Associate Manager, Hospitality and Events

Perched atop the rolling hills of the Carneros AVA, where the San Francisco Bay meets the edges of Napa and Sonoma counties, Ram’s Gate Winery stands as a testament to craftsmanship rooted in respect for the land and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Founded in 2011 by Proprietor Jeff O’Neill, Ram's Gate produces fresh, expressive wines that capture the essence and diversity of Sonoma County’s most renowned vineyards. The 28-acre Ram’s Gate Estate Vineyard is Regenerative Organic Certified®, one of the highest distinctions in sustainable agriculture today, reflecting a holistic approach that nurtures soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance. This seamless harmony between land and craft extends to the winery’s tasting room, where guests are invited to experience thoughtful winemaking, genuine hospitality, and elevated culinary pairings.

The Associate Manager, Hospitality and Events leads the on-site events as polished, well-executed experiences, while also serving as a key leader within the estate's broader hospitality team. This person manages Event Captain(s) and helps lead Wine Educators alongside the Tasting Room Manager, ensuring consistent hospitality standards across both the daily tasting room experience and the estate's full events calendar.

Working closely with the Manager, Hospitality and Guest Experience and internal partners, the position coordinates operational planning for Member, Trade, Media, and company events, and owns execution from setup through closeout. For paid private client events, the role serves as the primary point of contact with the external event contractor for event planning and operational coordination. This role owns staffing plans, directs vendors and setup on the day of the event, manages the floor during service, and uses independent judgment to resolve staffing, vendor, or service issues in real time without prior approval, ensuring each event reflects Ram's Gate's hospitality and service standards. For internally produced events, this role owns the full process from planning through execution, including selecting and booking vendors based on the approved concept, building staffing plans, directing setup, and owning the event budget, including vendor negotiation and spend decisions within approved guidelines.

The ideal candidate moves seamlessly between detailed operational preparation and dynamic onsite leadership. They build authentic connections, inspire teams through thoughtful communication, and remain composed and focused on solutions as needs evolve. By placing people first, including team members, guests, members, and the community, they create distinctive experiences that deepen brand engagement and support the winery's continued growth and reputation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Event Planning, Coordination & Innovation

• Externally-Booked Events: Build staffing plans
• Internal Event Coordination and Execution: Collaborate with senior leadership and internal partners to translate approved concepts into detailed operational plans for Member, Trade, Media, and company events (fully produced events, distinct from reservation-level VIP and trade group visits coordinated by the Lead Concierge). Partner with Hospitality and Culinary leadership, select/book vendors based on event concepts, build staffing plans, direct setup, own the event budget including vendor negotiation and spend decisions within the approved guidelines.
• Private Client Event Operational Coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact with the external event contractor to confirm the operational details necessary for successful event delivery. Review event orders, timelines, floor plans, guest counts, staffing, vendor access, rentals, culinary and wine service requirements, and facility needs. Build staffing plans, direct vendors, and direct event setup on the day of the event.
• Facility and Vendor Readiness: Coordinate event-space preparation, rentals, equipment, vendor access, setup timing, and facility requirements. Conduct site visits and pre-event walkthroughs as needed to confirm operational readiness.
• Client Site Visits: Host polished and informative property walkthroughs for prospective and contracted clients in partnership with the external event contractor. Communicate venue capabilities and operational considerations and document follow-up needs.
• Event Closeout: Complete post-event documentation, communicate relevant feedback, coordinate vendor and staffing follow-up, and identify opportunities to improve future events.
• Event Innovation and Execution: Assist in the development and delivery of unique, differentiated events that enhance guest engagement. Ensure each event reflects creativity and high standards.

Staffing & On-Site Leadership

• Staffing Coordination: Develop event staffing plans in partnership with the Manager, Hospitality & Guest Experience, including coordinating internal event staff (Event Captain + additional staff) and supplemental event staff based on service requirements, guest count, event format, and facility needs. Communicate assignments, call times, service expectations, and event-specific responsibilities.
• On-Site Event Leadership: Serve as the on-site operational leader for winery-produced and private client events from setup through breakdown. Direct the Event Captain, event staff, and vendors; coordinate service timing with culinary and hospitality teams; monitor guest flow; and ensure the event reflects the winery's standards of hospitality. Exercise independent judgment to resolve staffing changes, issues, or service disruptions in real time.
• Hospitality Leadership: Serve as the Assistant Manager of the Tasting Room in daily operations, and lead Wine Educators under the Tasting Room Manager’s direction. Participate in and occasionally lead daily hospitality lineups. Provide input on hiring, performance evaluations, and disciplinary decisions. Mentor and develop Event Captains and Wine Educators in meeting monthly goals, as part of the estate’s hospitality leadership pipeline.

Communication & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Manager, Hospitality and Guest Experience, Chef, and Hospitality Leadership to communicate event details and proactively address any challenges, escalating to the Senior Director, Luxury Estates as needed for high-visibility events.
• Serve as a positive change agent with an innovation mindset, championing new initiatives and bringing forth fresh ideas to drive growth and elevation through the lens of hospitality.
• Work collaboratively, fostering solution-oriented, positive, and open communication.
• Lead with agility and forward-thinking, guided by humble leadership and the assumption of positive intent.
• Brand and Sustainability Ambassadorship: Model and reinforce Ram's Gate's hospitality, sustainability, and brand ambassador standards among staff, both during events and in daily tasting room operations.

Work Schedule

Regular availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays is required as this role’s primary schedule follows the event calendar. Start and end times may vary from week to week, and event days may include extended shifts. The employee must be available to work scheduled events on-site and adapt their schedule based on event and business needs. Schedules will be communicated in advance as business needs allow.