Director of Catering

Restaurant Associates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates in New York wants a Director of Catering to lead a premier catering and events program within a sophisticated corporate dining environment.

You will serve executive leadership, translate business needs into seamless experiences, and oversee all aspects of catering and events with a small, high-performing team. The role demands strong relationship management and a hospitality-first approach.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting or partnering with C-suite executives in hospitality or corporate dining.
• Proven track record in event planning and execution with multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication with executive stakeholders.
• Experience managing catering operations and hospitality services.
• Experience leading and developing teams.
• Degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for catering and events, building strong relationships with clients and executive stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee all internal and external catering events from concept through execution.
• Consult with clients to understand event objectives and create customized solutions that deliver exceptional experiences.
• Partner with culinary and operations teams to develop menus, event plans, and service strategies aligned with client expectations.
• Lead all event logistics, including planning, staffing, transportation, setup, service execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Manage catering budgets, contract pricing, food costs, and labor costs to support operational and financial goals.
• Develop and implement catering sales and marketing initiatives that promote program growth and client engagement.
• Hire, train, coach, and schedule catering staff while fostering a culture of hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise a team providing guidance, support, and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company operating standards.
• Continuously evaluate client feedback and event outcomes to enhance service delivery and strengthen partnerships.

Skills

C-suite hospitality

Event planning

Relationship management

Budgeting & cost control

Staff coaching

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business

Job description

Other Forms of Compensation: Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations!

This is R/A !

Job Summary

As the Director of Catering, you will lead a premier catering and events program within a sophisticated corporate dining environment. This role is highly visible and dedicated to serving executive leadership and C-suite stakeholders, requiring exceptional relationship management, attention to detail, and a hospitality-first approach. You will act as a trusted partner to clients, translating business needs into seamless event experiences that reflect the highest standards of service, professionalism, and culinary excellence. Working closely with operations, culinary, and executive teams, you will oversee all aspects of catering and events while leading a small, high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for catering and events, building strong relationships with clients and executive stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee all internal and external catering events from concept through execution.
• Consult with clients to understand event objectives and create customized solutions that deliver exceptional experiences.
• Partner with culinary and operations teams to develop menus, event plans, and service strategies aligned with client expectations.
• Lead all event logistics, including planning, staffing, transportation, setup, service execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Manage catering budgets, contract pricing, food costs, and labor costs to support operational and financial goals.
• Develop and implement catering sales and marketing initiatives that promote program growth and client engagement.
• Hire, train, coach, and schedule catering staff while fostering a culture of hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise a team providing guidance, support, and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company operating standards.
• Continuously evaluate client feedback and event outcomes to enhance service delivery and strengthen partnerships.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting or partnering with C-suite executives and senior leadership teams in a hospitality, catering, events, or corporate dining setting.
• Demonstrated success in event planning and execution, managing multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with executive stakeholders.
• Experience managing catering operations, special events, or hospitality services.
• Proven ability to build trusted client relationships and deliver high-touch service.
• Experience leading, coaching, or supervising team members.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field.
• Experience in corporate dining, conference centers, luxury hospitality, or executive catering environments.
• Knowledge of menu development, event budgeting, contract pricing, and cost management.
• Experience sourcing temporary labor, rentals, and event equipment.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Familiarity with catering management and event planning systems.

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Req ID: 1566126

Restaurant Associates

NANCY M TEIXEIRA

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