Event Manager Chicago, IL

Event Manager job at Carver 47. Chicago, IL.

Position Title:

Events & Catering Manager

Department:
Carver 47 Food & Wellness / Little Black Pearl

Reports to:

Executive Director / Executive Chef
Classification:
Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range: $45,000–$55,000 (commensurate with experience)

The Events & Catering Manager is a revenue-driving leadership role responsible for planning, selling and executing Carver 47’s catering services and on-site events with excellence, efficiency and care. This role sits at the intersection of hospitality, operations, and mission, ensuring that every event reflects Carver 47’s commitment to wellness, cultural storytelling and community-centered design—while meeting clear financial and operational targets.

This position is ideal for a hospitality professional who thrives in dynamic environments, understands margin discipline, and can translate vision into seamless execution.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for catering and event clients from inquiry through completion
• Prepare proposals, pricing, contracts, and invoices in coordination with leadership
• Enforce deposit and payment policies (50% deposit required; balance due prior to or shortly after event)
• Build and maintain a pipeline of nonprofit, corporate, university, and foundation clients
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on institutional and anchor partnerships

• Plan and execute on-site and off-site catering events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences (50–500+ guests)
• Coordinate menus, staffing, rentals, timelines, and logistics with culinary and operations teams
• Lead event-day execution, ensuring quality, hospitality, and problem‑solving in real time
• Conduct post‑event debriefs to assess margins, operations, and client satisfaction

• Manage event budgets to ensure profitability and alignment with pricing models
• Track event‑level labor, food costs, and margins in collaboration with finance and operations
• Maintain accurate event calendars, production schedules, and staffing plans
• Identify operational efficiencies and process improvements

• Schedule and oversee event staff, including FOH, BOH, and temporary event support
• Serve as on‑site leader for events, ensuring staff alignment and accountability
• Support training and cross‑functional coordination across café, catering, and juice operations

• Ensure all events reflect Carver 47’s brand values: dignity, wellness, creativity, and care
• Partner with marketing and leadership to document events and capture storytelling opportunities
• Uphold trauma‑informed, culturally grounded hospitality practices

• 4–6+ years of experience in catering, events, hospitality, or food service management
• Proven experience managing multiple events simultaneously
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• Comfort working with budgets, pricing, and operational targets
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required

• Experience in nonprofit, cultural, or mission‑driven organizations
• Familiarity with conference‑style events and institutional clients
• Knowledge of food costing, labor planning, and margin management
• Experience working in shared kitchen or multi‑site operations