Catering Events Manager

Tufts University; Medford Hillside (MA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University’s Tufts Dining division is seeking an experienced Catering Event Manager to oversee all campus catering operations, including on-site events, off-site university functions, and high-end VIP experiences. You will train staff, schedule crews, and ensure exceptional service that strengthens Tufts as the premier catering partner on campus.

The role requires knowledge of large-scale event planning, strong customer service, and experience with alcohol service.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and executing events for high-volume catering
• Scheduling and supervising full-service catering staff
• Knowledge of VIP events, interactive food stations, and modern catering concepts
• Experience with alcohol service and bar/cocktail service
• Ability to manage multiple events simultaneously
• Culinary experience in high-end catering or restaurants

Responsibilities

• Execute all catering services performed by Tufts Catering
• Manage catered events in person and lead staff
• Train staff to industry standards
• Post weekly catering staff schedules
• Plan and organize assigned staff with clear directions
• Ensure adherence to Collective Bargaining Contract
• Deliver exceptional customer catering service
• Pursue Tufts Dining Department goals
• Increase revenue-minded planning and scheduling
• Guarantee stellar customer service to drive repeat business

Skills

Catering management

Staff supervision

Event planning

Customer service

Budget awareness

Education

High School/equivalent

Associate's degree or higher (Hospitality/Management/Business)

Job description

Overview

Tufts Dining is a self-operated food service provider managing a comprehensive collegiate food service program on the Tufts University Medford/Somerville and Boston/Fenway (SMFA) campuses, delivering high quality, contemporary, and innovative food, and hospitality services to meet the various needs of students, faculty, staff, administrators and visitors in a fiscally responsible manner. Our team operates a progressive resident dining program as well as innovative retail services, and a distinctive university catering program serving a campus community comprised of 6500 undergraduates, 2100 graduate students, and 2300 staff, faculty and administrators.

What You'll Do

The Tufts Catering Event Manager position exists to execute all catering services performed by Tufts Catering. Duties include but are not limited to managing catered events in person, staff management and delivering exceptional customer catering service. This integral management for Tufts Catering will train staff to industry standards, fully understand the hospitality industry at the highest level and will strive to make our unit the preferred Catering Partner to the University Community.

• Foodservice management and catering skills to include knowledge of all standard and VIP catering services and techniques


• Continue to solidify Tufts Catering goal to be the preferred catering partner on campus.


• Support and pursue all of Tufts Dining Department wide goals


• Ability to plan and organize assigned staff both verbally and in writing with clear directions


• Manage Staff in adherence of Collective Bargaining Contract


• Train staff to achieve exceptional Catering service techniques


• Preparing and posting weekly Catering Staff schedules as business dictates


• Execute Units plan to be more revenue minded by thorough planning and scheduling


• Guarantee stellar customer service to ensure repeat business

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Knowledge and experience typically acquired through the completion of a High School/equivalent.


• Experience in planning and executing events for a high-volume off-site caterer for a university, hotel, or banquet facility with multiple venues


• 2+ years of scheduling and supervising full-service catering staff


• Valid Massachusetts Driver's License in good standing with no restrictions


• Fine dining and modern catering concept experience such as interactive food stations, themed receptions, and VIP events


• Experience with responsible alcohol service and knowledge of bar, wine, and cocktail service


• Has experience managing multiple events at one time


• Culinary experience in high-end catering service or restaurants

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree or above, preferably in Hospitality, Management, or Business

Pay Range

Minimum $55,600.00, Midpoint $69,500.00, Maximum $83,400.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.