Department Summary

The Manager, Front of House Operations position operates within the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver. This role works within the business units, Knoebel Events and Beans, which are parts of the hospitality school. More information about Knoebel Events can be found at https://knoebelevents.com/ and more information about the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management can be found at https://daniels.du.edu/hospitality-management/

Position Summary

The Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver is looking to hire an industry professional for the Manager, Front of House Operations at Knoebel Events at the Fritz School of Hospitality Management. This role reports to the Associate Director of FOH Operations and provides secondary oversight of all front-of-house event operations and works directly with the full-time events team at the hospitality school, with internal and external event clients hosting events within the school and the Fritz Knoebel faculty and staff. This team member will also have a direct working relationship with student staff and student managers who are part of the events team.

Essential Functions

• Manage all day of event execution and set up details; ensure that setup of chairs, tables, stages, decorations or other equipment is in accordance with contract requirements and with safety, fire, and health codes. 
• Directly work with, supervise, and train student assistant managers (SAMs) and FOH line staff.
• Make or arrange for last-minute adjustments in room or equipment setup at the request of a guest.  
• Oversee the details concerning the opening and security of the facilities before and after events; write event reports noting attendance, times, and significant problems. 
• Resolve problems or complaints from guests during events in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Participate in the interviewing and hiring process for all student staff for Knoebel Events.
• Guide/mentor/develop/coach/evaluate student workers for Knoebel Events.
• Manage and order linen inventory.
• Assist Associate Director of FOH Operations with any back-end tasks as needed such as payroll, scheduling, and beverage ordering.
• Participate in the interviewing and hiring process - initial screening, panel interviews, and collective decision-making.
• Act as department head of FOH ops when Associate Director is not present.
• Manage and document the performance of all direct reports - counsel and discipline per DU HR guidelines.
• Attend all required Knoebel Events meetings.
• Participate in school / college management meetings, planning, and activities.
• Beverage Management
  • Assist Associate Director of FOH Operations in conducting monthly inventory of wine, spirits and beer.
  • When overseeing events, ensure client beverage requests adhere to Colorado liquor laws pertaining to the school’s hotel and restaurant license.
  • Assist in training student bartenders.
• Academic Support / Curriculum Integration: Assist the Fritz Knoebel faculty with incorporating various aspects of the curriculum into the facility.
• Quality Management
  • Ensure adherence to FOH quality management practices with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Monitor client satisfaction with Fritz Knoebel Events. 
  • Seek feedback and work to proactively improve.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret complex documents.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Strong communication skills required, including communication with customers using the written and spoken word.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as profit and loss statements, contracts and budgets.
• Ability to address and solve problems involving several variables and/or locations.
• Employee often plans own work and oversees the work of others and is expected to deal with specialized situations and make independent decisions.
• Ability to effectively work with hospitality technology.
• Ability to effectively mentor/guide the work of student managers and student employees.
• Knowledge of event planning and execution.
• High level of organizational skills including the ability to coordinate numerous tasks simultaneously with high level of attention to detail.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms.
• Ability to work well with various constituencies including donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff, clients and parents.
• Knowledge of state and local health code guidelines and safe alcohol service.
• Familiar with POS systems operations.
• Knowledge of event, banquet and/or catering operations.

Required Qualifications

• Four-year degree
• One year of experience in a supervisory catering/events role.
• Ability to obtain and retain ServSafe Food and Alcohol certifications.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in business or a related field.
• Three years of experience in a supervisory sales, marketing or catering role.
• Active ServSafe Food and Alcohol certifications.
• Level II certification in wines and spirits from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust or equivalent.

Work Schedule

To be determined by the supervisor.  Must have the ability to work some nights, weekends and holidays.

Working Environment

• Normal work environment and office equipment including computer, printer, telephone, copier and other standard office equipment.
• Noise level is low to moderate during regular office hours when working in the office.
• When executing events, the environment requires a sense of urgency and is moderately stressful.
• Unexpected interruptions often occur and stress level is moderate to high.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
• Ability to assist in banquets when needed and be active for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move tables or chairs or other objects up to 30 lbs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 20, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 8.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $46,000-$56,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.