NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF CATERING AND CONFERENCE SERVICES.
Position Title: NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF CATERING AND CONFERENCE SERVICES.
Salary: 145000 - 156000
As the leader in business and industry dining, Eurest is the company to join if you want a rewarding career packed with limitless opportunities. We feed the employees of the nation's largest and most-prestigious companies -- in every state and across all industries. As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs, and in-unit associates excel as they deliver world-class meals in corporate cafes and executive dining rooms with on-site catering through vending innovations and more.
Our company is innovative, high performing and fast growing. Our teammates are enthusiastic, committed to quality and thrive on consistently delivering unparalleled results. And did we mention we work with exciting companies and at interesting locations? Come grow your career with Eurest.
Job Summary
Summary: The National Director of Catering & Conference Center Operations serves as the strategic Subject Matter Expert (SME) for conference centers and catering operations across the national portfolio. This role drives operational excellence, standardization, innovation, financial performance, and talent development while ensuring best-in-class client and guest experiences.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
National Operational Strategy & Standardization
- Develop and implement standardized SOPs for conference center and catering operations.
- Ensure EMS booking consistency across all locations, establishing standardized processes for managing and oversee input of all bookings.
- Establish national execution benchmarks for service, culinary presentation, room setups, signage, and hospitality standards.
- Lead contract-wide operational audits and work with unit RD's on corrective action plans.
- Ensure consistency in brand standards across all locations.
Financial & Performance Optimization
- Partner with Regional Directors and General Managers to improve revenue capture, upselling, Utilization, and cost control.
- Drive labor optimization strategies specific to conference center models.
- Provide strategic guidance on pricing models (including room fees), tiered menu structures, and profitability enhancements.
Culinary & Menu Strategy
- Partner with Culinary leadership on Conference Center menu to ensure offerings remain fresh, competitive, and aligned with market trends, as well as meet client timelines of implementation.
- Partner with Culinary leadership to innovate and refresh menus regularly.
- Ensure menu pricing aligns with profitability targets while maintaining strong client value perception.
Client Experience & Hospitality Excellence
- Elevate hospitality culture aligned with high-touch conference environments.
- Support complex, high-visibility events and executive-level meetings.
- Provide crisis management support for service recovery situations.
- Align operations with evolving industry trends in corporate meetings and events.
- Collaborate with Waveguide on Conference Center AV needs.
Talent Development & Leadership Influence
- Recognize high-performing talent across conference center teams and identify emerging leaders.
- Support RD’s interviewing process for talent acquisition.
- Coach and mentor General Managers and Catering Leaders.
- Support succession planning and proactive talent pipeline development.
- Develop training tools, operational playbooks, and leadership development resources.
- Serve as thought leader for conference center best practices.
- Serve as liaison between field operations and corporate leadership.
Innovation & Industry Alignment
- Lead initiatives that align SOPs with current industry trends in conference center and catering.
- Introduce technology enhancements, digital signage standards, and process automation where applicable.
- Travel 1–2 times monthly (or as needed) to key markets to support implementation, trainings and audits.
Qualifications
- 8–12+ years of progressive leadership in catering, conference centers, or hospitality operations.
- Multi-site or national portfolio experience preferred.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated P&L oversight.
- Expertise in SOP development, EMS booking systems, and operational standardization.
- Proven ability to influence without direct authority.
- Executive presence with strong client-facing communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to recognize and develop talent across diverse teams.
Apply to Eurest today!
Eurest is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Eurest 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
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.
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.
Eurest maintains a drug-free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Nearest Major Market: Manhattan
Nearest Secondary Market: New York City
Job Segment:
Chef, Culinary, Catering, Food Service, Hospitality
