Virtual Event Catering Strategist (Remote)

Placements24; Komani; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Flexible schedule

Global team collaboration

Professional development resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Virtual Event Catering Strategist to lead innovative catering concepts for virtual and hybrid events in a remote-first setup. You will design remote-friendly menu packages, coordinate with culinary teams, and develop scalable experiences that engage attendees wherever they are.

The role demands a strong background in event management, exceptional creativity, and mastery of logistics and delivery challenges.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in event management, catering, or related field with focus on strategy development.
• Proven track record of creating and implementing new service models or product lines.
• Exceptional creativity and forward-thinking for event experiences.
• Strong understanding of food & beverage logistics, supply chain and delivery.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in project management and coordinating remote teams.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills for clear idea articulation.
• Experience with virtual or hybrid event planning is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative catering strategies and concepts for virtual and hybrid events.
• Research delivery models and partners for food & beverage services.
• Design bespoke remote-friendly menu packages considering shelf-life and prep.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to ensure quality of delivered items.
• Create operational plans for packaging, distribution and timing.
• Develop tasting experiences, cocktail kits, and interactive activities.
• Analyze market trends and competitors to identify opportunities.
• Present and implement virtual catering solutions with client-facing teams.
• Manage budgets and optimize costs for virtual catering offerings.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and delivery regulations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Event management

Creativity

Logistics

Analytical skills

Project management

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred (Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing, or related)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking leader in the event services sector, is seeking an innovative Virtual Event Catering Strategist to join their remote-first team. This unique role requires a visionary individual who can conceptualize and develop cutting-edge catering solutions for the rapidly growing virtual and hybrid event market. You will be responsible for designing unique food and beverage experiences that can be effectively delivered to attendees' homes or designated locations, ensuring engagement and satisfaction regardless of physical presence. This position demands creativity, a deep understanding of logistics, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a distributed team of event planners, culinary experts, and delivery partners. You will shape the future of how clients experience catered events in the digital age, developing scalable and engaging strategies that differentiate our client in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative catering strategies and concepts for virtual and hybrid events.
• Research and identify effective food and beverage delivery models and partners.
• Design bespoke menu packages tailored for remote consumption, considering shelf-life, presentation, and ease of preparation.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to ensure the quality and appeal of delivered food items.
• Create detailed operational plans for the execution of virtual catering experiences, including packaging, distribution, and timing.
• Develop creative solutions for virtual tasting experiences, cocktail kits, and interactive food-related activities.
• Analyze market trends and competitor offerings to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Work closely with client-facing teams to present and implement virtual catering solutions.
• Manage budgets and optimize costs for virtual catering offerings.
• Ensure all solutions comply with relevant food safety and delivery regulations.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in event management, catering, or a related field, with a significant focus on innovative strategy development.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing new service models or product lines.
• Exceptional creativity and a forward-thinking approach to event experiences.
• Strong understanding of food and beverage logistics, supply chain management, and delivery challenges.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in project management and a strong ability to collaborate with diverse, remote teams.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Experience with virtual or hybrid event planning is highly advantageous.
• A bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.
• Must possess a reliable home office setup and high-speed internet connectivity.

Benefits

• Highly competitive contract rate reflecting strategic expertise.
• Opportunity to pioneer innovative solutions in a growing market segment.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant flexibility.
• Collaborate with a dynamic and forward-thinking international team.
• Direct impact on shaping the future of event catering.
• Access to resources for professional development and exploration of new technologies.