Manager, Private Events

Job Details

Job Location:

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274 Position Type:
Full Time Salary Range: $25.00 - $28.00 Hourly

South Coast Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of curated gardens and natural landscapes built atop a reclaimed landfill, serving as a powerful example of environmental renewal.

From the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden to the Dorothy and Allen Lay Staghorn Fern Collection and immersive seasonal exhibits, the Garden offers guests unique opportunities to engage with nature. With continued growth and exciting new developments ahead, this is an exciting time to join a dynamic and evolving organization.

South Coast Botanic Garden fosters a workplace culture where strategic focus and cultural health go hand in hand. Team members are collaborative, adaptable and committed to supporting the Garden’s mission and guest experience.

Reports to:

Chief Impact Officer and Deputy Director

The Manager, Private Events is responsible for leading the planning and execution of private event rentals hosted at South Coast Botanic Garden. This position owns the client relationship following contract execution and serves as the primary point of contact for clients, event planners, and key vendors throughout the planning process.

The Manager leads the overall planning process from booking through event completion, establishing planning milestones, approving final event plans, managing client expectations, and ensuring alignment with Garden policies, venue requirements, and operational standards. The Manager makes significant planning and operational decisions and is accountable for resolving complex issues and ensuring successful event outcomes.

This position directly supervises and develops the Coordinator, Private Events and provides functional leadership during private event planning and execution in collaboration with cross-departmental teams. The Manager serves as the primary MOD for major, complex, or otherwise designated events and ensures appropriate MOD coverage for other private events.

The Manager partners closely with Event Operations, Visitor Services, Horticulture, Food & Beverage, Facilities, Rangers, and other departments to ensure events are planned and executed successfully while protecting the Garden's operations, property, landscapes, and guest experience.

• Own the client relationship for assigned private events following contract execution with the Sales team.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and event planners and establish clear communication expectations throughout the planning process.
• Lead the overall planning process from booking through event completion, establishing planning milestones, priorities, and operational requirements.
• Lead planning meetings, venue walkthroughs, site visits, rehearsals, and technical walkthroughs, delegating appropriate coordination and follow-up responsibilities to the Coordinator.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive event timelines, event orders, and planning requirements.
• Ensure client requests, changes, expectations, and requirements are evaluated, documented, and communicated appropriately.
• Provide exceptional customer service while managing client expectations and balancing client needs with Garden policies, operational requirements, and venue standards.
• Make significant planning and operational decisions affecting assigned events and resolve issues that require judgment beyond established guidelines.
• Review and approve final event plans, event orders, timelines, site plans, vendor arrangements, and operational requirements before distribution to internal stakeholders.
• Ensure the Coordinator has clear direction, priorities, deadlines, and information necessary to support event planning and execution.

• Own vendor relationships and serve as the primary liaison with event planners and key vendors regarding event logistics, venue access, operational requirements, and compliance.
• Establish…