Director of Catering - Union College
Position Title: Director of Catering - Union College
Salary: $95,000 - $105,000 / year
Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.
Job Summary
The Director of Catering will lead and execute all catering operations across Union College, delivering exceptional hospitality experiences for campus and client events. This is a highly visible, fast-paced, hands-on leadership role that requires strong attention to detail, the ability to multitask effectively, and a commitment to operational excellence. The Director of Catering will oversee all internal and external catering functions, build and maintain strong client relationships, and ensure seamless execution with exceptional food quality and service standards.
Success in this role requires a leader who thrives in an active environment, enjoys being on their feet, and can balance event execution, team leadership, and client expectations with professionalism and urgency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Direct and oversee all catering operations, ensuring flawless execution of internal and external events from planning through service delivery
- Lead, coach, and develop catering team members with a focus on service excellence, hospitality standards, and operational consistency
- Train staff on service techniques, event presentation, guest engagement, and execution expectations
- Partner closely with culinary leadership to create innovative, client-focused menus and memorable event experiences
- Build and maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail
- Manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and high service standards in a fast-paced environment
- Monitor and manage labor and food costs for each event to support financial performance goals
- Conduct event walkthroughs and remain actively involved in event execution to ensure quality and client satisfaction
- Coordinate logistics, staffing, timelines, and operational details to deliver seamless event experiences
- Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company operational standards
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree preferred; Bachelor’s degree is a plus
- 3–5+ years of progressive foodservice or hospitality management experience required
- Prior catering leadership experience required, preferably within higher education, hospitality, or multi-unit environments
- Demonstrated success managing client relationships and delivering high-touch service experiences
- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, physically active environment requiring standing, walking, and multitasking throughout the day
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to support operations and lead by example
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team development skills
Apply to Bon Appetit today!
Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.
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Associates at Bon Appetit 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)
- Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis
- 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.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
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: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Nearest Major Market: Albany
Job Segment:
Food Service, Chef, Culinary, Catering, Hospitality
