Regional Catering Director

Restaurant Associates; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Job summary

Restaurant Associates seeks a Regional Catering Director to oversee catering operations across New York City and Westchester. You will partner with clients, regional leadership, and on-site teams to deliver exceptional hospitality while driving financial performance and service excellence.

You will provide strategic oversight for catering programs, develop leaders, and ensure events meet elevated standards for a premier corporate environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in hospitality, business, or related field.
• Experience leading catering/hospitality or corporate dining operations in multi-site environments.
• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, labor management and cost controls.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead catering strategy and execution across the assigned region.
• Partner with directors and managers to ensure consistency in event planning and guest experience.
• Establish and maintain service standards reflecting company and client expectations.
• Build client relationships and advise on catering and hospitality solutions.
• Monitor budgets, labor utilization, and financial results to support profitability.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor catering teams across locations.

Skills

Financial acumen

Leadership abilities

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Culinary Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Event management systems

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Regional Catering Director Salary: $120,000 - $130,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefit Package

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary:

As the Regional Catering Director, you will lead catering operations across a high-profile financial services portfolio throughout New York City and Westchester. In this role, you will partner closely with clients, regional leadership, and on-site teams to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences while driving operational consistency, financial performance, and service excellence.

You will provide strategic oversight for catering programs, support the development of catering leaders, and ensure events are executed with the elevated standards expected within a premier corporate environment. This position offers the opportunity to influence regional catering strategy while fostering a culture centered on hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall catering strategy and operational execution across the assigned region.
• Partner with Catering Directors, Catering Managers, and Service Managers to ensure consistency in event planning, execution, and guest experience.
• Establish and maintain service standards that reflect both company and client expectations.
• Build strong client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor on catering and hospitality solutions.
• Monitor catering performance, budgets, labor utilization, and financial results to support profitability goals.
• Identify opportunities to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction.
• Collaborate with regional and operational leaders to support business growth initiatives and special projects.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor catering and service teams, creating opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Oversee staffing strategies and workforce planning to support event demand and service excellence.
• Partner with Human Resources and operational leadership to address employee relations matters and support a positive workplace culture.
• Facilitate onboarding, training, and professional development programs that reinforce hospitality standards and operational best practices.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Review catering reports, business metrics, and client feedback to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support high-profile meetings, executive events, conferences, and special programs requiring elevated levels of hospitality and service.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Culinary Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading catering, hospitality, conference services, or corporate dining operations within a multi-site environment.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale catering programs and high-profile client events.
• Knowledge of hospitality trends, event management practices, and premium service standards.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing teams across multiple locations.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and cost controls.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with clients, operational leaders, and support teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and event management systems.
• ServSafe certification preferred.
• TIPS certification preferred.
• Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and exceptional customer service.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf