Event Operations & Impact Lead

Responsibilities

Event Leadership (70%)

Lead catering and pop-up events from setup through breakdown, ensuring every event reflects Chi Fan Le's hospitality standards.
Run pre-event team huddles to communicate timelines, roles, expectations, and guest experience priorities.
Lead the event team onsite by assigning responsibilities, answering questions, and adapting quickly to changing circumstances.
Coordinate event logistics, including loading vehicles, packing equipment, transporting supplies, setup, service, breakdown, and inventory return.
Step into any role needed—from greeting guests to serving food to washing dishes—to ensure a successful event.
Build positive relationships with clients, venue partners, vendors, and guests.
Ensure equipment is cleaned, organized, and returned to storage after every event.

Event Planning & Operations (20%)

Coordinate event timelines, staffing, equipment, rentals, and logistics.
Maintain organized inventory, storage spaces, and event supplies.
Develop and improve checklists, packing systems, and standard operating procedures.
Continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency and guest experience.

Building the Future (10%)

Lead post-event debriefs with the team, celebrating successes while identifying opportunities for improvement.
Document lessons learned and implement process improvements.
Support new projects and initiatives as Chi Fan Le continues to grow

We're Looking For Someone Who Is...

An Owner

You naturally take ownership. When you notice something that needs to be done, you do it without waiting to be asked.

Organized

You enjoy creating systems, managing timelines, juggling multiple priorities, and keeping details from slipping through the cracks.

Calm Under Pressure

Events rarely go exactly as planned. You're able to think clearly, solve problems, and keep the team focused when unexpected situations arise.

A Strong Communicator

You communicate clearly with guests, teammates, vendors, and clients. You know when to ask questions, provide direction, and keep everyone informed.

A Team Leader

You enjoy helping others succeed. You can confidently lead a team, delegate responsibilities, provide feedback, and create a positive work environment.

Hospitality Driven

You genuinely enjoy making people feel welcome and creating memorable experiences.

Always Learning

Perfection is never the goal. You value feedback, reflect on what could have gone better, and are driven to improve a little every day. You're excited to help build a growing company, improve systems, and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Bonus Points ✨

Tech Savvy and can navigate project management and organizational tools like Notion, Google Suite, etc.
Familiarity with Square (or similar POS systems), taking orders, and food service workflows
Experience in creative design, event displays, social media content capture, or community organizing
ServSafe Food Manager Certified
A passion for Chinese culinary culture and community building in Michigan!

Logistical Requirements

Physical Capability: Able to stand for long period of time; lift, carry, and load heavy equipment, food containers, and event displays safely
Transportation: Must have a valid driver’s license and a reliable personal car for transporting event equipment and food (until we get our own company cargo van!)
Location & Availability: Based in the Detroit / Greater Michigan area with weekend and evening availability for scheduled pop-ups and catering events

Success in this role looks like:

Events consistently run on time.
Team members know exactly what they're responsible for before every event.
Guests leave feeling genuinely cared for.
Equipment is efficiently and safely packed.
Storage remains organized.
Every event becomes a little better than the last because you're constantly improving our systems.

Why Chi Fan Le

Chi Fan Le (吃饭了) means "time to eat” in mandarin, a phrase that the founder’s mom would shout out when it was dinner time. At Chi Fan Le, we believe food is one of the most impactful ways to care for people. Every meal tells a story, creates connection, and has the ability to make someone feel welcomed, seen, and at home.

Our mission goes beyond serving delicious homestyle Chinese food. We're working to help make Detroit and Michigan a destination for exceptional Asian cuisine and meaningful cultural experiences. Through catering, pop-ups, classes, tea experiences, and our future restaurant, we're creating spaces where people gather, celebrate, learn, and connect.

Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe excellence comes from genuine care: for our guests, our community, and for one another. We also believe that great hospitality begins behind the scenes. We strive to build a team culture where people are supported, trusted, challenged, and given the opportunity to grow.

We're still a small team, which means every person has an outsized impact. As one of our first key hires, you won't simply execute events; you'll help shape how Chi Fan Le operates, how our team grows, and how guests experience our brand for years to come.

We Value Non-Traditional Experience! You don't need a traditional resume with years of formal catering or corporate event planning experience. Whether you’ve worked in food service, organized campus club events, run neighborhood pop-ups, or are simply the go-to host for dinner parties and family gatherings who loves bringing people together: if you're excited by executing impeccable events, continuous improvement and building something meaningful alongside a passionate team, we'd love to meet you.

Our Values

Lead With Compassion

We care deeply about our guests and one another.

Leave It Better Than We Found It

Every shift is an opportunity to improve our food, our systems, and our relationships.

Lead Without Ego

No task is beneath anyone. We jump in wherever we're needed.

Own the Outcome

We solve problems instead of waiting for someone else to fix them.

Never Stop Learning

Curiosity, feedback, and continuous improvement are part of how we work.

What We Offer

Pathway to Shared Success: We don't believe in just trading time for money. We’re actively exploring creative ways to reward leadership. As you step up and help take Chi Fan Le to the next level, we’ll sit down together to map out a reward structure that grows with you. Whether that looks like event performance bonuses, revenue-sharing, or deeper leadership opportunities, we are committed to sharing our success as we scale.
Personalized Mentorship & Networking: Direct access to the founder and our network to help you develop skills, build connections, and pursue your professional goals.
Community & Culture: A supportive, kind, and nourishing work environment—plus plenty of incredible homestyle Chinese food, tea, and chili oil!

Compensation

$22–28/hour + tips, based on experience, leadership ability, and relevant certifications. As Chi Fan Le grows, we are committed to creating opportunities for increased responsibility and compensation.

$22–24: Strong technical skills, growing leadership potential.
$25–26: Can independently lead production or events and train others.
$27–28: Proven leader who improves systems, mentors teammates, and can operate with minimal oversight.

Interested? Email us [email protected]

Resume
Tell us about a time an event/shift didn't go according to plan. What happened, what decisions did you make in the moment, and what did you learn from the experience?
Why Chi Fan Le’s mission resonates with you, and what kind of growth or skills you are looking to develop in your next role!
1–2 professional references (including name, relationship, and phone number)

Pay: $22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Application Question(s):

Tell us about a time an event didn't go according to plan. What happened, what decisions did you make in the moment, and what did you learn from the experience?
Why Chi Fan Le’s mission resonates with you, and what kind of growth or skills you are looking to develop in your next role!

Experience:

Events management: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

ServSafe Manager Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person