Catering Coordinator

About the Role

Provide administrative, operational, fiscal, and customer service support for URI Dining Catering and Events. Serve as the day-to-day primary coordinator for event administration, client communications, billing, event documentation, scheduling, and logistical support for catering operations. Support the General Manager, Catering and Events, in all unit efforts as needed. Assist with sales activities, event logistics, financial administration, customer service, marketing initiatives, and operational coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for routine catering inquiries and event requests. Receive, review, process, and maintain catering orders utilizing designated event management and catering software systems.
• Assist clients in identifying event needs, menu selections, service requirements, room setups, equipment needs, and logistical details.
• Prepare event documentation, banquet event orders, invoices, contracts, estimates, and related operational reports.
• Coordinate communication among clients, culinary staff, operations staff, facilities personnel, vendors, and University departments to ensure successful event execution.
• Maintain event calendars, staffing schedules, production schedules, delivery schedules, and operational timelines.
• Assist the General Manager in planning and coordinating conferences, donor events, commencement activities, VIP functions, and special events as needed.
• Assist with event setup verification, event execution, and post-event follow-up activities.
• Maintain customer records, sales data, historical event information, and operational files.
• Process invoices, deposits, billing documents, journal entries, and other financial records while assisting with budget tracking, sales reporting, revenue monitoring, and operational performance reporting.
• Compile and prepare reports related to sales, customer satisfaction, event activity, labor utilization, and financial performance.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervising student employees assigned to catering operations.
• Ensure compliance with University policies, food safety regulations, risk management procedures, and departmental operating standards.
• Work collaboratively with all University departments to support operational success.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, Event Management, Communications, Marketing, Food Service Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in catering, hospitality, conference services, event management, customer service, sales support, foodservice operations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating events, schedules, logistics, or customer service activities.
• Demonstrated customer service and communication skills.
• Must have Rhode Island Food Safety Manager Certification and TIPS Certification or obtain both within six months of appointment.
• Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred:

• Experience in higher education dining, conference services, hospitality, or event management.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using CBORD Food Service Suite, EMS, CaterTrax, or similar hospitality management systems.
• Experience with billing, budgeting, accounts receivable, or financial reporting.
• Experience supervising student employees.

Licenses and Technology

• Must possess and maintain Rhode Island Food Safety Manager Certification.
• Must possess and maintain TIPS or equivalent Responsible Alcohol Service Certification.
• Valid Rhode Island Driver's License.
• Personal computers, catering management software, event management software, point-of-sale systems, CBORD/Food Service Suite, EMS, Microsoft Office applications, financial management systems, database software, and related technology is preferred.

Pay

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000. Grade Level: 9. Status: Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent.

Schedule and Work Environment

• This position may require frequent evening and weekend work in support of special events, commencement activities, conferences, and catering operations.
• This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

About the University

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

Application Information

First consideration will be given to applications received by August 28, 2026. Applications received after August 28, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration. Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application: (#1) Cover letter. (#2) Resume. References will be upon request by the search committee.