Skip to main content

This job has expired

Assistant Director of Dining Services, Catering

Employer
Washington and Lee University
Location
Lexington, Virginia, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Aug 9, 2024

Job Details

The Assistant Director for Catering coordinates and oversees service of all catering events. Builds additional catering business opportunities, especially in relation to the marketing of summer programs, corporate events, and weddings. The Assistant Director is responsible for all catered functions from origination to execution in a department where the annual managed volume is around 2.5 million dollars. Responsible for creating a strategic plan that enhances W&L Dining Services, sharing this vision with Dining Leadership teams and implementing within the catering department. Develops systems, including standard operating procedures, conducive to growth, innovation, and excellence in customer service. The Assistant Director collaborates with the Catering Executive Chef and works with this position to ensure the Catering Guide is balanced, priced effectively and is easy for clients to understand. In addition, the Assistant Director has the ability to use high levels of creativity in event planning and execution. Coordinates the smooth execution of all catered events by serving as support to the Catering Management and Events Lead teams.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Visit jobs.wlu.edu to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, community, and living in the area.

Essential Functions:
  • Manages catering operations through direction of operations management and employees for catering Dining Services operations. Evaluates catered function setup, supervises catered events and follows up with client to ensure that expectations are met.

  • Partners with other Dining Assistant Directors over Retail/Board operations as large events arise.

  • Supervises and quality controls work of the Catering Sales Coordinator to ensure prompt planning and input of data into Catertrax so menu creation, setups and scheduling can be carried out in advance.

  • Develops and implements a strategic plan to grow revenue and increase staff efficiency.

  • Works with the Director of Dining Services to strategically plan for a fiscally sound department, excellent customer service and effective staff development.

  • Oversees department cash handling and verification of all sales and proper reporting for all interested parties. Ensures that all deposits and billing are completed in a timely manner. Monitors financial statements, and ensures payroll is in-line with revenue and all purchases are justified.

  • Maintains documentation to support agreed-upon financial arrangements for events. Reiterates, in contract form, all specified details concerning upcoming catering events. Establishes and maintains accurate event planning documents.

  • Increases employee effectiveness through personal and delegated efforts by recruiting, selecting, orientating, training, coaching and developing staff; communicating values, strategies and objectives; assigning accountable tasks; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and suggestions; and providing and participating in educational opportunities.

  • Evaluates direct-report subordinate employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with department standard operating procedures, university policies, and applicable law. Responsibilities include being visible in Evans and at events, planning, assigning and directing work; addressing complaints and grievances, and resolving problems; and conducts follow up reviews to measure and address direction-compliance, task assignment completion, as well as meeting expectations and desired outcomes.

  • Supports proper methods of utilizing food management software for recipes, production forecasts, procurement, and post-service activities and ensures catering staff support same systems by following recipes and completion of production records.

  • Ensures compliance with all state of Virginia, University and department rules, laws and regulations in regard to use of alcoholic beverages. Complies with all Virginia ABC policies. Oversees the purchases of alcoholic beverages, and that we are following ABC and University guidelines. Coordinates regularly scheduled T.I.P.S. bartender training.

  • Works with Dining Services leadership to ensure departmental unity is evident through teamwork and collaboration. Promotes positive relations among students, the Washington & Lee community and broader Lexington community.

  • Assists with management of dining services operations as needed, e.g. to cover sick-call outs and other special functions or events.

  • Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred in related field.

  • 3-5 years of supervisory experience in hospitality industry. Experience in college catering, marketing and or related experience preferred.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and effective written and oral communication skills are required.

  • Ability to work “flex” schedule based on catering calendar.

  • Experience in budget management and familiarity with accounting procedures is preferred.

  • Must have strong attention to detail, exceptional time-management skills, strong communication, management, and administrative skills.

  • Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality.

  • Database management, thorough knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is expected. Experience using or ability to learn CaterTrax is expected.

  • Must actively use and maintain voice mail and e-mail. General understanding of client-server computing and networking is preferred.

  • Must have and maintain a valid Virginia drivers license.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume and cover letter are required. Please upload these documents when prompted on the application form. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Application instructions are at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities .

Physical Requirements
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

  • Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

  • Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.

  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Working Conditions:
  • The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

  • The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

  • The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

Type of Work: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay:

$71,761.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

Washington and Lee affirms that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities. As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive dialogue.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Company

About W&L
Washington and Lee University is a nationally ranked, private liberal arts institution located in
Lexington, Virginia. W&L integrates the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts
curriculum with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism, and
a graduate School of Law. Our academic units are strengthened by meaningful collaborations,
all in the service of the university’s mission.

With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,860, our small size enables students to
find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L is committed to
institutional citizenship. We regard liberal arts education as an important public good, of value
not only to our students and alumni, but also to the larger communities in which we live.

Our Mission
W&L provides a liberal arts education that develops students’ capacity to think freely, critically,
and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates will be
prepared for lifelong learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others,
and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.

Our Community
W&L is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. and is located in the scenic
Shenandoah Valley. We are a modern university located on a beautiful and historically
significant campus.

Our most valuable asset is the quality of our vibrant and welcoming community. Our faculty are
devoted teachers and scholars who uphold the highest academic standards and take a personal
interest in the lives of their students. Our staff takes pride in knowing that each individual
makes important contributions to the success of the university. Our alumni are extraordinarily
loyal and generous to their alma mater.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion affirms that diverse perspectives and
backgrounds enhance our community. The university is committed to the recruitment,
enrichment, and retention of faculty and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points
of view, interests, and identities.


 

 

Company info
Website

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert