Event Captain

Dennis Dean Catering and Events, one of Atlanta’s fastest growing event companies, is seeking experienced, professional Event Captains to join its dynamic team.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of this important position include, but are not limited to:

• Delegating tasks clearly and efficiently to the event team to ensure seamless execution.
• Arriving ahead of the event staff to meet with the Sales Manager to review event details, the BEO, and the pull sheet, while also inspecting the equipment to become familiarized with all event specifications and ensure proper preparation.
• Maintaining effective communication with clients, venues, and vendors to facilitate smooth event operations.
• Setting tables, linens, and table settings according to the Banquet Event Order (BEO) and floor plan.
• Managing time efficiently to ensure the event setup is complete and the team is prepared before the scheduled start time.
• Conducting pre-event meetings with servers, bartenders, and culinary staff to review all details and address any questions prior to service.
• Overseeing the inventory of rental items and catering equipment before and after each event, promptly reporting any discrepancies.
• Arranging stations and buffets in a logical and visually appealing manner, adhering to DDC standards.
• Organizing setup and breakdown areas in a tidy, efficient, and logical manner to ensure smooth service and a streamlined breakdown process.
• Supervising the team to ensure food and beverage service is conducted professionally and promptly, offering guidance on techniques as needed.
• Maintaining awareness of dish ingredients and accurately addressing any client inquiries related to allergies or dietary restrictions.
• Ensuring that all team members maintain a neat and presentable appearance from setup through event breakdown.
• Confirming with the client or venue before departure that cleaning and tidying have been completed to their satisfaction.
• Operating mini-vans, 15-passenger vans, cargo vans, or box trucks when required.

Qualifications:

To be successful, the candidate must have all the following qualifications to be considered for the position:

• Proven off-site catering experience, with a preference for high-volume event settings.
• At least one year of experience in an event manager, banquet manager, or front-of-house leadership position.
• Neatly groomed and professional appearance, in line with DDC standards.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to make calm and informed decisions under pressure.
• A proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges, swiftly resolves issues, and offers constructive solutions to improve operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership capabilities, demonstrating a commitment to both leading initiatives and collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Comfortable operating cargo vans and passenger vans; experience driving box trucks is highly desirable.
• Trustworthy, dependable, and honest, consistently demonstrating integrity and professionalism.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to going above and beyond to ensure events meet DDC’s highest standards.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact clearly, respectfully, and effectively with colleagues, vendors, supervisors, and guests.
• Able to work flexible hours, as events may necessitate early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, and occasional travel.
• Spanish-English bilingual not required, but is a major plus.

Work Environment:

This is a fully off-site position, with the majority of events taking place at event venues, office and retail spaces, and occasionally in private homes or event tents. All staff members report to the Dennis Dean headquarters before being assigned DDC-provided vehicles to transport them to event locations.

Uniform Requirements

Dennis Dean provides freshly dry-cleaned shirts for each event, along with dry-cleaned ties, aprons, or jackets, as required by the event. Staff are expected to wear pressed black slacks, tall black socks, and black non-slip shoes. Sneakers and athleisure attire are not permitted.

Physical Demands:

• Able to perform physical tasks such as, but not limited to; loading and unloading trucks and vans, carrying trays, plates and warm food items, bending, lifting, and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Able to walk or stand for extended periods.
• Able to drive vehicles, or ride in vehicles for extended periods.

Position Salary & Benefits:

• This is a part-time position, offering compensation per shift that far exceeds industry standards.
• Shifts often include gratuities and meals.
• Captains are eligible to receive an end-of-year performance-based bonus.