Divisional Director of Catering

AVI Foodsystems; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle and gas card

Job summary

AVI Foodsystems is seeking a Divisional Director of Catering for the AVI Fresh higher education division to shape strategy across nearly 50 university campuses. You will lead with vision, grow revenue, and elevate catering standards while building a community of campus professionals.

This leadership role requires 7–10 years in catering/hospitality, strong financial acumen, and the ability to drive complex events.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in catering, hospitality, conference services, events, or large-scale food service.
• Experience leading complex, high-volume or multi-unit catering operations and high-profile events.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and operational analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define divisional catering strategy, growth, and profitability across nearly 50 campuses.
• Establish consistent service standards, best practices, and operating systems.
• Identify new business opportunities and innovative ways to expand catering services.
• Coach, mentor, and develop campus catering directors and teams.
• Build a connected collaborative catering community across AVI Fresh division.
• Develop training tools, resources, and career pathways for catering leadership.
• Provide strategic support for high-profile and complex events.
• Partner with culinary leaders to develop creative menus and standards for quality and service.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

People development

Financial acumen

Communication & presentation

Organizational skills

Hospitality industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Experience the Family Difference in Hospitality About AVI Foodsystems Founded in 1960 AVI Foodsystems has grown into one of the nations most respected and trusted food and hospitality companies Today AVI serves thousands of clients and millions of guests through our contemporary cafes restaurant concepts premier catering concessions retail fresh market and specialty beverage programs From modest means AVI has grown into the largest independently owned and operated food service company in the United States by exceeding the expectations of our customers Today AVI is still a family company dedicated to serving our guests with the same personal relationships and integrity as we did 60 years ago Our unprecedented growth and account retention reflect our devotion to excellence and relationships two of the ten core values we live by every day About AVI Fresh AVI Fresh the higher education division of AVI Foodsystems serves nearly 50 colleges and universities with a fresh culinary and family approach Our teams deliver exceptional resident dining innovative retail and sophisticated catering programs designed around the unique culture of each campus The Opportunity AVI Fresh is looking for an accomplished Divisional Director of Catering to help shape the future of catering across our higher education division This is an opportunity to provide vision strategy and leadership to nearly 50 university catering programs while developing a strong community of catering professionals who share ideas best practices resources and a passion for hospitality You will elevate standards grow revenue develop leaders present culinary innovation strengthen financial performance and help our campuses deliver exceptional experiencesfrom everyday campus events to presidential receptions donor events alumni celebrations conferences and large scale university functions This is a builders role for a hospitality leader who sees the bigger picture and is excited by the opportunity to make an impact across an entire organization

What Youll Lead

Strategy & Growth Communicate the divisional vision and strategy for catering excellence revenue growth and profitability

Establish consistent service standards best practices and operating systems across nearly 50 campuses

Identify new business opportunities and innovative ways to expand catering services

People & Leadership Coach mentor and develop campus catering directors and their teams

Build a connected collaborative catering community across the AVI Fresh division

Develop training tools resources and career pathways that strengthen catering leadership

Hospitality & Client Experience Define what exceptional higher education catering looks and feels like

Build strong relationships with university leaders development teams alumni organizations conference services and campus partners

Provide strategic support for high profile and complex events

Culinary Innovation Partner with culinary leaders to develop creative contemporary seasonal catering menus

Establish standards for food quality presentation service and event execution

Bring new ideas trends and experiences to the AVI Fresh catering program

Financial & Operational Performance Develop divisional pricing strategies financial benchmarks and performance expectations

Drive revenue growth while maintaining disciplined food labor and operating costs

Use data and KPIs to identify opportunities and hold programs accountable for results

Divisional Collaboration Develop a divisional catering calendar and resource network to support major events across the portfolio

Connect campuses with the people expertise and resources needed to execute exceptional events

Champion a culture of sharing collaboration accountability and continuous improvement

How Youll Make an Impact

Success in this role will be measured through Client satisfaction and retentionEvent quality and consistencyAdoption of divisional standards and best practicesLeadership development and team retentionFood and labor cost managementCatering revenue growthCatering profitability

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a strategic hospitality leader relationship builder and developer of people who understands that great catering is about creating experiencesnot simply serving food The ideal candidate will bring 710 years of progressive leadership experience in catering hospitality conference services events or large scale food serviceExperience leading complex high volume or multi unit catering operations and high profile eventsStrong financial acumen including budgeting forecasting pricing and operational analysisA proven ability to develop leaders and build high performing teamsExceptional communication presentation relationship building and organizational skillsA passion for culinary creativity hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiencesThe ability to lead through influence collaborate across functions and inspire teams across multiple locationsPreferred Bachelors degree and experience in higher education cultural institutions luxury hospitality conventionevent venues or other complex hospitality environments

Location & Compensation

Location Central or Northeast Ohio preferred; location is open for discussion and may be negotiable for the right candidate salary Targeted base salary of 80000 90000Travel This is a divisional leadership role supporting nearly 50 college and university campuses and will require regular travel throughout the AVI Fresh portfolioCompany Vehicle and gas card will be provided for business travel