Senior Event Operations Director
About The Position
The Senior Catering Operations Director leads the catering operations teams that execute all convention and group activity across all Catering regions, including resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, delivering excellent customer and client satisfaction. The role executes strategic and tactical initiatives that support the annual business plan and partners closely with Finance to evaluate revenue, profitability, and capital planning. This position regularly engages with external clients and internal partners to build, manage, and enhance key relationships within the Group and Convention business. The Senior Catering Operations Director will report directly to the Director of Catering Food & Beverage. This is a Full-Time role.
Requirements
- 5+ years experience in Catering, Conventions, or other relevant event or Food & Beverage operations
- Proven inspirational leadership experience with the ability to develop and succession-plan high‑performance salaried and hourly teams
- Strong understanding of Food & Beverage catering logistics, menu design, food and beverage quality assurance, and food safety
- Ability to optimize financial performance through efficient labor and expense management
- Experience developing financial forecasts and budgets, with the ability to interpret financial results
- Strong knowledge of inventory management practices
- Ability to influence thinking and apply complex strategies
- Strong understanding of the STCU contract
- Experience leading process improvement projects and applying root cause analysis methodologies
- Strong knowledge of quality measurements and project management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional relationship‑building skills with the ability to partner cross‑functionally at all levels
- Strong attention to detail
- Proficiency with email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to understand emerging and current technologies supporting group business lines
Nice To Haves
- Proven career experience within the Group and Convention business or industry
- Knowledge of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company organizational structure
- Experience managing process improvement projects
- Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, or equivalent experience
Responsibilities
- Execute strategic and tactical initiatives that support the annual business plan
- Partner with Finance to ensure appropriate revenue and profitability metrics are used to evaluate the business and develop the annual Capital Planning budget
- Manage guest and client standards and measurements to ensure consistent, world-class service
- Interact regularly with external clients and internal partners to create, manage, and enhance key Group and Convention business relationships
- Serve as an active member of the Walt Disney World Catering Line of Business Leadership Team
- Oversee and lead salaried and hourly O&T Cast Members across catering operations
- Lead implementation of operating policies and procedures, food safety compliance, and regulatory compliance
- Optimize financial performance through effective labor and expense resource allocation
- Support inventory management to meet financial and client requirements
- Lead and manage process improvement initiatives, including root cause analysis and project management
- Work various shifts within a 24/7 operation, including weekends and holidays
Benefits
- health and savings benefits
- educational opportunities
- special extras that only Disney can provide
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
