Catering Manager

Position Title: Catering Manager  

Salary: $80,000 - $85,0000

Other Forms of Compensation:

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,

Job Summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking experienced, service-focused Catering Managers to support the World Bank Group’s Washington, D.C. campus. Reporting to the Director of Catering, this role partners closely with catering leadership, culinary teams, and campus stakeholders to plan and execute meetings, conferences, executive functions, and high-profile events in a fast-paced, international setting.

This position offers a primarily Monday–Friday schedule with most holidays off, along with occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on event needs and major meeting periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage assigned events from initial planning through execution, including billing, documentation, and post-event follow-up to ensure accuracy and client satisfaction
• Maintain detailed and accurate banquet event orders, including timelines, guest counts, menus, dietary needs, staffing plans, equipment, and service requirements
• Serve as the on-site operational lead, coordinating event setup, culinary timing, service execution, breakdown, and real-time adjustments
• Build and maintain responsive, professional communication with clients, meeting organizers, and internal partners throughout the event lifecycle
• Partner with catering leadership, culinary teams, and campus service groups to ensure seamless coordination across multiple events and locations
• Direct, brief, and coach regular, union, and temporary staff during events, ensuring clear expectations, service standards, and effective execution
• Develop event-specific staffing plans that align labor with guest counts, service style, complexity, and financial goals
• Monitor event costs, including labor, food, and equipment, while accurately capturing billable items and changes
• Use EMS and related systems to support scheduling, planning, reporting, invoicing, and recordkeeping
• Anticipate operational challenges, resolve routine service issues, and escalate more complex concerns related to client experience, safety, or execution
• Uphold Restaurant Associates standards for hospitality, presentation, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety
• Support large-scale meetings, tastings, training initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in catering, banquets, conference services, or event operations within a hospitality or foodservice environment
• Proven ability to manage multiple events simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and meeting deadlines
• Hands-on leadership experience directing event teams and managing live event execution
• Working knowledge of event logistics, staffing, service flow, setup, breakdown, and billing processes
• Strong client-service mindset with effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Comfort using event management systems and Microsoft Office tools
• Ability to stay composed, adaptable, and solution-oriented in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment
• Flexibility to support early mornings, evenings, weekends, or extended hours when required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume, corporate, or complex catering environments
• Familiarity working with union teams or on-call/temporary staffing models
• Experience supporting executive, VIP, diplomatic, or international events
• Knowledge of EMS, Tripleseat, CaterTrax, Delphi, or similar systems
• Relevant certifications (e.g., ServSafe, responsible alcohol service) or willingness to obtain
• Additional language skills or experience supporting a diverse client base

Apply to Restaurant Associates today!

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

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. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Req ID:  1545493

Restaurant Associates 

Michael Abbey

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