Catering Services Director - Elon University

Job Description

Come and grow with us! Harvest Table Culinary Group is seeking an enthusiastic Director of Catering and Event Services with a "can-do" attitude to drive our catering program to serve our campus and local community.

The right candidate has multi-unit experience and possesses a strategic eye for developing long-term relationships and enhancing our brand-to-guest experience on behalf of the Harvest Table Culinary Group. Providing an excellent client partner experience with each event.

As the Director of Catering and Event Services, you will be responsible for creating experiences that exceed guests’ expectations and collaborating with staff to ensure seamless execution. This leadership role requires a passion to make others happy, delivering exceptional service, and selling an experience.

This ideal candidate will have combined 3-5 years of experience in hospitality and event planning in a higher education environment. This candidate should demonstrate exceptional organizational abilities, superb interpersonal skills, multi-tasking skills, and excellent time management. You will be responsible for selling, planning, and overseeing the execution of all catered events.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring guests’ needs and requirements are effectively communicated to appropriate teams.
• Work with marketing on event and catering marketing materials.
• Reinforce brand-to-guest relations.
• Build and promote lasting guest relationships.
• Develop new clientele relationships while maintaining existing relationships.
• Coordinate with clients on menu selections, floor plans, dietary requirements, etc.
• Conduct site visits with potential clients.
• Work with culinary to create attractive and competitive events packages.
• Nurture and cultivate current catering clientele.
• Responsible for ensuring guest inquiries are responded to in a timely manner.
• Responsible for finalizing detailed contracts and ensuring catering orders reflect guests’ requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate payments.
• Responsible for creating and distributing, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs). Ensuring they have been approved by clients and the internal team in a timely manner. Include details that will ensure a successful event or catering experience.
• Responsible for maintaining and growing a robust list of external creative partners that will help enhance guests’ experience
• Ensure that private event spaces are meeting and exceeding guests’ expectations.
• Responsible for ensuring catering events are executed properly.
• Responsible for ensuring a smooth and professional hand-off/introduction to clients and event/catering lead.
• Managing a team of 25-30
• Catering Sales experience—with a focus on growth
• Experience with building/costing/pricing menus to be able to collaborate with the Catering Executive Chef

Qualifications

•    Requires at least 4 years of experience
•    Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
•    Previous experience in events and catering required
•    Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
•    Strong communication skills
•    Available to work event-based hours
•    Complete Food Handlers and Alcohol Service Certifications as required
 

This role may have physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing. This role may also require uniforms and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  

About Harvest Table Culinary Group

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At HTCG, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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