Banquet Captain

Come join us – become a MAVERICK! 

Role: Banquet Captain - Riverview Inn & Suites – Ascend Hotel Collection. Rockford, IL
 

Lead Memorable Events. Deliver Exceptional Hospitality.

At Riverview Inn & Suites, every wedding, meeting, and celebration is an opportunity to create lasting memories. We are seeking an experienced, energetic Banquet Captain who is passionate about hospitality, enjoys leading teams, and takes pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

If you are a hands-on hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys creating memorable events, and is ready to grow your career, we invite you to join our team.

Position Summary

The Banquet Captain is responsible for leading banquet operations during assigned events, ensuring exceptional service from setup through breakdown. This role serves as the on-site leader for events, partners closely with Sales, Culinary, and Hotel Operations, and ensures every guest experience reflects the highest standards of hospitality.

What You'll Do

• Lead banquet associates during weddings, meetings, conferences, and special events while creating a positive, team-focused environment.
• Attend weekly Banquet Event Order (BEO) meetings to review upcoming events, service expectations, staffing needs, and operational details.
• Review BEOs and conduct pre-event team meetings to ensure flawless execution and clear communication.
• Schedule banquet staff appropriately based on event requirements, business levels, and service expectations.
• Coordinate event setup, service, and breakdown while maintaining the highest standards of presentation and guest service.
• Serve as the primary on-site contact for clients, event planners, and hosts, ensuring each event exceeds expectations.
• Coach, train, and motivate banquet associates while fostering teamwork, accountability, and service excellence.
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and create memorable service recovery experiences.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, liquor service, and brand standards throughout all events.
• Conduct monthly banquet and event inventory counts, maintain accurate inventory records, and submit all required BQT/Event monthly inventory reports on time.
• Handle event cash drops at the conclusion of assigned functions while following established cash-handling procedures.
• Provide a detailed event recap following each function, communicating successes, opportunities, guest feedback, and operational improvements.
• Partner with Food & Beverage leadership to improve operations, control costs, and enhance overall event execution.

What You'll Bring

• Two or more years of banquet, restaurant, or hospitality leadership experience.
• Previous Banquet Captain or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and lead confidently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience reading and executing Banquet Event Orders (BEOs).
• Strong attention to detail with excellent follow-through.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Food Handler and BASSET Certification (or ability to obtain) preferred.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 40 pounds, and work in a fast-paced banquet environment while maintaining professionalism and exceptional service.