Catering Sales Coordinator - Part Time - San Diego Zoo

Longwood University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free admission to San Diego Zoo and SD

Family Passes

Complimentary Tickets

Free Parking at Zoo & Safari Park

Local and In-House Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Job summary

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance seeks a Catering Sales Coordinator to organize private catered events at the Zoo, Safari Park, and offsite venues. You will coordinate logistics, vendors, and budgets while delivering outstanding customer service.

You will build partnerships with local vendors and health authorities, ensuring seamless event execution. Onsite support for day-of events, May 1, 2027, with potential additional nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in event planning and coordination.
• Experience with weddings, corporate, and social events.
• Experience with food, beverage, sales or marketing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate private catered events including site inspections and staffing plans.
• Develop and coordinate logistics with vendors and authorities; track expenses and revenue.
• Cultivate client relationships to drive event revenue and ensure satisfaction with partnerships.
• Create event orders and planner for internal/external communications to ensure successful execution.
• Track deposits, guarantees, and tickets; manage vendor contracts and pricing.
• Direct staff and volunteers at events; ensure top-level customer service.

Skills

Event planning

Vendor coordination

Customer service

Communication

Budgeting

Health department liaison

Education

High school diploma

Tools

ReServe Cloud

Microsoft Office

Job description

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The Catering Sales Coordinator organizes group events and meal functions as assigned; coordinates event logistics with other departments and outside parties; assures preparation of related communication documents; organizes events and activities for SDZWA both at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and at offsite and regional locations. This position reports to the Catering Sales Supervisor.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Coordinate a variety of private catered events, including weddings, corporate and social markets to include site inspections, overseeing of event, responding to last minute requests, resolving operational issues and ensuring high levels of customer service.
• Develops experience and plans and coordinates logistics with outside vendors, and authorities/departments as needed e.g. health department, ABC, SDPD etc. Determines event sites and creates event staffing plans, and all related logistics. Develops cost analysis for budgeting purposes including tracking expenses and revenue and reporting.
• Cultivates and steward’s clients (up to $500,000 events) through highly customized experiences and tour activities, resulting in elevated revenue impact to SDZWA. Collaborates with internal departments and manages the direction of projects and events.
• Create Event Orders and Planner for internal and external communications to ensure events are executed successfully with a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Track deposits, guarantees, and tickets.
• Contracts outside vendors for event services, negotiating best prices
• Directs staff and volunteers at events

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Preferred candidate with outreach strategy to identify potential food and beverage vendors within the local community and effectively communicate with potential vendors to highlight the benefits of partnering with San Diego Zoo for Food, Wine & Brew. Research and connect with all viable event vendors via email, phone, and in-person meetings to present partnership opportunities and negotiate terms of engagement with outside vendors and authorities/departments as needed. Assist in coordinating logistics and requirements with selected vendors to ensure seamless execution of food and beverage services during event. Maintain ongoing communication and relationships with vendors to foster long-term partnerships and ensure satisfaction with the partnership experience. Onsite support the day/night of the event, May 1, 2027 - additional nights and weekends may be required.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• At least 4 years’ experience in event planning and coordination in markets including; wedding, corporate, social. Experience with food, beverage, sales, and marketing or related professional area required.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma Required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of food and beverage and banquet style services.
• Working knowledge of catering menu planning and development.
• Strong working knowledge of food & beverage safety standards.
• Familiar with trends in catering, food & beverage and hospitality industry.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a diverse environment.
• Able to operate word processing, spreadsheet, and database systems (ReServe Cloud knowledge preferred).
• Able to communicate effectively (verbal and written).
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks with competing deadlines with a high level of accuracy.
• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Position Type:Hourly Part-Time Non-Exempt Position