Assistant Director Catering

Universities of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Universities of Wisconsin—Milwaukee is seeking an Assistant Director of Catering to lead the 20/20 Catering program, manage a campus-wide catering portfolio, and oversee two Catering Coordinators. The role emphasizes revenue growth, client relations, and high standards for quality and safety.

You will collaborate with Dining & Retail Services leadership, culinary teams, and academic units to deliver exceptional events, manage budgets, and mentor staff in a large university setting.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Three years leadership experience in campus catering or a similar hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage operations, menu development, and service standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, forecast sales, and drive revenue growth.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to qualify to drive state vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership to elevate the 20/20 Catering program and position it as the preferred catering provider for UWM events.
• Direct supervision of two professional Catering Coordinators and oversight of staff and student employees.
• Maintain catering budgets, billing accuracy, cost controls, inventory, and labor optimization.
• Lead continuous improvement of operating procedures, safety practices, and quality control measures.
• Serve as campus liaison for catering services, building strong relationships with departments and external clients.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Menu development

Communication

Food service management

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Catering software

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Assistant Director Catering

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Food Service Assistant Director

Job Duties:

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development of unit focused operating policies and procedures to ensure adherence to production, safe food quality, handling, and sanitation processes and procedures

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Directs the development of food menus, inventory purchases, and forecasting

• Monitors and maintains technology systems to support the needs of various working units

• Assists in the development and implementation of unit focused strategic planning initiatives and programs to ensure appropriate use of resources and exceptional customer satisfaction

• Monitors contracts and liaises with vendors regarding product purchases and contract compliance

Department:

Dining and Retail Services (DRS)

Dining and Retail Services is a self-operated dining venture on the UWM campus with an $18 million operating budget. The department has three facilities that provide food services across campus; comprised of two residential dining units, two convenient stores, retail offerings in the Student Union including the catering unit, multiple coffee locations, convenience stores, and concessions operations. The department includes a dynamic management team and approximately fifty resolute permanent staff. Our department includes over three hundred student employees in all areas of our operations.

Under the general direction of the Director, Dining and Retail Services (DRS), UW-Milwaukee’s Dining and Retail Services Department is hiring a dynamic and team-focused Assistant Director of Catering. The position combines strategic oversight, operational management, and team leadership to ensure high-quality catering services and strong revenue performance.

As a member of the DRS leadership team, this position will function as the primary campus liaison for catering services partnering with academic units, administrative departments, student organizations, and external clients to deliver high-quality, customized event experiences through 20/20 catering.

The Assistant Director of Catering is a key figure in elevating the campus catering program through driving catering excellence, balancing operational efficiency with customer satisfaction, and supporting the organization’s growth through strategic catering initiatives.

This role directly supervises two professional Catering Coordinators and provides leadership to full-time staff and student employees. Success in this position requires a balance of firsthand operational management and forward-looking program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Catering Program Leadership & Growth – 25%

• Provide vision and leadership to continuously elevate the 20/20 Catering program , positioning it as the preferred and trusted catering provider for UWM events.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase catering engagement, revenue, and client retention through service innovation, menu development, and relationship management.
• Analyze historical data, trends, and client feedback to identify opportunities for program enhancement and operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with Dining & Retail leadership, culinary teams, and campus partners to ensure offerings reflect current industry trends, campus needs, and nutritional standards.

Campus & Client Relationship Management – 25%

• Serve as the lead campus ambassador for 20/20 Catering , building strong, collaborative relationships with academic departments, administrative units, student organizations, and external partners.
• Function as the primary escalation point for complex or high-profile events, ensuring expectations are exceeded from booking through execution.
• Promote transparent communication regarding pricing, policies, service standards, timelines, and coordination.
• Conduct post-event evaluations with clients using feedback to refine services and strengthen long-term partnerships.

Financial Management & Operational Oversight – 20%

• Maintain full responsibility for catering budgets, billing accuracy, cost controls, inventory management, and labor optimization.
• Monitor and analyze food, labor, and supply expenses to ensure financial sustainability and alignment with departmental goals.
• Assist in financial forecasting, reporting, and budget preparation; identify cost-saving and revenue-enhancing opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to standardized recipes, portion controls, and product sourcing strategies.

Supervision & Staff Development – 15%

• Directly supervise two professional Catering Coordinators , providing coaching, goal setting, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, and evaluation of full-time staff and student employees.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture focused on service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff compliance with required certifications and training, including ServSafe, AllerTrain, alcohol service, safety protocols, and university systems.

Event Execution & Quality Assurance – 15%

• Provide visible leadership and operational support for catered events as needed, ensuring seamless execution and service consistency.
• Ensure all food and beverage services meet established standards for quality, safety, presentation, temperature control, and sanitation.
• Oversee equipment readiness, preventive maintenance, and coordination with facilities and maintenance partners.
• Lead continuous improvement of operating procedures, safety practices, and quality control measures.

Scope of Leadership

• Direct supervision of two full-time professional Catering Coordinators.
• Leadership oversight of catering supervisors, support staff, and student employees.
• Significant autonomy in decision‑making related to operations, staffing, client relations, and program development.
• Key contributor to Dining & Retail Services strategic initiatives and campus-wide events.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to provide an active presence in operating unit and to build strong relationships with frontline staff and customers in a diverse environment.
• Knowledge of food service management in a college/university or large volume environment as exhibited by experience.
• Knowledge of profit analysis.
• Knowledge of marketing and merchandising skills.
• Knowledge of catering services from booking to execution.
• Knowledge and use of client and event booking systems.
• Knowledge of food sanitation and safety practices.
• Ability to supervise, coach, train, and develop staff.
• Knowledge of inventory and record keeping skills exhibited by experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use computers in a work-based environment.
• Experience in word processing, electronic mail, and food management computer programs.
• Excellent decision making and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work as a team with other members of the Dining & Retail Services staff.

Compensation: $75,000-$86,000

(Final salary offer will bedeterminedbased on qualifications and experience)

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree and/or comparable work experience.
• Three (3) years proven leadership experience in campus catering, event operations, or a similar hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage operations, menu development, and service standards.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, forecast sales, and drive revenue growth.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to qualify to drive state vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with food sourcing, inventory control, and purchasing.
• Experience managing food, labor, and supply budgets.
• Experience with standardized recipe and menu development.
• ServSafe certification or equivalent state certification.
• Experience with catering or event planning software.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a culinary related field

Education: Associate’s degree and/or comparable work experience is required, bachelor’s degree is preferred

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [e-mail] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWMis a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law.UWMwill not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBCand Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check.UWMtakes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For theUWMAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at [phone] for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.