Catering Planning Associate

The Walt Disney Company; Lake Buena Vista (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL is seeking an On-site Catering Event Operations Planner to support Front of House and Heart of House logistics. You will analyze Banquet Event Orders, ensuring all components are correct to set the executing team up for success.

This 365-day operation is administrative within an office setting, backstage and non-guest facing. You will report to the Planning Manager and must be available for weekends, holidays, and variable shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating, planning, or executing events.
• Knowledge of Convention, Group, and Wedding business.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing demands.

Responsibilities

• Work independently with minimal supervision on cast schedules and event execution.
• Collaborate with Partners across lines of business to review event needs.
• Make decisions with labor, space approvals, and priorities in mind.
• Create reports for hourly cast scheduling related to events.
• Proofread Banquet Event Orders and update daily for missing information.
• Facilitate daily virtual touch base meetings with impacted partners.
• Monitor FOH and HOH equipment needs on Banquet Event Orders.
• Navigate ambiguous situations while maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Event Management, Hospitality, Communications or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

Flex Type:

On-Site -This role is considered on-site based in Orlando, which means the employee will work from a Company designated location on an ongoing basis.

Job Summary:

We help create magical experiences by supporting Front of House & Heart of House logistical planning for Catering Event Operations. In this role, you will serve as a self-starter who analyzes event details from Banquet Event Orders to ensure that all components are listed correctly to set the executing team up for success. You will evaluate components regarding logistics, details of floral proposals, diagrams, and staffing necessary for each event.

This role is administrative within an office setting, fully backstage and non-guest facing. Full scheduling availability is required as Catering is a 365-day operation. This includes weekends, variable shifts, and holidays. If selected for this role, you will report to the Planning Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Work independently with minimal leader supervision and make decisions that impact Cast Schedules and event execution.
• Communicate and collaborate with Partners across multiple lines of business to wholistically review the needs of the events.
• Make decisions with business & financial implications in mind regarding labor, space approvals, and competing priorities.
• Create reports to be utilized for Hourly Cast Scheduling related to events, both internal to Catering FOH/HOH as well as partnering areas.
• Ability to problem solve for challenges that arise during the planning phase of events.
• Proofread Banquet Event Orders and updates daily to review for missing information or conflicting details between all support documentation.
• Facilitate daily virtual touch base meetings with impacted partners to review event details.
• Attention to details relating to FOH and HOH equipment needs on Banquet Event Orders.
• Work in a fast paced, independent work environment.
• Proven ability to quickly foster genuine and strong working relationships across different departments.
• Ability to navigate through ambiguous situations.

Basic Qualifications:

• Understanding of the Convention, Group, and Wedding business.
• Knowledge of Walt Disney World Offerings in Parks and Resorts in addition to policies and procedures.
• Experience coordinating, planning, or executing events.
• Creatively "solve for yes" to enhance Cast and Guest experiences.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Demonstrate strong time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with competing demands.
• Everyday implementation of The 5 Keys.
• Demonstrate professional excellence and integrity, and able to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• High level of positivity and flexibility with changes in responsibilities daily based on operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Event planning or event services experience.
• DSCS, Lightyear, and My Time experience.
• Understanding of Scheduling and/or Culinary Operations.

Required Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Event Management, Hospitality, Communications or other related fields or relative work experiences.

The hiring range for this position in Orlando, FL is $22.10 to $27.65 per hour. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.