Director of Catering and Event Services

Director of Catering and Event Services

The KU Memorial Unions is looking for an energetic and entrepreneurial minded business leader with a hospitality background. If you are passionate about developing processes and leading a team to build a customer service focused brand, this position is for you!Leads the Catering and Event Services departments for the KU Memorial Unions, approximately $2 million in sales. Areas of focus include Catering execution, event services deployment, customer service and positive brand image of the Catering and Event Services functions of the Union.

BENEFITS:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Two months parental leave
• Retirement plan with 6% employer match
• Paid sick, vacation, and holidays
• Wellness program
• Discounts

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree in a business or hospitality field or 6+ years in a similar leadership role

2. 5+ years of experience managing special events, leading teams and catering execution

3. Experience in menu development with large scale financial costing

4. Creating, managing budgets of 2 million sales within a team environment

5. 3+ years of experience with event management software and the ability to identify efficiencies and streamline processes

6. Knowledge of food and beverage preparation techniques and knowledge of liquor laws and regulations

THE BEST CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

1. Experience in developing and usage of an event management system software (currently using EMS)

2. Ability to implement logistical and revenue enhancement opportunities

3. Experience in managing all aspects of private/group event sales (fielding inquiries, managing clientele relationships, site visits, and client meetings, developing proposals, and negotiating contracts)

FOR A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION, SEE BELOW:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/GIVEN: Reports to the Executive Director of the KU Memorial Unions and provides direct supervision to the Event Services Manager, Assistant Director of Catering, Executive Chef (Catering).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Cooperation: Leads customer service expectations to staff. Upholds premier customer service to all catering and event bookings and event clients. Provide positive leadership to enhance collaboration among all units.

2. Financial Responsibility: Fiscally responsible for the Catering and events department of approximately 2 million. Manages income and expenses within budgetary considerations while meeting operational needs. Manages event services resources to operate as a profit center to the extent possible while serving campus needs. Educates leadership team on cost consciousness.

3. Managing People: Develops and executes policies and procedures related to exemplary catering events. Coaches staff to meeting expectations leading to positive experiences in event bookings. Recognize and develop staff with a focus on retention.

4. Project Management: Manages the merger of Event Services with catering, utilizing effective administrative efforts and potential efficiencies. Lead events to ensure they are creating positive brand impressions. Identifies efficiencies in processes to streamline efforts around bookings, catering sales and planning efforts.

5. Business Acumen: Create a plan to enhance catering profitability and expectations for business growth. Execute high level administrative efforts to grow and effectively execute catering details and growth plan.

6. Problem Solving: Leads Catering department to work through staffing concerns and business growth to meet all customer needs. Develop relationships with campus partners to identify opportunities and needs.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

1. Meets collaboratively with the Building Operations full-time staff, addressing synergies

2. Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Efficiency and outstanding organizational skills
• Ability to utilize technology to streamline processes
• Self-motivation with the ability to work well independently and under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability to work creatively and effectively as a team member
• Friendly, positive, and customer service-oriented personality
• Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization
• Commitment to continued personal, organizational, and movement-wide growth in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles