Director of Catering

Director of Catering

theWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel, is a luxury lifestyle property located in the heart of downtown Chicago's Loop and Theater District. Surrounded by leading corporate offices, theaters, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and cultural attractions, the hotel attracts a diverse mix of business, leisure, group, and social guests. Its prime downtown location and vibrant urban setting make theWit an ideal destination for corporate meetings, weddings, social events, and celebrations.

Position Summary

The Director of Catering is responsible for leading the hotel's catering sales and event execution strategy, driving profitable banquet and catering revenue across social, corporate, wedding, and group segments. This role owns the full client lifecycle-from lead generation and relationship development through contract negotiation, event planning, and seamless on-site execution-while building a high-performing catering team and delivering the elevated service experience associated with theWit Chicago. The Director of Catering partners closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing, General Manager, Executive Chef, and event operations team to develop compelling experiences that maximize revenue, strengthen client relationships, and position theWit Chicago as a premier destination for meetings, celebrations, weddings, and special events in downtown Chicago.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Generation & Sales Strategy

• Develop and execute the hotel's annual catering sales and marketing plan, setting revenue goals across social catering, corporate catering, weddings, and group/convention banquet business
• Proactively solicit new catering business through outbound prospecting, networking, industry events, and cultivation of repeat/referral clients
• Negotiate contracts, deposits, and cancellation terms in line with hotel policy and profitability targets
• Maintain and grow relationships with key accounts, wedding planners, corporate meeting planners, and local community/social organizations
• Partner with the Director of Sales & Marketing on rate strategy, space utilization, and displacement analysis for catering bookings that compete with group room revenue

Event Planning & Execution

• Serve as the primary client contact from contract signing through post-event follow-up, ensuring a seamless and highly personalized experience
• Prepare detailed, accurate Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and communicate requirements clearly to Culinary, Banquets, Audio/Visual, and other operational departments
• Lead twice-weekly BEO meetings to align all departments on upcoming event requirements and identify potential service gaps before they occur
• Conduct site visits, menu tastings, and final walk-throughs with clients to confirm every detail ahead of the event
• Be present and visible during high-profile or high-risk events to ensure flawless execution and immediately resolve any on-site issues

Financial & Operational Management

• Own the catering department's revenue forecast, working closely with Revenue Management and the DOSM on monthly and annual projections
• Manage the catering department budget, including labor, food and beverage costs, and departmental expenses
• Monitor menu pricing and packages to protect profit margins while remaining competitive in the local market
• Review and approve staffing/labor schedules in coordination with the General Manager to ensure appropriate coverage without overstaffing
• Track key performance metrics (booking pace, conversion rate, average event spend, guest satisfaction scores) and report regularly to hotel leadership

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, coach, and manage performance of the catering sales team, setting clear individual and team revenue goals
• Foster a collaborative, service-driven culture between the Catering Sales team and Banquet Operations to eliminate the "sales vs. operations" friction common in hotel catering
• Conduct regular 1:1s and team meetings to review pipeline, resolve open issues, and support professional development
• Partner with the DOSM, GM and Exec Chef on staffing standards, service protocols, and issue escalation paths so both departments operate as one cohesive unit

Brand & Compliance

• Ensure all catering operations comply with Hilton brand standards, food safety regulations, liquor liability requirements, and local health department codes
• Maintain accurate records in the hotel's sales and catering management system (e.g., Delphi FDC)
• Uphold Hilton's service culture and brand voice in all client-facing communication and marketing materials
• Represent the hotel professionally at industry events, bridal shows, chamber of commerce functions, and community partnerships

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive catering and/or event sales experience in a full-service hotel, with at least 2 years in a leadership/management role
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding catering revenue goals
• Strong working knowledge of banquet operations, menu planning, and F&B cost controls
• Proficiency with sales/catering management software (Delphi FDC, Salesforce, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent negotiation, organizational, and client relationship management skills
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules

Preferred

• Experience within Hilton or another major branded full-service hotel environment
• Established relationships with local wedding planners, corporate meeting planners, and social event contacts in the market
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or equivalent industry certification
• Bilingual capability a plus, depending on market

Core Competencies

• Client-Centric Selling - builds trust quickly and tailors solutions to each client's vision and budget
• Cross-Departmental Leadership - drives alignment between Sales, Culinary, and Banquet Operations without formal authority over all teams involved
• Financial Acumen - balances revenue growth with margin protection and accurate forecasting
• Composure Under Pressure - remains calm and solutions-focused when live events hit last-minute changes
• Coaching & Development - builds bench strength on the catering sales team rather than relying solely on individual production

Working Conditions

• Primarily hotel-based with regular presence in event/banquet spaces, kitchen, and administrative offices
• Must be able to stand/walk for extended periods during events and lift up to 25 lbs (event materials, signage, etc.)
• Schedule varies based on event calendar; evening and weekend work is a regular part of this role, not an exception

Compensation:

• Base salary: $90,000 - $110,000 per year

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Our offerings include:

• Medical Plans: Choice of three plans to meet your healthcare needs.
• Dental Plans: Two options for dental coverage.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine eye care and eyewear.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): To support work-life balance.
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity/Critical Illness plans (new for 2026).
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Plan for your future with employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: Employer-provided coverage with additional voluntary options.
• Short-Term Disability (STD): Employer-provided coverage to support you during temporary disability.
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD): Additional protection for extended disability.
• Commuter Benefits: Save on transit and parking expenses.
• Pet Insurance: Options to support your furry family members.
• Hilton travel discounts and employee room rates worldwide
• Career growth and training opportunities
• Access to wellness programs and employee appreciation events

Please note that eligibility for certain benefits may vary depending on your employment status. Detailed information, including plan summaries and enrollment instructions, will be provided during onboarding or upon request. This summary complies with applicable state laws and is subject to change based on legislative updates or company policies.

E-Verify Participation:

theWit Hotel participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

theWit Hotel and ROOF on theWit are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.