Event Coordinator, Cornell Catering

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell Catering is seeking an Event Coordinator to oversee the operational details of a variety of events on campus, including university events and alumni weddings. You will coordinate with clients, staff, and multiple Cornell Dining teams to ensure flawless execution.

The role requires strong customer service, teamwork, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment, with an onsite schedule including nights and weekends. You will work on campus in Ithaca, NY with hourly pay.

Qualifications

• Two years of catering/food service experience or equivalent education.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Suite and calendar management.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally and stand for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Oversee event logistics for university events and weddings.
• Develop and maintain client relationships onsite and offsite.
• Coordinate with sales, culinary and operations teams to ensure successful events.

Skills

Customer service

Calendar management

Microsoft Suite

Education

Associates degree

Tools

Workday

Event Master

Job description

Event Coordinator, Cornell Catering

University Job Title: Restaurant Svc Coord II

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters, including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As part of SCL, Cornell Dining is comprised of more than 30 on‑campus eateries, including multiple all access dining rooms, cafés, coffee shops, food courts, retail convenience stores, concessions stands, a restaurant, and catering services. From crafting holiday‑themed meals to chef surprises and dining room special events, the Cornell Dining team of more than 400 skilled culinarians and front‑line associates, and 600 student employees work hard every day to offer a variety of fresh and healthy food from all across the world. Cornell Dining’s mission is a commitment to Nourishing the Future: both for our guests and for our team. This is accomplished with a team‑oriented and customer service mindset, and an emphasis on training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities for our entire organization.

As a division of Cornell Dining, Cornell Catering is the preferred catering service for Cornell University events and is uniquely qualified to serve the entire Cornell community and beyond. We are proud to work for Cornell and place a strong emphasis on Cornell Pride; our focus on students is one of the many concepts that differentiate Cornell Catering from other caterers. With its team of experienced professional staff, Cornell Catering is a full‑service caterer that provides incredible food and beverages to guests at formal banquets for thousands, elegant weddings for hundreds, or intimate dinners for a few. Over the past thirty five years, Cornell Catering has worked with clients to create customized events that meet specific objectives and budgets.

The Event Coordinator is entrusted to oversee the basic operational details of a variety of events that Cornell Catering executes, including large university events and alumni weddings that can range in size and visibility. The success of these events is critical for Cornell Catering and Cornell Dining as a whole and includes supporting a very high level of coordination and communication between a diverse clientele (students, alumni, staff, faculty, university leadership, etc.), staff (managers, union employees, students, temporary, etc.), as well as our own sales, culinary and operations teams to help ensure, and help execute, all event logistics. The Event Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring repeat business as they develop and maintain strong client relationships both onsite and beyond.

A successful Event Coordinator will:

• Be a model of professionalism, possessing excellent customer service skills to deliver on a range of services to new and existing clients.
• Have a strong spirit of teamwork and cooperation, a positive attitude, receiving and responding to feedback, as well as approaching challenges with initiative and a solution mindset.
• Value professional growth on a positive, forward‑thinking team. They will be a trusted and respected ally to staff, having the confidence and tact to ensure issues and concerns are acknowledged while being mindful of existing company structures, policies, and protocols.
• Thrive in a collaborative work environment, working with other Cornell Dining team members, and units within Student and Campus Life to help strengthen community and campus partnerships.
• Have strong organizational skills and be able to respond quickly and effectively to multiple priorities, situations, and concerns with a high level of understanding, knowledge, and initiative.
• Be highly adaptable and flexible and work well in a constantly changing environment with significant physical demands.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications:

• Trade/Vocational/Technical School or Associate degree with at least two years of experience in a catering or food service industry or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Strong computer skills, with the ability to learn and successfully use Microsoft Suite, Filemaker, or similar database software, and calendar management programs.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to stand for long periods, including periods with significant walking.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NY state driver’s license with no major driving violations. Must be able to obtain DOT or university certification as may be asked to drive catering trucks on short notice
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

This position requires a variable work schedule, including night and weekend availability, to accommodate business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food safety course certification and/or TIPPS or similar certificate program.
• Previous experience with Workday, Event Master, and FSS systems
• Previous experience supervising others is strongly preferred.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.

Job Family: Auxiliary Services

Level: D

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Pay Range: $26.00 - $30.05

Remote Option Availability: Onsite

Company: Endowed

Contact Name: Jana English

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

• Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria: Prior relevant work or industry experience, Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position, Unique applicable skills, Academic Discipline.

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-09-08

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far‑flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.