Events Operations Specialist

The Events Operations Specialist is responsible for the successful execution of all events, including events-related deliveries, coordinates purchasing, organizing, and stocking of inventory, setting, serving, and breaking down events in function rooms in accordance with verbal and written instructions, such as Banquet Event Orders (BEO), providing direction to on-call contract catering/vendor staff as needed, and acting as liaison to event representatives as assigned, while providing exceptional customer service.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Reviews Banquet Events Orders (BEO) to ensure understanding of logistics, floorplan, usage of linens, glassware and utensils, menu items, service order, and related elements to execute a successful event.
• Provides outstanding customer service to internal and external event organizers, ensures service delivery meets or exceeds expectations.
• Executes all aspects of meeting room set-up and breakdown, including preparation of room/service area(s) prior to event, setting up tables, chairs, linens, drapes, and other items as needed for meetings, events, and banquet-style or seated food service.
• Delivers, arranges, and serves food and beverages to guests, and dishwashing in accordance with general Institute standards of professionalism and event requirements.
• Clears tables and breaks down function rooms after conclusion of event, cleans, dismantles, and properly stores all furniture and equipment used for meetings, events, and food service.
• Resolves any issues that may arise related to kitchen appliances, communicating guest concerns (heating, cooling, questions related to menu items, etc.), safety hazards, rectifying quality or quantity concerns, and directing on-call contract catering/vendor staff as needed.
• Ensures compliance with all required standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and workplace safety in accordance with food service industry and Institute guidelines.
• Maintains stocked inventory and equipment, coordinates purchase of perishable and non-perishable consumable items, coordinates deliveries from contract event vendors, orders refreshments for meetings and events (such as juices, sodas, coffee, tea), single service food items such as snacks (chips, popcorn, nuts, granola bars), basic cleaning and preventative maintenance on kitchen appliances and equipment (coffee machine, ice machine, etc.).
• Provides general administrative support as needed, such as filing, preparing collateral materials, producing and deploying signage, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Minimum 1 year of catering, banquet server, food and beverage industry, hospitality experience, related operations experience, or strong background in fast-paced customer service environment required.
• Prior work experience in a non-profit organization of approximately 500 interfacing with internal and external clients preferred.
• Prior lead/supervisory experience in a fast-paced customer-focused environment preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations preferred: California Food Handler's Certificate; California Responsible Beverage Service Certificate; CPR/FA/AED Certificate.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed based on workload and deadlines.
• Must be willing to wear Salk-logoed uniform/apparel; must wear non-slip safety shoes.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $18.03-$23.50 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.