Banquet Manager – (Los Angeles, California, United States)

USC Auxiliary Services, one of the largest divisions at The University of Southern California, is focused on making a difference for over 65,000 students, athletes, faculty, staff, and guests who visit our campuses each day.  Through our innovative services, our six central business units (USC Bookstores, USC Hospitality, USC Housing, USC Transportation, the USC Hotel and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) collectively create the best USC experience for future leaders, scientists, filmmakers, engineers, and doctors alike. Auxiliary Services works tirelessly to welcome all visitors into the Trojan family. We are driven to succeed by our commitment to uphold our six unifying values in Integrity, Excellence, Well-Being, Open Communication, Accountability, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

We are seeking a Banquet Manager to join our rapidly growing Town & Gown team.

The Opportunity:

We are a team of dedicated professionals, driven to create exquisite events that far exceed our customers’ expectations. As our Banquet Manager, you will lead us to continued business success and customer satisfaction.  You will take charge of our event planning, budget management, client relationships, and employee supervision. With such diverse responsibilities, you will need to be a master of many trades, comfortable talking to anyone, and passionate about producing exceptional experiences.

The Accountabilities:

• Oversees the dining requirements of guests during meetings, business and social gatherings at one or more facilities (e.g .weddings. reunions. etc.). Oversees all aspects of banquet or event functions from pre-planning to completion such as room set-up, serving, maintenance, cleanup, and breakdown of equipment. Plans, organizes and executes banquet or event functions based on client’s budget, audio-visual requirements, schedule and other specifications outlined in banquet event order. 

• Coordinates and supervises the execution of ail banquet functions to ensure clients’ specifications are adhered to and that functions run smoothly and efficiently. 

• Oversees set-up of banquet event to include proper placement of linens, cutlery. china, and glassware according to event order specifications. Conducts visual inspections of rooms and equipment prior to banquet event for cleanliness, proper inventory and set-up. Oversees dismantling, removal, and storage of equipment. Supervises clean up of room, proper cleaning and storage of linens, cutlery, china, glassware, etc. 

• Supervises at least two full-time subordinate staff or the equivalent. Recruits, screens, hires, orients, and trains staff. Evaluates employee performance, provides guidance and feedback. Counsels, disciplines and/or terminates employees as required. 

• Schedules, assigns and prioritizes workloads. Schedules staffing for wait staff. bartenders, etc. for specific events. Sets appropriate deadlines. Monitors employee performance on a day-to-day basis. Ensures timely completion of unit’s work. 

• Liaises with clients to ascertain precise event requirements. Negotiates arrangements with clients and executes banquet or event that meets or exceeds expectations. Produces detailed proposals for clients’ events (e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, staffing, etc.) Plans room layouts in collaboration with clients. Secures audio-visual equipment and staffing. 

• Creates an environment establishing highest standards of quality customer service to guests. Handles client queries on the day of the event. Troubleshoots operational problems and provides solutions. 

• Provides projections and reports for development and administration of budget Monitors expense and labor costs to meet budget guidelines. 

• Monitors and ensures compliance with health and safety standards and adherence to insurance and legal obligations. 

• Conducts post-event analysis and evaluation including entering event information into database and producing reports for event stakeholders and management, as requested. 

• Oversees maintenance of inventories on equipment, food, and beverage items. 

• Liaises with clients and designers to create a brand/theme for the event. 

• Interacts with other special events and catering areas (e.g., sales, catering, etc.) and event planners to ensure coordination of banquet or event specifications such as scheduling, assignment of responsibilities, and vendor communication for the banquet or event as a whole. 

• Develops and implements security related procedures such as office opening and closing routines, recognition of duress signals and key controls. Coordinates security activities with University Public Safety Department. Promotes and maintains standards for security conscious awareness and behavior. Maintains knowledge of university’s crime prevention and suppression programs and services. Ensures dissemination of security related information to staff. 

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. 

The Qualifiers:

• Minimum Education: Associate’s Degree. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

• Minimum Experience: 2 years

• Minimum Field of Expertise:

  • Experience managing and training a banquet team

  • Knowledge of various food service styles (i.e. French service, Russian service, Family Style service, Butler style service, etc.).

  • Through understanding of all levels of banquet service.

  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

  • Demonstrated attention to detail.

  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to prioritize work in an active work environment while providing excellent customer service.

  • Valid CA driver’s license required. Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment. For more information please visit the policy website.

• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

What We Prefer:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree

• Experience: 3 years

• Expertise: 3 years experience in restaurant or hotel industry. degree in food service or hospitality management

The Trojan Family Rewards:

We pride ourselves in creating the BEST USC EXPERIENCE, and that begins with our employees! We offer a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families including. For more information, please visit http://benefits.usc.edu.

This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being. As members of the Trojan family, employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans!

As an equal opportunity employer, USC values and promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all of its members.

USC has great minds that transform the world with their talents and research. Will you be one? Join us!

FIGHT ON!

The annual base salary range for this position is $69,948.51 -$80,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.