MAKE Projects Events and Catering Coordinator San Diego, CA · Full time Company website

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MAKE stands for Merging Agriculture Kitchens and Employment. Our social enterprise restaurant and urban farm located in San Diego provides an exciting learning platform for our participants to gain critical social, communication and job readiness skills. We operate an urban farm and cafe to provide a paid, real-world work experience for low-income refugee and immigrant women and youth. Our vision at MAKE Projects is to see San Diegans cross social, racial, economic, and geographic lines as we gather over a common love of food, flavors, and culture. We believe in the power of food to bring diverse populations together, unite a community, and educate each other about our history and differences, as well as our commonalities.

Events & Catering Coordinator

Location: MAKE Café, 4712 Felton Street, San Diego, CA 92116

Pay: $21 per hour (including tips working a café/events service shift)

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule: Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30am-4:00pm

 

About the Role

We're looking for an organized, personable, and detail-driven Events & Catering Coordinator (ECC) to manage private dining, group reservations, and catering sales for our restaurant. You'll also be the main point of contact and project manager for MAKE’s special events such as our monthly pop-up dinners, workshops and fab collabs with all our community partners. The ECC will be responsible for all logistics from customer inquiries through flawless execution. This role blends hospitality, coordination, and light marketing. You'll juggle client communication, event logistics, and front- and back-of-house coordination, while also helping promote our event and catering offerings to keep the calendar full.  

 

What You'll Do

 

Private Event & Catering Coordination

• Respond promptly and professionally to event and catering inquiries (phone, email, website, third-party platforms)
• Guide clients through menu selection, guest counts, room layouts, and event timelines
• Draft and manage contracts, deposits, and final invoicing
• Conduct site visits and walkthroughs with prospective clients
• Manage, coordinate and oversee with Café team to offer the Café space for after-hour private event usage
• Coordinate closely with kitchen and service staff to ensure smooth execution
• Manage vendor relationships, as needed
• Be present for events to oversee setup, troubleshoot issues, and ensure guest satisfaction
• Maintain an organized events calendar and prevent scheduling conflicts

 

MAKE Community Event Coordination and Generation

• Work with the team and partners to design, develop, promote and successfully execute MAKE special events such as:
• Monthly, collaborative, ticketed “themed” dinners at MAKE Café
• Quarterly special events including Holiday Bazaar, Seedling Sale, workshops
• Fundraising and community events at the café, farm and out in the community
• Responsible for all MAKE special event logistics, planning and day-of execution success

 

Marketing & Business Development

• Represent MAKE Projects at community outreach and promotional events
• Promote MAKE events and catering on social media and the restaurant's website
• Create and update marketing materials (menus, proposals, event packages, seasonal offers)
• Build relationships with local businesses, wedding planners, and corporate contacts to generate leads
• Photograph events for use in future promotional content
• Send follow-up communications and seasonal offers to past clients to encourage repeat bookings
• Track inquiry sources and conversion rates to identify what's working

 

Other Duties

• The ECC will backfill for the Café FOH trainer and oversee Café front of house (FOH) operation as a back-up supervisor
• The ECC will train, coach and mentor program assistants and trainees in special event operations
• MAKE is a small, inter-connected team. All MAKE roles are highly integrated, flexible and accountable to each other within the organization. Other duties, such as supporting farm or employment program activities, may arise as needed.

 

What We're Looking For

• 1–2+ years of experience in events, catering, hospitality, or restaurant management (preferred)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple events at once
• Excellent photographic skills and strong visual eye, a plus
• Ability to stay calm and solve problems under pressure, especially during live events
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays
• A positive, guest-first attitude and a growth mindset are both essential

 

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time, hourly position at $21 per hour plus tips (when working a restaurant/event service shift). This position is eligible for health benefits, paid time off, and paid sick leave. MAKE Projects also offers a matching 401k retirement plan after six months of employment. 

 

How to Apply: Visit www.sdmake.org/joinus to submit your cover letter, resume and responses to our questions. 

  

MAKE Projects is an equal opportunity employer. MAKE Projects does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of reference and background checks.