Event Coordinator, Cornell Catering

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University’s Student and Campus Life division, through Cornell Dining and Catering, seeks an Event Coordinator to manage end-to-end event logistics on campus and for alumni events. You will coordinate between sales, culinary, and operations teams to ensure successful delivery and repeat business.

The role requires a two-year catering or food service background, strong computer and calendar management skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• Trade or Associate degree with at least two years in catering/food service.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Suite, Filemaker and calendar management.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs occasionally.
• Must stand for long periods with significant walking.
• Must have a NY state driver's license with no major driving violations and be able to obtain DOT/university certification to drive catering trucks.
• Proven ability linking inclusion, belonging and wellbeing to business goals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee basic operational details of events including large university events and alumni weddings.
• Maintain strong client relationships onsite and beyond to ensure repeat business.
• Coordinate with sales, culinary and operations teams to deliver event objectives.

Skills

Microsoft Suite

Filemaker

Calendar management

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Valid NY Driver's License

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Workday

Event Master

FSS systems

Job description

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 over 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.

University Job Title

Restaurant Svc Coord II

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]

Non-Union Positions

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions