Event Operations Manager Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

General Manager & VP of Operations

Location: Northern California (On-Site)

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager & VP of Operations to lead the launch and ongoing operations of a premier new winery, hospitality, and entertainment destination opening this summer in Northern California.

This highly anticipated, multi-use venue combines a state-of-the-art production winery, rooftop event spaces, immersive lifestyle experiences, hospitality concepts, and large-scale private event capabilities into a one-of-a-kind guest destination.

The organization is entering a major growth phase with ambitious expansion plans across direct-to-consumer sales, hospitality, events, and national distribution channels. We are looking for a proven operator and business leader who can drive execution, build high-performing teams, and scale revenue across multiple business units.

About the Opportunity

• This flagship destination features:

• A modern winery production facility

• Multiple hospitality and entertainment venues

• Rooftop event and private dining spaces

• Commercial food & beverage operations

• Flexible event venues for weddings, corporate functions, and private experiences

• The business is designed around delivering elevated guest experiences in a high-energy, lifestyle-driven environment focused on hospitality, innovation, and growth.

Position Overview

As General Manager & VP of Operations, you will oversee all aspects of the business including hospitality operations, direct-to-consumer sales, event programming, distribution strategy, and overall operational performance.

You will lead the opening and stabilization of the new facility, develop scalable systems and teams, and drive aggressive growth initiatives across all revenue streams. This role reports directly to executive leadership.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in entrepreneurial, fast-paced environments and has a proven track record scaling hospitality or beverage businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day business operations across hospitality, events, sales, and customer experience

• Oversee direct-to-consumer channels including tasting room, wine club, events, and experiential hospitality

• Manage wholesale/distribution relationships and national account development

• Build, hire, train, and lead high-performing teams across multiple departments

• Execute grand opening initiatives and ongoing operational strategies

• Drive growth across lifestyle and legacy product portfolios

• Oversee event sales and execution for weddings, corporate events, and private functions

• Develop sales pipelines, account strategies, and long-term client relationships

• Maintain ownership of P&L management and operational performance metrics

• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, inventory, and marketing teams

• Provide regular business performance updates to executive leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required

• 10+ years of leadership experience within wine, beer, spirits, hospitality, or related industries

• Proven success managing both DTC and wholesale/FOB sales channels

• Strong experience leading hospitality operations, tasting rooms, event venues, or experiential businesses

• Demonstrated success building and managing teams in high-growth environments

• Strong financial acumen and P&L management experience

• Experience managing distributors and national/key accounts

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a results-driven approach

• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed for events and client engagement

• Must be based in Northern California or willing to relocate

Culture & Environment

We are a high-performance, fast-moving organization built on teamwork, accountability, innovation, and execution. We value leaders who are collaborative, adaptable, customer-focused, and motivated by growth and operational excellence.

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in launching and scaling a landmark hospitality and lifestyle destination from the ground up.