Catering Service Manager (10007970)

Position Summary:

The Catering Service Manager provides strategic
and hands-on leadership for front-of-house catering operations, ensuring the flawless execution of high-end events. This role directs
service teams, collaborates closely with Culinary, Sales, and Event Planning partners, and ensures every event reflects the organization’s
premium brand standards. The ideal candidate is a dynamic hospitality leader with strong operational discipline, exceptional service
instincts, and a passion for delivering memorable guest experiences at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Execution & Service Leadership

• Provide on-site leadership for catered events ranging from intimate
  private meals to large-scale university-wide functions.
• Direct, coach, and supervise service teams, including captains, servers,
  bartenders, and support personnel.
• Ensure impeccable service standards, timing, presentation, and attention to detail at every
  event.
• Conduct pre-event briefings and post-event evaluations to drive continuous improvement.
• Cultivate strong working
  relationships with third-party staffing partners to ensure consistent service excellence.

Client Experience & Relationship
Management

• Serve as the senior on-site representative and primary client contact during events.
• Anticipate guest
  needs, proactively address challenges, and resolve issues with professionalism and urgency.
• Uphold and protect the University’s
  brand reputation through white-glove hospitality and flawless execution.

Operational Excellence

• Develop and
  manage service schedules for University staff and contracted waitstaff.
• Oversee event setup, service flow, breakdown, and post-event
  reconciliation processes.
• Partner with Culinary, Sales, and Logistics teams to ensure seamless coordination and
  execution.
• Manage labor deployment to meet budgeted targets while maintaining premium service standards.
• Ensure compliance
  with food safety, alcohol service, and workplace safety regulations.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, and
  mentor high-performing service professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, hospitality, teamwork, and continuous
  improvement.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development.

Financial &
Administrative Oversight

• Monitor labor costs and support event profitability goals.
• Approve timesheets and ensure
  payroll accuracy.
• Contribute to departmental budgeting and forecasting processes.

Supervisory
Relationships:

This position reports to the Assistant Director, Catering Operations.

The Catering Operations
Manager directly supervises:

• Contracted waitstaff
• Hourly non-exempt employees
• Student
  employees

Education and Certifications:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor’s
  degree preferred, ideally in Hospitality, Hotel/Restaurant Management, or a related field
• ServSafe certification required within
  three months of hire (renewal every five years)
• ABC alcohol service permit required (or obtained within one week of
  hire)
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record required
• The University engages a third-party vendor for
  continuous motor vehicle record monitoring

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of three (3) years of
  relevant hospitality experience; prior Banquet or Service Manager experience preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year of off-premise
  catering experience preferred, including loading/unloading and driving delivery vehicles
• Ability to drive a golf cart and
  medium-sized box truck, with a clean driving history
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong leadership, supervisory,
  and people management skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service in high-pressure
  environments
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Strong organizational,
  time management, and multitasking abilities with keen attention to detail
• Proven ability to manage confidential information and
  safeguard University assets
• Professional, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset

Physical Demands and Work
Environment:

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and works effectively both independently and as part of a
  team
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours as needed
• Ability to lift up
  to 50 lbs. and frequently lift, push, pull, or carry up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform
  frequent bending, stretching, twisting, and lifting
• Ability to frequently lift and transport hot food equipment (including hotboxes
  up to 200 lbs.) on and off box trucks and at event locations

This is a full-time, exempt leadership position requiring a high
degree of professional judgment, operational oversight, and schedule flexibility. The role is event-driven and demands responsiveness to
dynamic business needs.

The Catering Operations Manager can expect a typical workweek of 40-50 hours, with flexibility required based
on event schedules. This includes availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as necessary to ensure seamless event
execution. Work locations may vary depending on event sites and operational needs.

Required Skills

• Catering
  – VU
• Cooking – VU
• Culinary Presentation – VU
• Customer Support – VU
• Dietary Restriction Management –
  VU
• Food Quality Assurance And Control – VU
• Inventory Control – VU
• Kitchen Management – VU
• Process
  Improvement – VU
• Sanitation – VU
• Service Improvement – VU

About Us

At Vanderbilt University , our work – regardless of title or role – is
in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on
a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre
campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud
to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by
Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives
to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work
and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might
become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability,
or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Info

• Job Identification
  10007970
• Posting Date 03/04/2026, 04:27 PM
• Locations Nashville, TN, United States
• Job Schedule Full time
• Job Category University Operations
• Job Function Catering
• Management Level Management 1

Tagged as: Employment