Director of Catering and Events

Sodexo Careers•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sodexo Corporate Services is looking for a Director of Catering & Events for one of our High-Profile accounts in Washington DC. The Director of Catering & Events is responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale catering events. Two of the events we host a year has up to 12K attendees. The Director of Catering & Events will ensure seamless delivery from initial client engagement through post-event evaluation. This role oversees budgeting, staffing, logistics, and operational execution while driving profitability and maintaining exceptional service standards.

Requirements

5–10+ years of catering or hospitality leadership experience, with a strong focus on large-scale events
Proven experience executing events for 5,000–10,000+ guests
Demonstrated success managing large hourly teams in high-volume environments
Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
Experience with event detailing, logistics planning, and operational execution
Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills
Ability to thrive under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
3 years Minimum Management Experience
3 years Minimum Functional Experience of experience in catering, food production, or food service management or a related field

Responsibilities

Oversee full event lifecycle from detailed planning through flawless execution
Lead catering operations for large-scale events ranging up to 12,000 guests
Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality service, food presentation, and guest experience
Collaborate cross-functionally with culinary, sales, and operations teams
Recruit, train, and lead a large team of hourly staff and supervisors
Develop staffing plans aligned with event volume and complexity
Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance
Develop and manage event budgets, forecasts, and cost controls
Oversee ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships
Drive profitability while maintaining quality and operational efficiency
Monitor KPIs and implement improvements for performance
Partner with clients to understand vision and ensure expectations are exceeded
Provide detailed event planning, timelines, and execution strategies
Act as a senior point of contact during high-profile events