Catering - Lead

SSA Group; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Flexible scheduling

Fun and dynamic work environment

Opportunities for growth

Reduced meals during shifts

Free Aquarium passes

Job summary

The Florida Aquarium is seeking a Catering Lead to join SSA Group in Tampa, FL. This role drives guest experiences, manages event setups, and oversees service quality and staff coordination for catering events.

Ideal candidates bring strong leadership, hospitality experience, and excellent communication—ready to ensure smooth operations from setup to teardown while delivering memorable guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills as highlighted in the requirements.
• Proven leadership and team-building abilities.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced catering environment.
• Understanding of hospitality operations and guest service.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable guest experiences.
• Oversee quality, inventory, and setup for events.
• Resolve guest issues promptly and professionally.
• Supervise staff during event setup, execution, and teardown.
• Interpret and execute BEOs to high standards.
• Maintain cleanliness, safety, and organization of work areas.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Team supervision

Flexibility

Physical stamina

Education

All educational backgrounds eligible

Job description

The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, Florida, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM | Expires Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 3:59 AM

Now Hiring: Catering Lead at The Florida Aquarium!

Join our team at The Florida Aquarium as aCatering Lead! We are looking for friendly and reliable individuals to help execute for our spectacular catering events and provide great customer service to guests!

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay
• Flexible scheduling
• A fun and dynamic work environment
• Opportunities for growth
• Reduced meals during shifts
• Free Aquarium passes for family and friends

CATERING LEAD

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Reporting Relationship

The Catering Lead reports directly to the Catering Manager(s) and Catering Supervisors.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Oversee quality, product levels and inventory of product.
• Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently as well as resolve complaints effectively.
• Oversee proper setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup of the buffets, stations and any other food & beverage for each event.
• Lead communication between back-of-house and front-of-house to ensure food is correct and out at approved times.
• Supervise buffet attendants and food runners throughout the event.
• Successfully interpret and execute BEOs to the high standards of the organization.
• Possess expert-level knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques.
• Perform strenuous manual labor as required (equipment storage, event setup, tear down of tables and chairs).
• Work with the catering management team to supervise and train staff for all departments.
• Able to explain and elaborate on event successes or failures.
• Solve problems during events and implement creative solutions.
• Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude towards the client, guests, and staff.
• Communicate clearly and openly with all staff members for overall success.
• Display a sense of urgency at all times.
• Uphold a professional appearance and mannerism.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Follow health and safety practices at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

IDEA + Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager and HQ personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Operate all equipment necessary to perform job duties.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Previous Experience

• One to two years of catering experience preferred.
• BEO knowledge and execution preferred.
• All educational backgrounds are eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. The General Manager reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments.

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day .
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, Florida, United States of America