Senior Corporate Event & Catering Director

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work flexibility

Career advancement opportunities

Prestigious clients and projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Corporate Event & Catering Director to lead our high-end corporate events portfolio from a fully remote location. You will oversee the full lifecycle from client consultation and concept development through execution and post-event analysis, guiding a team of event professionals across catering, logistics, and venues.

The role demands strategic leadership, deep industry knowledge, strong financial acumen, and a proven track record delivering large-scale,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive corporate event management experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership or directorial role.
• Proven budgeting, forecasting, and P&L experience.
• Strong client relationship development and sales within the events industry.
• Experience managing large-scale, high-budget corporate events.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, development, and execution of all corporate events and catering projects.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with corporate clients and understand their objectives.
• Develop creative event concepts, themes, and catering proposals for client needs.
• Manage event budgets to ensure profitability and cost control.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of event planners and catering coordinators.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to design menus and ensure food quality.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and venues for seamless logistics.
• Develop operational standards and best practices for event execution and service.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and drive continuous improvement.
• Represent the company at industry forums and client meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Budgeting

Event management

Negotiation

Catering operations

CRM software

Vendor management

Tools

CRM systems

Event management software

Job description

About the Role Our client, a high-end catering and event management firm specializing in corporate functions, is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Corporate Event & Catering Director. This position is entirely remote, allowing you to manage operations and client relationships from anywhere. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of corporate events, from initial client consultation and concept development through to flawless execution and post-event analysis. This role demands exceptional leadership, a deep understanding of the catering and events industry, strong financial acumen, and a passion for delivering unparalleled client experiences. You will lead a team of event professionals and collaborate closely with culinary and logistics departments to ensure the highest standards of service and product delivery. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a driven professional aiming to make a significant impact in the corporate events sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of all corporate events and catering projects.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with corporate clients, understanding their strategic objectives and event needs.
• Oversee the development of creative event concepts, themes, and catering proposals tailored to specific client requirements.
• Manage comprehensive event budgets, ensuring profitability and effective cost control across all projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of event planners and catering coordinators to achieve excellence.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to design innovative menus and ensure exceptional food quality and presentation.
• Liaise with vendors, suppliers, and venues to negotiate contracts and ensure seamless event logistics.
• Develop and implement operational standards and best practices for event execution and client service.
• Conduct post-event evaluations, analyzing performance metrics and client feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Represent the company at high-level industry forums and client meetings.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in corporate event management and catering operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or directorial role.
• Proven expertise in managing large-scale, high-budget corporate events and banqueting.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client relationship management, and sales within the events industry.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L responsibility.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational abilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in event management software and CRM systems.
• Strategic thinker with a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovative event design.
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding, fast-paced, and fully remote environment.
• Must be based in **South Africa**.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R , with potential for bonuses based on performance.
• Fully remote work flexibility, offering autonomy and work-life balance.
• Lead high-impact corporate events for prestigious clients.
• Significant career advancement opportunities within a growing firm.
• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of corporate event services.