Director of Catering

About the role

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 !

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for catering and events, building strong relationships with clients and executive stakeholders.
• Cook up and execute all internal and external catering events from concept through execution.
• Consult with clients to understand event objectives and create customized solutions that deliver exceptional experiences.
• Partner with culinary and operations teams to develop menus, event plans, and service strategies aligned with client expectations.
• Lead all event logistics, including planning, staffing, transportation, setup, service execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Manage catering budgets, contract pricing, food costs, and labor costs to support operational and financial goals.
• Develop and implement catering sales and marketing initiatives that promote program growth and client engagement.
• Hire, train, coach, and schedule catering staff while fostering a culture of hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise a team providing guidance, support, and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company operating standards.
• Continuously evaluate client feedback and event outcomes to enhance service delivery and strengthen partnerships.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting or partnering with C-suite executives and senior leadership teams in a hospitality, catering, events, or corporate dining setting.
• Demonstrated success in event planning and execution, managing multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with executive stakeholders.
• Experience managing catering operations, special events, or hospitality services.
• Proven ability to build trusted client relationships and deliver high-touch service.
• Experience leading, coaching, or supervising team members.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field.
• Experience in corporate dining, conference centers, luxury hospitality, or executive catering environments.
• Knowledge of menu development, event budgeting, contract pricing, and cost management.
• Experience sourcing temporary labor, rentals, and event equipment.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Familiarity with catering management and event planning systems.