Director of Ops, Catering & Events — Convention Center

Aramark; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits (medical, etc.)

401(k) retirement savings plans

Parental leave and disability coverage

Job summary

Aramark is seeking a Director of Operations, Catering & Events for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, a premier venue hosting citywide conventions, galas, and government events year‑round.

This is a catering‑first operation with revenue primarily from plated dinners and large scale events. The role leads both Catering and Retail operations, building a top‑level team, managing end‑to‑end events, and owning the P&L, while navigating a union workforce under a collective

Qualifications

• Prior union property experience under a collective bargaining agreement and handling grievances.
• Experience running catering, banquet, or event operations at a large scale.
• Ability to lead through other managers and manage budgets with full P&L accountability.
• Flexible availability to support an event-driven show calendar.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of catered events from BEO review through setup, service, and strike for multiple concurrent functions.
• Lead and develop the Catering Director and Retail Director, setting standards and building bench strength.
• Build event labor plans against a dynamic show calendar, deploying union staff by seniority and classification while controlling overtime.
• Partner with Culinary, Sales, and the venue's event services team to align menus, timelines, room sets, and staffing.
• Manage the operation's P&L – food cost, labor cost, and controllables – and explain variances with specifics.
• Work within the collective bargaining agreement day to day: respond to grievances and maintain professional relations with union reps.
• Manage client relationships on the operations side, serving as a senior point of contact during high-profile events.
• Ensure compliance with Aramark's standards of operation and safety policies.

Skills

Union labor management

P&L ownership

Cross-functional leadership

Event operations leadership

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Service / Hospitality / Business Management

Job description

Aramark is seeking a Director of Operations, Catering & Events for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, a premier venue hosting citywide conventions, galas, and government events year‑round.

This is a catering‑first operation with revenue primarily from plated dinners and large scale events. The role leads both Catering and Retail operations, building a top‑level team, managing end‑to‑end events, and owning the P&L, while navigating a union workforce under a collective