Special Events & Wedding Manager

Special Events & Wedding Manager

Rustique Wines | Salinas, CA$26 / hour depending on experience + Event Commission Part time position 20-30 hours/week with opportunity to grow into a full time position. Additional hours based on event needs.

Rustique Wines is looking for an organized, personable, and hands-on Private & Public Events Manager to take the lead on our growing calendar of private and public events.

This position will be the primary person responsible for building, coordinating, and completing all Rustique events, from the initial planning stages through event-day execution and final breakdown.

For private events, this includes managing the client relationship from initial inquiry through completion, coordinating vendors and staff, building event timelines, preparing the venue, and overseeing the full event experience.

For public events, this position will take full responsibility for event planning and execution, including developing event logistics, booking entertainment, coordinating vendors and performers, organizing staffing, preparing the property, acquiring necessary permits, managing event flow, and overseeing breakdown and cleanup.

The ideal candidate is someone who can confidently take an event from an idea or initial inquiry and turn it into a fully executed event with minimal oversight. This is a hands-on position that requires strong organization, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces at once.

Private Event Management

Serve as the primary point of contact for private-event clients from initial inquiry through event completion
Respond to inquiries, follow up with prospective clients, conduct venue tours, and coordinate planning meetings
Guide clients through Rustique's venue policies, offerings, and planning process
Build and maintain detailed event plans, timelines, guest counts, vendor information, floor plans, and special requests
Coordinate all event logistics and ensure important details are confirmed prior to the event
Communicate directly with caterers, bartenders, rental companies, planners, photographers, florists, DJs, entertainment, and other vendors
Coordinate vendor arrival times, setup requirements, parking, access, and onsite logistics
Determine staffing needs and coordinate, train, and delegate event staff
Build event-day timelines and ensure staff and vendors understand their responsibilities
Serve as the primary Rustique representative on event days
Oversee event setup, guest arrival, wine service, event flow, vendor coordination, and breakdown
Assist with wine service when needed or oversee staff assigned to wine service
Troubleshoot issues and make practical decisions throughout the event
Ensure Rustique policies, venue standards, and client expectations are met
Participate in hands-on setup, furniture moving, cleaning, and event breakdown as needed
Complete post-event cleanup and ensure the property is returned to standard
Follow up on any outstanding event details or vendor needs after the event
Be available for events outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends

Public Event Management

Public events include markets, live music, comedy nights, mixers, seasonal events, wine dinners, and other Rustique-hosted events.

The Private & Public Events Manager will be responsible for building and executing public events from start to finish, including:

Build event concepts into fully developed events, overseeing planning, logistics, marketing, promotion, execution, and post-event follow-up from start to finish.
Create event posters, flyers, digital graphics, promotional materials, Ticket builds and other marketing collateral for each event, ensuring all materials align with Rustique Wines' brand identity.
Create event timelines, staffing plans, vendor schedules, and onsite plans
Coordinate with food vendors, performers, DJs, security, rental companies, and other event partners
Acquire necessary permits
Manage vendor communication and confirm event-day requirements
Determine staffing needs and assign responsibilities to event staff
Coordinate setup and ensure the property is event-ready before guests arrive
Oversee guest arrival, check-in, ticket scanning, and general guest experience as needed
Manage event flow and keep events running according to schedule
Serve as the primary onsite contact for vendors, staff, performers, and guests
Monitor staffing, guest needs, venue operations, and event logistics throughout the event
Troubleshoot issues and make decisions independently when unexpected situations arise
Communicate with ownership when significant issues, changes, or decisions require owner involvement
Oversee wine service and ensure Rustique's alcohol and venue policies are followed
Coordinate and oversee event breakdown, cleanup, trash removal, furniture reset, and property restoration
Complete post-event follow-up and ensure all event-related responsibilities have been completed

Event Planning & Operations

Because this position is responsible for the full scope of Rustique events, the Events Manager will also:

Maintain the master event calendar and ensure all event details are current
Create and maintain event checklists and planning documents
Track deadlines, vendor confirmations, staffing needs, rentals, entertainment, and other event requirements
Develop standardized procedures to make events more efficient and consistent
Maintain clear communication between clients, vendors, staff, and Rustique ownership
Identify potential issues before events and develop practical solutions
Help improve Rustique's event systems, processes, and guest experience
Maintain organized records of event details and vendor contacts
Ensure events are properly prepared for handoff to onsite staff
Take ownership of assigned events and follow them through to completion

What We're Looking For

Experience in event coordination, hospitality, weddings, venue management, or a related field
Strong organizational and project-management skills
Excellent communication and customer-service skills
Comfortable managing multiple events and priorities at the same time
Able to independently take an event from planning through completion
Confident leading a team and delegating responsibilities
Comfortable communicating directly with clients and professional vendors
Able to make decisions and troubleshoot problems independently
Professional, personable, and comfortable interacting with guests
Detail-oriented and proactive
Willing to be hands-on with setup, breakdown, cleaning, furniture moving, and general event work
Able to lift and move 60+ pounds
Must be flexible and available to work a varying schedule to include weekdays, weekends, mornings, evenings, holidays, split shifts, and extended hours as business needs dictate
Reliable transportation
Must possess and maintain a current ABC-approved California Responsible Beverage Serving Certification
Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather
Familiarity with event-planning software, spreadsheets, shared calendars, poster / marketing builds and online ticketing platforms is a plus.
Winery or wine-service experience is beneficial.
21+ due to the nature of the winery and alcohol service

Schedule

This is a part-time position averaging approximately 20–30 hours per week, with additional hours required based on the event calendar.

The schedule will vary seasonally and will primarily include evenings and weekends, with occasional weekday hours for venue tours, client meetings, vendor coordination, administrative work, and event preparation. Some holidays and extended shifts will be required.

The role is hands-on and involves working both indoors and outdoors, often during active event setup and breakdown.

There is potential for the position to grow into a full-time role as Rustique's event calendar and business needs expand.

Compensation

$26/ hour + Event commission

In addition to hourly pay, the Private & Public Events Manager will receive an Event Commission for private events they independently manage through completion. The bonus will be calculated as a percentage of the event’s gross profit.

2% of the Event Gross Profit for evening private events
4% of the Event Gross Profit for full-day private event buyouts

The commission is paid biweekly through payroll after the event has taken place and has been successfully completed.

Day of wedding coordinator: opportunity to be the day of wedding coordinator for all Rustique Weddings. You would be paid independently by the client.

About Rustique Wines

Rustique Wines is a family-owned winery and event venue in the Salinas Valley. We host weddings, private celebrations, corporate gatherings, markets, live entertainment, wine dinners, and other events throughout the year.

As a small family-owned business, we value personal relationships, attention to detail, flexibility, and creating a welcoming experience for our clients and guests.

We are looking for someone who wants to fully run the event side of our business and become a trusted part of the Rustique team. This person will play an important role in shaping how our events are planned, organized, and executed as we continue to grow.

Pay: From $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person