Corporate Director, Catering & Events Operations

SSA Group, LLC • Denver, CO

20h • Remote

About The Position

The Corporate Director, Operations: Catering & Events acts as a strategic leader and bridge to the VP of Catering & Events, leading and developing the District Manager (DM), Catering Operations team and acts as the operational counterpart to the Corporate Director, Sales Operations: Catering & Events. Together, these roles drive cohesive business outcomes across sales effectiveness, operational excellence, partner relations, financial performance, and guest experience. This leader ensures every catering and events operation meets (and exceeds) SSA standards for execution, culinary delivery, guest satisfaction, safety, and brand alignment across all units. The Director drives innovation, operational consistency, talent development, and long‑range strategy to support accelerated growth.

Requirements

• Vendor & Contract Management – Skilled in sourcing, negotiating, and managing vendor relationships to ensure quality, cost control, and seamless event execution.
• Culinary Partnership & Menu Strategy – Advanced knowledge of collaborating with culinary teams on menu design, costing, innovation, and quality assurance.
• Client Experience Leadership – Anticipates client needs, resolves issues, and sustains high guest satisfaction and service recovery standards.
• Event Logistics & Technical Execution – Extensive experience planning complex, multi‑phase events including AV coordination, staging, space planning, and flow management.
• Risk, Safety & Compliance Management – Deep knowledge of food safety, alcohol service compliance, sanitation, and event safety protocols; enforces standards across multiple units.
• Multi‑Unit Leadership & Change Management – Ability to implements consistent standards across diverse locations; leads teams through operational and cultural change.
• Hospitality Leadership Excellence – Demonstrates vision, emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to inspire high‑performing hospitality teams.
• Executive‑Level Communication & Collaboration – Communicates crisply with executives, unit partners, and cross‑functional teams to align goals and plans.
• Minimum 9 years in catering or event operations with experience in off-site catering, unique venues, hotel or cultural attraction venue preferred.
• A minimum of 9 years of experience is required for this position; however, candidates with 11 or more years of experience will be given stronger consideration.
• Minimum 5 years in a catering leadership position, preferably leading direct reports.
• All education backgrounds are eligible. Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

• ServSafe or Food Handling Certification is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of District Managers, Catering Operations, including performance evaluations, coaching, and long‑term professional development.
• Partner closely with the Corporate Director, Sales Operations: Catering & Events to ensure seamless alignment between sales commitments and operational execution.
• Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and ongoing development for District Managers and unit‑level operations teams.
• Remove organizational barriers, enabling teams to execute efficiently and consistently.
• Collaborate with District Managers & General Managers on performance evaluations and corrective plans when needed for in-unit team members.
• Ensure all catering operations meet SSA standards for food quality, safety, sanitation, service, and presentation across all regions at the local, state and federal regulation levels.
• Oversee operational readiness for high‑volume, high‑profile, or complex events, including on‑site leadership when needed.
• Drive standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational playbooks, and continuous improvement systems across all units.
• Collaborate with culinary, procurement, and marketing to implement brand‑aligned menu strategy, production efficiencies, and cost‑control initiatives.
• Travel to units for large-scale or high-touch events, providing continued mentorship, relationship building, and ensuring the highest level of execution.
• Serve as the operational counterpart and strategic partner to the Corporate Director, Sales Operations — ensuring sales strategies, lead pipelines, and client commitments translate to operational feasibility and excellence.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners in marketing, business development, culinary, retail, procurement, and finance to drive enterprise‑level initiatives.
• Provide direction in business development pitches related to execution capabilities, staffing models, or operational scope.
• Cultivate strong relationships with unit partners where standards need improvement.
• Oversee catering & events operational P&L across assigned districts, managing cost of goods, labor, and operational expenses to ensure profitability.
• Partner with Sales Operations to develop and execute district‑level and unit‑level revenue strategies.
• Review and analyze financial statements, forecasts, and event performance reports to identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Ensure District Managers execute budgeting, forecasting, staffing plans, and inventory controls effectively.
• Drive innovation by establishing and implementing best practices.
• Promote sustainability and conservation efforts within the team.
• Engage in community efforts and drive initiatives that give back to the community.
• Establish and track KPIs related to event execution quality, operational efficiency, safety, cost controls, and partner satisfaction.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory and safety compliance across all units.
• Lead operational audits, quality reviews, and risk‑mitigation plans.
• Use data to evaluate trends and drive operational decision‑making across districts.
• Drive innovation in catering operations, implementing best practices, technology enhancements, and operational systems.
• Champion sustainability, conservation, and community engagement initiatives across the catering operations portfolio.
• Lead continuous improvement projects aimed at elevating guest experience and operational performance.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive environment across operations teams and partner locations.
• Ensure IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) principles guide leadership, hiring, development, and daily practice.
• Engage teams in community outreach and opportunities to give back.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Benefits

• Bonus eligible based on company guidelines
• Vacation or TAFW (time away from work) Plan – we want our team to take time as they need, so we don’t accrue hours but rather give you freedom to schedule within scope of the business and your needs
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance; employee premiums applicable
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave
• Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on birthing event
• (4) Week fully paid Parental leave following birth, adoption or foster event, can be coupled with Birthing Parent Plan to extend above timeline
• 401k program, eligible for enrollment after (1) year of employment
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Monthly milage stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level