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Event Coordinator Wally's Desert Turtle | Rancho Mirage, CA Full-Time | Primarily Daytime Hours with Select Evenings & Events Hourly Pay

+ Tips

+ Commission Opportunities | Compensation Based on Experience About Wally's Desert Turtle Wally's Desert Turtle is a third-generation, family-owned and operated fine dining restaurant in Rancho Mirage. Since 1978, we have built our reputation on exceptional hospitality, attention to detail, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. Events are an important and growing part of our business. We work with everything from intimate birthday dinners and corporate gatherings to weddings, large celebrations, restaurant buyouts, and off-site events throughout the Coachella Valley. No two events are exactly alike, and we take pride in making each one feel personal and thoughtfully executed. We are looking for an Event Coordinator who shares that passion for hospitality and wants to play an important role in growing our events business. The Role The Event Coordinator will work closely with the Owner, Executive Chef, service team, and our clients to take events from the initial planning stages through successful execution. This is a hands-on role for someone who is extremely organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and genuinely cares about the guest experience. You will be responsible for keeping all aspects of our events organized and ensuring that the client's vision is clearly communicated to every department involved. Because we are family-owned and operated, every event and every client relationship matters to us. We are looking for someone who understands that the small details make a difference and takes personal pride in creating an experience guests will remember. Key Responsibilities Client Communication & Event Planning Serve as a primary point of contact for event clients throughout the planning process. Build relationships with clients and understand their vision, priorities, budget, and expectations. Assist clients with menu selections, room layouts, timelines, beverage selections, rentals, and other event details. Coordinate weddings, corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, restaurant buyouts, and off-site events. Maintain consistent and professional communication with clients from inquiry through final follow-up. Anticipate client needs and identify details that need to be addressed before they become issues. Event Organization & Administration Work directly with the Owner to keep all upcoming events organized and on schedule. Maintain accurate event files, contracts, proposals, guest counts, menus, timelines, deposits, and client notes. Prepare and manage event invoices, deposits, billing, and final payments. Track deadlines and follow up with clients for outstanding information and decisions. Keep the event calendar organized and ensure information is accurate and up to date. Assist with ordering and coordinating rentals, outside vendors, entertainment, florals, and other event needs when applicable. Help coordinate logistics for off-site events, including staffing, equipment, transportation, rentals, food, beverage, and setup requirements. Internal Communication & Execution Act as the communication link between the client, Owner, Chef, management, kitchen, and service teams. Prepare clear and detailed event information so the service and culinary teams have everything they need to execute each event properly. Communicate menus, allergies, dietary restrictions, timelines, room setups, beverage selections, special requests, billing instructions, and other important details. Work with the Chef and Owner to confirm menus, pricing, staffing, and operational requirements. Conduct pre-event communication with the service team and management as needed. Be present for select events when necessary to ensure proper execution and serve as a point of contact for the client. Assist with post-event follow-up and review final billing. Sales, Networking & Business Development We want this position to grow alongside our events business. The Event Coordinator will have the opportunity to earn commission on new event business they personally generate and will be encouraged to actively build relationships throughout the Coachella Valley.

This may include:

Attending networking events and community functions. Developing relationships with hotels, concierges, wedding planners, event planners, businesses, nonprofits, country clubs, and other potential referral partners. Following up on prospective event leads. Identifying new opportunities for private dining, catering, off-site events, weddings, and corporate business. Representing Wally's Desert Turtle professionally within the community. Helping develop ideas to continue growing the private events and catering side of the business. Who We Are Looking For The right person for this role is someone who: Is passionate about hospitality and the restaurant and events industry. Genuinely enjoys creating memorable experiences for people. Is exceptionally organized and comfortable managing many moving pieces at once. Pays close attention to details and follows through. Is proactive rather than waiting to be told what needs to happen next. Communicates professionally and warmly with clients. Is comfortable working directly with an owner, chef, management team, service staff, vendors, and clients. Can remain calm and solutions-oriented when plans change. Understands the importance of discretion and professionalism when working with high-profile or private clients. Is comfortable discussing budgets, pricing, invoices, and payments. Is confident using email, spreadsheets, calendars, event documents, and basic office technology. Is willing to occasionally work evenings or weekends when an important event requires their presence. Wants to learn, grow, and take on additional responsibility over time. Previous restaurant, hotel, catering, wedding, event planning, or hospitality experience is strongly preferred. Schedule & Compensation This is a full-time position with primarily daytime hours. Some evenings and weekends will be required depending on the event calendar, but this is not intended to be a traditional nightly restaurant management position.

Compensation will include:

Competitive hourly pay based on experience. Tips when applicable. Commission opportunities for qualifying new event business personally generated by the Event Coordinator. Specific compensation and commission structure will be discussed during the interview process. Opportunity for Growth This position is being created with growth in mind. We are looking for someone who wants more than simply coordinating individual events. As the right person develops a strong understanding of Wally's, our clients, and our operations, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and grow into a larger leadership role within the company. For someone who is passionate about hospitality, takes ownership of their work, and wants to grow with a family-owned business, this position offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the future of Wally's events and catering business.

Pay:

From $20.00 per hour Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) matching Employee discount Flexible schedule

Work Location:

In person