Google Sheets
TABC and ServSafe certified (or willing to obtain upon hire)
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
Available evenings, weekends, and holidays — that's when our clients need us most

Responsibilities

Ensure every operational detail is in place so guests and clients experience the property at its best — from room readiness and property presentation to seamless event transitions and on-the-ground responsiveness.
Resolve escalated guest and client concerns with confidence and professionalism.
Hold the line on service standards, cleanliness, safety, and presentation across all spaces.
Lead BEO meetings and serve as the operational point of contact for weddings, social events, and corporate functions.
Conduct pre-event walkthroughs to confirm venue readiness, staffing, and logistics.
Coordinate event-day operations in real time, stepping in to make decisions and solve problems as they arise.
Lead post-event debriefs to identify what worked, what didn't, and how to improve.
Support the planning team as their operational backbone — they lead client relationships, you make sure the property delivers.
Build, schedule, and lead the housekeeping team — including hiring, training, and setting quality standards.
Own room turnover, villa readiness, and cleanliness of all common areas.
Ensure all seven villas and 28 guest rooms are guest-ready at all times.
Recruit, hire, coach, and develop your direct team including Event Managers and Housekeeping.
Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable with consistency and care.
Create a culture of positivity, pride in the work, and high standards.
Own overall labor scheduling in partnership with your Event Manager, building staffing plans around the event calendar and managing to appropriate levels for each day and weekend.
Manage liquor, beer, wine, and bar supply ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships.
Ensure TABC compliance across all events and bar operations.
Serve as the operational bridge between bar service and the culinary team.
Serve as the on-property operational partner for Walters Hospitality's internal teams — floral, culinary, photography, entertainment, and others.
Coordinate timing, logistics, and communication to ensure all teams are set up for success on event days.
Build strong working relationships across internal departments and support them in delivering at the level our clients expect.
Manage operations against an established budget, with accountability for outcomes in labor costs, inventory, and operational expenses.
Monitor spend proactively and identify opportunities to control costs without compromising quality.
Identify and communicate maintenance and repair needs in partnership with the facilities team.
Keep all venues, villas, and common areas in exceptional condition.
Support preventative maintenance planning and facility improvement projects.