Assistant Manager, Catering Operations

Columbia University Facilities & Operations; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University Facilities & Operations is seeking an Assistant Manager, Catering Operations to oversee day‑to‑day event functions and guest experiences on campus. You will ensure quality service, supervise staff, and coordinate with culinary teams to deliver successful catered events.

The role emphasizes event logistics, client interaction, and adherence to sanitation standards, with opportunities to influence catering policies and improvements across campus facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proficient in Word and Excel.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the actual set‑up of assigned functions by reviewing menu information with servers and coordinating timing with culinary staff.
• Arranges temporary staff, room assignments, décor, and enhancements as they relate to room setups; communicates changes as needed.
• Monitors temporary staff appearance, attitude, and professionalism to meet UEM service standards.
• Ensures adherence to Federal, State, Local and Columbia University sanitation and OSHA rules when the Assistant GM is unavailable.
• Supports catering event logistics: coordination, transportation, personnel, equipment and related tasks.
• Serves as primary liaison during catered events to handle problem resolution, service and closeout.
• Recommends changes in catering operations policies and procedures as appropriate.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Word

Excel

Microsoft Office

Kronos Payroll System

EMS

Delphi

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant General Manager the Assistant Manager is responsible for managing the day to day operations of assigned functions within UEM, ensuring event quality and consistency. The Assistant Manager, Catering Operations is expected to help create a pleasant environment and experience for guests.

Responsibilities

Event Support

• Under the direction of the Assistant General Manager, oversees the actual set-up of assigned functions by reviewing specific menu information to servers, and coordinating the timing of the events with the culinary staff to ensure success of the function.
• Assists in arranging temporary staff for events, room assignments, event décor, and enhancements as they relate to room set ups. In the absence of the Assistant General Manager, communicates all changes with the catering team, culinary team and other supportive departments and makes adjustments according to the above items.
• During assigned events, constantly monitors the temporary staff’s appearance, attitude, and degree of professionalism to ensure their adherence to UEM’s standards of quality service.
• In the absence of the Assistant General Manager, ensures adherence to Federal, State, Local and Columbia University sanitation and OSHA rules, regulations, standards and codes.
• Supports the Assistant General Manager with the logistics of assigned catered events including coordination, transportation, personnel, equipment, and other related tasks.
• In the absence of the Assistant General Manager, serves as primary liaison during catered events to facilitate all elements, including problem resolution, servicing and closing of the event.
• Recommends changes in catering operations policies and procedures as appropriate.

Sales & Marketing Support

• Provides assistance to the sales team with solicitations of University’s in house event, social and all other markets. Supports the sales team to ensure they achieve appropriate sales goals. Together with a Sales Manager, meets with potential clients, when appropriate, and supports the Sales Manager’s with up selling menu, beverage and sundry items.
• In the absence of a Sales Manager, greets potential clients visiting the various facilities. During peak times, provides support to the sales team by responding to telephone inquiries regarding booking events and/or directing the call to the appropriate staff member
• Coordinates and prepares invoices, deposits slips, pre-payments slips.
• Contacts sales team when the supply of various menus and floor plans is below standard level.
• Assists with putting together banquet sales kits.
• Assists with the collection of competitive product and pricing information.

Customer Service

• Diplomatically handles complaints and problems with internal clients, communicating issues with the Assistant General Manager.
• Utilizes a variety of tools to assess client’s opinions. Recommends products and services to meet the needs of UEM clients.
• Collaborates with the Assistant General Manager to develop, recommend, and when appropriate implement UEM policies and procedures as it applies to UEM managed space including outdoors, food and beverage service, audio visual service, and UEM sponsored events throughout campus.
• Interacts effectively and diplomatically with staff, management, and diverse clientele, including campus departments, student organizations, and the general public by verbal and written communications.
• Develops relationships with people from public areas of the University to maintain a customer friendly environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned and assists in special projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekends to cover various catering functions throughout the year.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Proficient in Word and Excel.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Food Service Management or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of Kronos Payroll System and any catering system such as EMS, or Delphi.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.