Director of Catering

Join our team as a Catering Director at Thompson Hospitality Restaurant Group! As the Catering Director for the Restaurant Group, you'll be at the forefront of planning, executing, and overseeing all catering operations. This key role includes strategic planning, client relations, menu development, event coordination, and team management. You'll play a vital part in delivering exceptional catering services for campus events, meetings, and special occasions. If you're passionate about creating memorable culinary experiences and are ready to lead a dynamic team, we welcome you to join our college community. Your role as Catering Director will have a significant impact on our campus.

• Develop and implement a strategic catering plan, aligning with organizational goals, target markets, pricing strategies, and promotions to boost catering business growth.
• Cultivate strong client relationships via effective communication, understanding needs, and ensuring client satisfaction throughout the catering process.
• Customize catering menus for various events while maintaining high-quality food presentation and taste.
• Coordinate all aspects of catering events, including logistics, staffing, and ensuring seamless execution.
• Manage the catering budget efficiently, monitor financial performance, and make data-driven decisions for enhanced profitability and efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• 3 – 5 years catering/event management experience.
• Expertise in menu diversity and cost-effective food presentation.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Proficient in budget management and vendor negotiation.
• Previous experience in a college or university dining facility is preferred.

Who We Are: 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a proud historically Black university with a rich legacy of academic excellence, community engagement, and cultural heritage. Located on Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, we’re more than just a campus—we’re a close-knit community driven by purpose and passion. At UMES, we believe in empowering our students and supporting our team members. When you join us, you're not just taking a job—you're becoming part of a mission to inspire, uplift, and lead the next generation.

Thompson Hospitality is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities.  We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more. https://www.thompsonhospitality.com/

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.