Assistant Director Catering

UWMIL University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) invites an experienced Assistant Director of Catering to lead the 20/20 Catering program, drive service excellence, and partner with campus units to deliver customized events.

This role oversees two Catering Coordinators, manages budgets, menus, and vendor relations, and shapes strategic growth while ensuring nutrition standards and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead catering program leadership and growth, elevating the campus offering.
• Build relationships with academic units, admin, and external clients.
• Oversee budgets, menu development, and vendor contracts to ensure profitability.
• Direct supervision of two Catering Coordinators and staff development.
• Ensure high-quality events from booking to execution and post-event review.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Menu development

Vendor relations

Staff supervision

Customer service

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Catering/event software

ServSafe certification

Job description

Position Title

Assistant Director Catering

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Food Service Assistant Director

Job Duties

• 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

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 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 be determined based 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

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.

Success in this position requires a balance of firsthand operational management and forward-looking program leadership.

The role directly supervises two professional Catering Coordinators and provides leadership to full-time staff and student employees.

Contact Information: Please contact Amy Rehfeldt at [e-mail].

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 UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will 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. CBC and Reference Check Policy Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes 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 the UWM Annual 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.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 187 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. At UWM, we are committed to creating positive employee experiences, so our team members are able to thrive and excel in their work. UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays. Please visit this link to view summary benefits information (Compensation figures are for example purposes only).