Director of Catering

Anonymous; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Anonymous is seeking a Director of Catering to provide strategic leadership for planning, coordination, and execution of catered events, delivering exceptional experiences for members, clients, guests, and partners.

The role leads the Catering team, collaborates with departments, and maintains high standards of service, client relations, and operational excellence, serving as senior point of contact for brides, clients, vendors, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Proven leadership in catering or luxury hospitality environments.
• Experience managing high-volume or luxury events with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen: budgets, revenue, expenses, profitability.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Catering Department.
• Develop goals, standards, budgets, forecasts, and business strategies.
• Oversee planning and execution of catered events from coordination to completion.
• Ensure events meet client expectations within timelines and budgets.
• Maintain client relations and build long-term relationships with members and partners.
• Coordinate with departments to ensure seamless event execution.
• Review contracts, BEOs, and billing information for accuracy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client relations

Budgeting

Operations excellence

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or related field

Job description

The Director of Catering provides strategic leadership and oversight, ensuring the successful planning, coordination, and execution of catered events while delivering an exceptional experience for members, clients, guests, and event partners. This position oversees the Catering team and is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of service, event execution, client relations, and operational excellence. The Director of Catering serves as a senior point of contact for brides, clients, vendors, and internal leadership, while working closely with Catering, Banquets, Food & Beverage, Culinary, and other departments to ensure seamless communication and execution of all events.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership and Strategy

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for the Catering Department
• Establish departmental goals, standards, procedures, and best practices
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize catering revenue, profitability, client satisfaction, and event opportunities.
• Monitor department performance, identify trends and opportunities, and make recommendations to senior leadership.
• Oversee workload distribution, staffing needs, and departmental priorities to ensure the team is appropriately positioned to support the event calendar.
• Partner with leadership to develop annual goals, budgets, forecasts, and business strategies for the Catering Department.
• Continuously evaluate and improve catering processes, systems, and service standards to increase efficiency and enhance the client experience.

Event Planning & Execution

• Provide oversight of the planning and execution of catered events from initial coordination through completion, ensuring all events meet or exceed client expectations.
• Oversee complex, high-profile, and large-scale events and provide leadership and support for events requiring additional coordination or operational planning.
• Review event details, timelines, menus, floor plans, setup requirements, vendor needs, contracts, and other specifications to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Attend and oversee assigned events to ensure flawless execution and address client or operational needs.
• Proactively identify potential challenges and develop effective solutions before and during events.
• Ensure events are executed within established timelines, budgets, contractual requirements, and client expectations.
• Ensure contracts, billing information, event charges, and other financial documentation are accurate and properly communicated.
• Oversee weekly BEO meetings to review upcoming events and ensure all departments have accurate, complete, and timely information.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between all departments involved in event execution.
• Review and approve BEOs and event documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Ensure changes to event details, timelines, menus, guest counts, setups, and other requirements are communicated promptly to all affected departments.
• Serve as a senior resource for resolving operational challenges and conflicts between departments related to event execution.
• Establish clear communication standards and accountability throughout the event planning and execution process.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with members, brides, clients, vendors, event partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for significant clients, high-profile events, and escalated client concerns.
• Ensure clients receive timely, professional, and personalized communication throughout the planning and execution process.
• Handle escalated client concerns with professionalism, discretion, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the client experience, strengthen relationships, and generate repeat business and referrals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Previous leadership experience in catering, event management, hospitality, private clubs, luxury resorts, hotels, or a similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team, preferably within a high-volume or luxury hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, event planning, banquet execution, BEOs, and food and beverage operations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to understand budgets, revenue, expenses, and profitability.
• Exceptional communication, organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on the event calendar.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and represent The Company in a professional manner.