Catering Manager

Catering Manager

The Catering Manager will lead the flawless execution of sophisticated catered events for a premier client account in NYC. This highly visible role is responsible for delivering exceptional, white-glove hospitality experiences while ensuring every event reflects the highest standards of service, quality, and attention to detail.

The ideal candidate is an organized, client-focused hospitality professional with a proven ability to manage multiple high-profile events simultaneously. Success in this role requires outstanding communication, meticulous planning, and seamless coordination across culinary, operations, vendors, and client stakeholders. You will build trusted client relationships, anticipate needs, and deliver memorable event experiences through exceptional presentation, operational excellence, and a polished, hospitality-driven approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consults clients as to scope, expectations, setting, menu, collateral, and entertainment to have a successful and appropriate event within the client's budget
• Plans menus in consultation with the clients and chefs
• Delegates to, and ensures the coordination and execution of events
• Recruits, interviews, selects, and trains permanent and casual staff
• Organizes, leads, and motivates the catering team
• Plans staff and event schedules
• Maintains and develops accurate financial and administrative records
• Serves as liaison and coordinator between Sales Catering Managers, Supervising Chefs, Staffing, Captains, Suppliers, Vendors, Rental Companies and Clients as needed to plan events
• Assesses contract requirements and ensures satisfaction with the services delivered
• Performs final review and assessment of catering events to determine if they meet performance and quality standards
• Resolves customer concerns and ensures timely customer payment

What We're Looking For:

• 3-5 years of experience in a high-volume hospitality management environment, preferably in high-end dining
• Hands-on experience supporting catering events in a high-volume setting
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a client-focused, hospitality-driven environment with an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven track record of driving business growth, operational excellence, and long-term client partnerships.
• Operationally savvy industry professional with demonstrated leadership in managing people, events, and the overall guest experience
• Strong organization, time management, and team motivation skills are essential for success in this role
• Ability to work independently with little direct supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with clients, senior management, and support staff
• Ability to respond effectively to continuously changing demands
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, P&L, labor and sales forecasting and reporting
• Effective use of discretion to problem-solve in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to establish credibility with senior culinary professionals
• Human Resources experience including hiring, training, mentoring, and development

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.