National Catering Director

Aramark Corporation; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Job summary

Aramark is seeking a National Director of Catering to lead the portfolio's strategy, brand, and guest experience. The role oversees end-to-end catering operations, including executive dining, VIP events, and large-scale programs across sites, guiding Directors and collaborating with culinary, finance, marketing, and client partners.

The position requires a track record of strategic leadership, strong financial acumen, and the ability to travel up to 60% to manage diverse markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, Marketing, or related field preferred; equivalent senior-level experience considered.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in catering, events, luxury hospitality, or contract food service.
• At least 5 years leading multi-site, regional, or national catering operations.
• Experience owning revenue, profitability, budgeting, and business development.
• Proven track record with VIP and executive events and high-visibility operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year catering strategy and annual operating plan.
• Own catering revenue, profitability, labor, food cost, pricing, forecasting and budget.
• Define the operating model and service standards across the portfolio.
• Provide strategic oversight for VIP and executive events from concept to post-event review.
• Own branding, design standards, menus and sales materials for the portfolio.
• Lead site Catering Directors and partner with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

VIP events

Executive communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

The National Director of Catering serves as the senior business leader for catering across the portfolio. Operating with the scope and accountability of a district manager, this role sets the vision, commercial strategy, operating model, service standards, and guest experience for a catering business that represents approximately 55% of total account revenue.

This leader owns the catering business end to end, from everyday meetings and executive dining to high-profile VIP events and large-scale experiences. The Director leads through site Catering Directors and partners closely with culinary, operations, finance, marketing, procurement, and client stakeholders to create one consistent, distinctive catering brand across all locations.

LifeWorks Restaurant Group crafts thoughtful, chef-led dining and hospitality experiences designed around the people and places we serve. From the first conversation, our teams work as true partners with our clients, shaping everything from the design of a space to the way the experience comes to life. We craft thoughtful, elevated experiences that leave people more inspired, more connected, and genuinely cared for. LifeWorks Restaurant Group is part of Aramark's Workplace Experience Group. Learn more at lifeworksrestaurantgroup.com. Imagination Well Served. #LifeWorksRestaurantGroup Home - LifeWorks Restaurant Group

Compensation Data

COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $140,000.00 to $155,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.

BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation

There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Job Responsibilities

Business Strategy and Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute the multi-year catering strategy and annual operating plan, aligned with account objectives and the broader workplace hospitality vision.
• Own portfolio catering revenue, profitability, labor productivity, food cost, pricing, forecasting, and budget performance in partnership with Finance and site leaders.
• Use data, market intelligence, customer feedback, event trends, and site performance to identify opportunities, correct underperformance, and guide investment.

Portfolio Operations and Standards

• Define the portfolio catering operating model, including service standards, planning tools, ordering and production processes, staffing principles, quality controls, and escalation protocols.
• Standardize the practices that should be consistent across the portfolio while protecting the flexibility required for different markets, event types, and client needs.

VIP Events and Executive Hospitality

• Provide strategic oversight for VIP, executive, board, client, and highly visible events, from concept development through post-event review.
• Build trusted relationships with executive assistants, event planners, workplace teams, and senior client stakeholders to anticipate needs and deliver with discretion.

Catering Brand, Design, and Guest Experience

• Own the catering look and feel across the portfolio, including presentation standards, equipment and display direction, service ware, uniforms, signage, packaging, event styling, and the visual expression of the brand.
• Partner with Culinary and Marketing to develop relevant menus, seasonal programs, packages, storytelling, photography, and sales materials that strengthen the portfolio's competitive position.
• Establish tiered service models and design standards for everyday catering, premium meetings, executive hospitality, celebrations, and large-scale events.

People Leadership and Organizational Capability

• Lead, coach, and develop site catering directors as business owners, strengthening their capabilities in hospitality, sales, financial management, workforce planning, and event execution.
• Set clear role expectations, goals, routines, and performance standards for catering leadership across all sites.

Client Partnership and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the principal catering partner to senior client stakeholders, translating business needs into scalable programs and measurable results.
• Present catering strategy, performance, innovation, opportunities, and investment recommendations in executive meetings and business reviews.

Qualifications

In order to be prepared for this leadership role, qualified candidates will possess:

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred. Equivalent senior-level experience will be considered.
• 10 or more years of progressive leadership experience in catering, events, luxury hospitality, hotels, restaurants, workplace dining, or contract food service.
• At least 5 years leading a multi-site, regional, national, or similarly complex catering operation through other managers.
• Demonstrated ownership of a significant revenue and profit portfolio, including budgeting, forecasting, pricing, labor management, food cost, and business development.
• Proven experience leading VIP and executive events, large-scale programs, and complex, high-visibility operations.
• Strong design and hospitality sensibility with experience establishing brand, presentation, and service standards.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, influence, and relationship-building skills, with the judgment to operate confidently with senior leaders and clients.
• Ability to build strategy, translate it into scalable systems, and hold multiple locations accountable for execution and results.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort using financial, sales, operational, and customer data to make decisions.
• Ability to travel approximately 60%, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on event needs.
• Influence across functions and organizational levels

This role may have physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing. This role may also require uniforms and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.