Banquet Manager

Job Title: Banquet Manager 

Department: Special Events  

Reports To: Senior Banquet Manager   

FLSA Status: Exempt (full-time)

Pay Rate: $48,000 - $52,000 

Work schedule: Variable including weekends and evenings. 

Prepared/Revised Date: 11/2025 

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Job Summary: The Columbus Museum of Art is seeking a professional, dynamic, and highly skilled Banquet Manager of Special Events to oversee the successful execution of all special events. The Banquet Manager is responsible for being onsite from event setup through teardown, ensuring exceptional customer service and adherence to museum policies and procedures.

This key role acts as the secondary liaison between clients and the museum's internal departments during events, facilitating seamless communication among service staff, kitchen teams, Event Managers, and vendors. The Banquet Manager upholds CMA's high standards of service excellence, ensuring every event reflects the museum's commitment to quality and guest satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Event Execution & Management

• Oversee all aspects of special events, including setup, teardown, food and beverage service, vendor and staff management.
• Serve as on-site manager, working closely with the event team to ensure smooth operations, seamless execution, and client satisfaction.
• Maintain CMA service standards and ensure compliance with all liquor, food service, and safety regulations.
• Review Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) at the start of each shift with the Event Manager to confirm equipment needs, setup requirements, and service timelines.
• Assist with event setup and strike as needed.
• Perform bartending or serving duties when required to support event operations. 
• Other duties as assigned

Staff Supervision & Scheduling

• Supervise and manage event service staff, including servers, bartenders, and utility personnel at each event.
• Ensure all staff maintain a professional appearance, demeanor, and performance standard.
• Maintain accurate staff schedules; manage real-time staffing adjustments during events.
• Mentor contingent Event Captains and support their professional development.
• Provide clear verbal and written directions to all staff throughout each event.

Coordination & Communication

• Collaborate with Event Managers to prepare and execute all event details, including linen orders, floor plans, BEOs, pull sheets, task sheets, rosters, and signage.
• Serve as a liaison between service teams and kitchen teams to ensure timely and accurate food service.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, vendors, and clients to address and resolve issues as they arise during an event.

Inventory & Equipment Oversight

• Manage all event rental items, verifying deliveries and returns, and documenting any damage or breakage before and after each event.
• Maintain organized event equipment and product storage.
• Oversee beverage inventory and communication supply needs promptly following each event.
• Ensure all bar products are accurately pulled, returned, and counted at the conclusion of each event.
• Complete end-of-shift responsibilities, including cleaning event spaces, organizing work areas, returning inventory, checking out external caterers and vendors, and releasing staff.

Administrative Duties

• Upload post-event debrief documents for internal review and follow-up. 
• Reconcile post-event closeouts at the end of each event.
• Assist in developing protocols, training materials, and onboarding support for service staff, bartenders, captains, and utility associates in collaboration with the Senior Banquet Manager.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in catering, banquet, food & beverage, or conference services.
• ServSafe Certification preferred; certification will be required upon hire if not already obtained.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and customer service skills, with the ability to guide and support event staff. 
• Ability to multitask in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with minimal supervision.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and irregular hours based on event schedules.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Teams; Canva experience preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work effectively as part of a team.
• This is an in-person position; remote work is not available.

Uniform Requirements:

This position requires adherence to a dress code and the maintenance of a clean, professional personal appearance always.

Physical Demands: 

Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, taste, and smell. Must be able to use hands to handle, feel, reach, and carry heavy food-laden trays. Must be able to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. 

Work Environment:
 This position requires working in a fast-paced, high-traffic kitchen and banquet setting. Noise levels range from moderate to loud. This role involves consistent collaboration in a cooperative, team-oriented environment, with frequent interaction with visitors of all ages and diverse backgrounds.