Event Designer

Founding Farmers Co. Catering & Events; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision

Paid time off

Dining credit

Parental leave

Gym & yoga discount

Mental health therapy

Career growth

Employee assistance

Job summary

Founding Farmers Catering & Events is seeking an Event Designer to sell, design, and execute catering events for corporate and social clients. You will manage from inquiry to execution, serving as the primary contact while collaborating with Culinary and Operations teams to deliver outstanding experiences.

You will blend sales acumen with creativity, organization, and attention to detail to design thoughtful events, build client relationships, and ensure operational feasibility across

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in catering sales, event sales, hospitality sales, or event planning preferred.
• Experience selling and managing full service catering and social events.
• Strong relationship building and customer service skills.
• Proven ability to close deals and manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of catering sales and event production including inquiries, site visits, client meetings, tastings, proposal development, contract execution, and payment confirmation.
• Design and sell corporate and social catering events with a consultative, client focused approach.
• Accurately build catering proposals, menus, timelines, and event details to secure business.
• Use and maintain the CRM and catering database to manage leads, proposals, event details, and client communication.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the planning process.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with venues, vendors, and event partners.
• Collaborate with Culinary and Operations teams to ensure events are executable and aligned with client expectations; communicate clearly and consistently.
• Plan and coordinate event logistics including rentals, staffing needs, timelines, and service flow.

Skills

Catering sales

Event planning

CRM proficiency

Client communication

Relationship building

Negotiation

Multi-tasking

Time management

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Event Designer for Founding Farmers Catering and Events is responsible for selling, designing, and executing catering events for corporate and social clients. This role manages events from initial inquiry through execution, serving as the primary point of contact for clients while collaborating closely with Culinary and Operations teams to deliver exceptional experiences.

The Event Designer combines strong sales skills with creativity, organization, and attention to detail. This role focuses on full service catering and production, building relationships with venues and clients, and creating thoughtful event designs that meet client needs while remaining operationally sound.

Pay Range: $65k + Commission

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive pay
• Health insurance plans available for as low as $150 per month after 30 days of employment
• Dental and vision plans
• Paid time off
• $300 dining credit per month for Farmers Restaurant Group
• Paid pregnancy and parental leave
• Voluntary benefits: short-term disability and accident insurance
• Free access to company massage therapist
• Discounted gym & yoga membership
• Free mental health therapy through our partner ComPsych, where employees and their immediate family members receive confidential sessions available virtually or in-person
• Training and career growth opportunities
• Free Employee Assistance Program

WHAT OUR EVENT DESIGNER DOES:

• Manage all aspects of catering sales and event production including inquiries, site visits, client meetings, tastings, proposal development, contract execution, and payment confirmation
• Design and sell corporate and social catering events with a consultative, client focused approach
• Accurately build catering proposals, menus, timelines, and event details to secure business
• Use and maintain the CRM and catering database in accordance with company guidelines and best practices to manage leads, proposals, event details, and client communication and activity tracking
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the planning process
• Build and maintain strong relationships with venues, vendors, and event partners
• Collaborate closely with Culinary and Operations teams to ensure events are executable and aligned with client expectations; communicate clearly and consistently to ensure seamless event execution
• Plan and coordinate event logistics including rentals, staffing needs, timelines, and service flow
• Collect deposits and coordinate payments in partnership with Finance
• Actively pursue new business opportunities through outreach, networking, and relationship building
• Contribute to monthly and quarterly sales goals, strategies, and performance tracking
• Produce period end reporting and maintain accurate sales and event data
• Represent the company and the brand professionally in all client interactions
• Answer assigned catering inquiries in a timely manner
• Support sales team development efforts and initiatives as a member of the sales team (e.g., executing marketing events, client presentations) to assist the growth of the catering division as a whole
• Perform administrative duties, special projects, and additional responsibilities as assigned
• Work evenings and weekends as needed based on client needs and event schedules
• All other duties as assigned

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE AN EVENT DESIGNER:

• Three to five years of experience in catering sales, event sales, hospitality sales, or event planning preferred
• Experience selling and managing full service catering and social events
• Strong relationship building and customer service skills
• Proven ability to close deals and manage multiple events simultaneously
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• Passion for hospitality, events, and client experience
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely with Culinary, Operations, and Sales teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office
• Positive, professional demeanor with a strong work ethic
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role including standing, walking, lifting up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, bending, reaching, and moving throughout the workday, with or without reasonable accommodation