Director Of Culinary Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Join our team to help create and develop the future of live entertainment and sports in Orange County!

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Mission:To enrich the lives in our community through shared experiences, welcoming spaces, and responsible actions.

Vision: We will be the social and entertainment center of Orange County - a place where the cultural kaleidoscope of the region converges and connects. Our vibrant, rich collection of experiences will celebrate the diversity of our community.

Values: Be Safe | Do the Right Thing | Be Generous | Include Everyone | Make it Easy | Be Bold

Pay Details:

The Director of Event Management, Special Events provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning and execution of revenue-generating private events across the OCVIBE campus. This role is responsible for leading a team of full-time and part-time event professionals who deliver exceptional, hospitality-driven experiences for corporate, social, and premium clients.

This position partners closely with Sales, Culinary, Operations, and Finance to translate client vision into flawlessly executed events that maximize revenue opportunities, drive repeat business, and elevate the OCVIBE brand. Events include corporate meetings and conferences, galas, buyouts, premium activations, and social celebrations across a diverse portfolio of venues and unique spaces.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in special event operations, team leadership, and premium guest service within large-scale entertainment, hospitality, or destination event environments.

Responsibilities

Event Management & Execution Strategy

• Lead the end-to-end execution strategy for all private and special events, ensuring consistency, quality, and excellence across all venues and experiences

• Establish and manage operational frameworks, timelines, and workflows that support high-volume, high-touch event execution

• Partner with the Special Events Sales team to support client acquisition, seamless handoffs, and execution against contracted deliverables

• Ensure events are delivered in alignment with client expectations, brand standards, and revenue objectives

• Lead full lifecycle management of district-wide event equipment inventory, including tracking systems, preventative maintenance, repairs, parts procurement, and annual capital expenditure (CapEx) planning and acquisitions to ensure operational readiness and fiscal discipline

Team Leadership & Workforce Management

• Directly manage and develop a team of full-time Event Managers and a flexible part-time event execution staff

• Build staffing models and labor strategies that balance service excellence, efficiency, and profitability

• Create a culture of accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement through training, coaching, and performance management

• Serve as an on-site leader during major events, providing real-time decision-making and escalation support

• Develop and implement team operating plans, performance incentives, and accountability frameworks that elevate financial acumen across the Event Management team, driving strategic upselling behaviors and revenue optimization at the event level

Financial & Business Performance

• Apply rigorous financial analysis to event performance in collaboration with Finance and Sales, leveraging P&L insights with a focus on labor and operational expenses, to identify cost efficiencies, margin improvement opportunities, and scalable growth strategies across the event portfolio

• Support event forecasting, staffing cost controls, and post-event financial reviews

• Champion upsell opportunities and operational efficiencies that enhance revenue and client value

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for private event execution across all venues

• Ensure compliance with safety, permitting, accessibility, and regulatory standards

• Partner with Operations, Security, Facilities, and Culinary to align resources and venue readiness for each event

• Establish and enforce service and presentation standards across all events, including elevated VIP experiences, ensuring Event Managers consistently deliver best-in-class hospitality, brand alignment, and visual excellence

Client Experience & Brand Stewardship

• Serve as a steward of the OCVIBE brand, ensuring every client and guest experience reflects a premium level of hospitality and professionalism

• Address and resolve client concerns with urgency and care, turning challenges into opportunities for loyalty and advocacy

• Collaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to align private event execution with broader brand positioning and experience standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field

• Master's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in event management or hospitality operations, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role overseeing teams and complex events

• Demonstrated experience leading venue event management operations across multiple properties simultaneously, ensuring consistency in service standards, operational execution, and client experience across diverse venues

• Proven success executing revenue-generating private events, including corporate, social, or premium hospitality experiences

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate both full-time and part-time teams in fast-paced, guest-facing environments

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor budgets, forecasting, and operational efficiencies

• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Operations, Culinary, and Finance

• A passion for hospitality, client service, and delivering memorable, best-in-class event experiences aligned with company values

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Education - Bachelor's Degree

Experience Required - 8+ Year

This position is on-site.

Company:

Our Commitment:

We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and team members without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. We are firm believers that diversity and inclusion among our team members are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Thanks for your interest in becoming part of OCVIBE!