Job Overview
Mountain Brook Club is a private member country club located in the heart of Mountain Brook , Alabama. We are seeking a dynamic and energetic Banquet Captain to lead our banquet service team and ensure exceptional event experiences. As a key player in our hospitality team, you will oversee the coordination and execution of banquet functions, supervise staff, and maintain high standards of quality, and customer service. Your leadership will drive smooth operations during events, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that delights guests and supports the success of each occasion. This role offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your management skills in a fast-paced, hospitality-focused environment dedicated to excellence.
The Banquet Captain is a hands-on working supervisor responsible for leading banquet staff while personally participating in every phase of event service. This position reads and executes Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), follows room diagrams, directs setup and service, works the floor, and ensures each function is completed to the Club’s standards. The Banquet Captain must be able to work independently, make sound decisions, communicate clearly, and step into any assignment—including setup, clearing, food running, bartending, and breakdown—to help the team succeed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Event planning and execution. Review BEOs, event diagrams, timelines, menus, beverage requirements, guest counts, special requests, and service notes before each function. Confirm that the room and service plan match the approved instructions.
- Room setup and breakdown. Set up, move, arrange, and break down tables, chairs, bars, stages, buffets, highboys, and other event furniture and equipment. Reset rooms promptly and return all items to their designated storage locations.
- Tabletop standards. Set tables accurately with linens, napkins, silverware, glassware, china, centerpieces, and other event items. Inspect linen and service ware for cleanliness, condition, consistency, and proper placement.
- Hands-on leadership. Lead and direct banquet staff through a visible, hands-on approach. Assign stations and side work, conduct pre-shift lineups, explain the BEO and service plan, monitor timing, coach staff in the moment, and adjust assignments as needs change.
- Active event service. Work alongside the team by clearing tables, carrying trays, running food, serving guests, bartending when assigned and qualified, refreshing beverages, maintaining buffets, and completing any other task needed for smooth service.
- Host and guest contact. Greet the host at the beginning of the function, confirm key details, remain available throughout the event, work the floor, respond promptly to requests, and communicate changes to the Banquet Manager, kitchen, bar, and service staff.
- Service coordination. Coordinate communication and timing between the kitchen, bar, banquet team, event staff, and management. Help ensure courses, buffets, beverage service, and special moments occur according to the event timeline.
- Quality and detail. Inspect front-of-house spaces before guests arrive and throughout the function. Maintain precise room appearance, straight table and chair lines, clean service areas, proper lighting, stocked stations, and polished presentation.
- Organization and stewardship. Keep banquet storage, service corridors, beverage areas, banquet kitchens, and other back-of-house spaces clean, safe, neat, and organized. Protect Club property and report damaged, missing, or low-stock items.
- Closing responsibilities. Direct and participate in breakdown, cleanup, equipment return, linen handling, trash removal, room reset, and final inspection. Confirm that all assigned areas are secure and ready for the next function.
Supervisory and Leadership Expectations
- Set the pace through personal effort, professionalism, urgency, and a willingness to perform every banquet duty.
- Give clear, respectful direction; hold staff accountable for assignments, appearance, safety, and service standards.
- Identify problems early, take ownership of solutions, and request manager support when an issue exceeds the position’s authority.
- Promote teamwork and a calm, member-focused environment during high-volume or rapidly changing events.
- Ensure staff are properly groomed, in the correct uniform, and prepared for service.
Qualifications and Competencies
- Prior banquet, catering, restaurant, club, hotel, or event-service experience required; prior lead or supervisory experience preferred.
- Ability to read, understand, and independently execute BEOs, floor plans, diagrams, timelines, menus, and written setup instructions.
- Strong leadership, communication, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
- Working knowledge of banquet service, table settings, buffet setup, food running, clearing, and beverage service; bartending experience preferred.
- Ability to maintain attention to detail in guest-facing areas while keeping back-of-house work areas orderly and efficient.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team with limited supervision.
- Ability to follow Club policies and all applicable laws and procedures governing responsible alcoholic beverage service.
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
- Frequently lift, carry, push, pull, and safely move items weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or equipment when appropriate.
- Regularly move and set up tables, chairs, furniture, bars, banquet equipment, trays, linens, and service supplies.
- Stand and walk for extended periods; bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be available to work evenings and weekends, along with early mornings and holidays as required by the event schedule.
Additional Responsibilities
Attend department meetings and training as assigned; assist with inventories of banquet equipment, service ware, and supplies; enforce Club rules, policies, safety practices, sanitation standards, and responsible beverage-service procedures; and complete other duties assigned by the Banquet Manager or Club leadership.
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
