Event Coordinator, Cornell Catering

Cornell University; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking an Event Coordinator within Cornell Dining/Catering to manage the operational details of campus events, weddings, and large gatherings. You will coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure flawless execution and client satisfaction.

You will build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and campus partners, delivering professional service, adapting to changing needs, and supporting repeat business through reliable event care and proactive communication.

Qualifications

• Two years of catering or food service experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite and FileMaker or similar database software.

Responsibilities

• Oversee basic operational details of a variety of events, including large university events and weddings.
• Maintain strong client relationships to support repeat business.
• Coordinate with sales, culinary and operations teams to ensure event logistics.
• Demonstrate professionalism and excellent customer service to clients.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Adaptability

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Associate degree or vocational/technical training

Tools

Microsoft Suite

FileMaker

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