Corporate Director, Catering & Events Operations

Job Title: Corporate Director, Catering & Events Operations Location: Remote, within CA, WA, ID, UT, AZ, CO, NM, TX, OK, SD, MN, WI, IL, IN, MO, MI, AR, KS, LA, TN, AL, OH, KY, FL, GA, SC, NC, MD, DL, PA, NY, MA, RI, CN, NJ Department: Catering & Events Required Travel: 25%+ Reports to: Vice President, Catering & Events Number of Salaried Reports: 4+      Revenue Oversight: $11,000,000+     WHO ARE WE SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.  SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love and dedication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve, deserve it. JOB SUMMARY The Corporate Director, Operations: Catering & Events acts as a strategic leader and bridge to the VP of Catering & Events, leading and developing the District Manager (DM), Catering Operations team and acts as the operational counterpart to the Corporate Director, Sales Operations: Catering & Events. Together, these roles drive cohesive business outcomes across sales effectiveness, operational excellence, partner relations, financial performance, and guest experience. This leader ensures every catering and events operation meets (and exceeds) SSA standards for execution, culinary delivery, guest satisfaction, safety, and brand alignment across all units. The Director drives innovation, operational consistency, talent development, and long‑range strategy to support accelerated growth.   QUALIFICATIONS Vendor & Contract Management – Skilled in sourcing, negotiating, and managing vendor relationships to ensure quality, cost control, and seamless event execution. Culinary Partnership & Menu Strategy – Advanced knowledge of collaborating with culinary teams on menu design, costing, innovation, and quality assurance. Client Experience Leadership – Anticipates client needs, resolves issues, and sustains high guest satisfaction and service recovery standards. Event Logistics & Technical Execution – Extensive experience planning complex, multi‑phase events including AV coordination, staging, space planning, and flow management. Risk, Safety & Compliance Management – Deep knowledge of food safety, alcohol service compliance, sanitation, and event safety protocols; enforces standards across multiple units. Multi‑Unit Leadership & Change Management – Ability to implements consistent standards across diverse locations; leads teams through operational and cultural change. Hospitality Leadership Excellence – Demonstrates vision, emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to inspire high‑performing hospitality teams. Executive‑Level Communication & Collaboration – Communicates crisply with executives, unit partners, and cross‑functional teams to align goals and plans.   PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Minimum 9 years in catering or event operations with experience in off-site catering, unique venues, hotel or cultural attraction venue preferred.  A minimum of 9 years of experience is required for this position; however, candidates with 11 or more years of experience will be given stronger consideration. Minimum 5 years in a catering leadership position, preferably leading direct reports. ServSafe or Food Handling Certification is a plus. Working knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus. All education backgrounds are eligible. Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Management Lead, mentor, and develop a team of District Managers, Catering Operations, including performance evaluations, coaching, and long‑term professional development. Partner closely with the Corporate Director, Sales Operations: Catering & Events to ensure seamless alignment between sales commitments and operational execution. Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Oversee onboarding, training, and ongoing development for District Managers and unit‑level operations teams. Remove organizational barriers, enabling teams to execute efficiently and consistently. Collaborate with District Managers & General Managers on performance evaluations and corrective plans when needed for in-unit team members. Operational Intelligence Ensure all catering operations meet SSA standards for food quality, safety, sanitation, service, and presentation across all regions at the local, state and federal regulation levels. Oversee operational readiness for high‑volume, high‑profile, or complex events, including on‑site leadership when needed. Drive standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational playbooks, and continuous improvement systems across all units. Collaborate with culinary, procurement, and marketing to implement brand‑aligned menu strategy, production efficiencies, and cost‑control initiatives. Travel to units for large-scale or high-touch events, providing continued mentorship, relationship building, and ensuring the highest level of execution. Strategic Collaboration Serve as the operational counterpart and strategic partner to the Corporate Director, Sales Operations — ensuring sales strategies, lead pipelines, and client commitments translate to operational feasibility and excellence. Collaborate with cross‑functional partners in marketing, business development, culinary, retail, procurement, and finance to drive enterprise‑level initiatives. Provide direction in business development pitches related to execution capabilities, staffing models, or operational scope. Cultivate strong relationships with unit partners where standards need improvement. Financial Reporting and Analysis Oversee catering & events operational P&L across assigned districts, managing cost of goods, labor, and operational expenses to ensure profitability. Partner with Sales Operations to develop and execute district‑level and unit‑level revenue strategies. Review and analyze financial statements, forecasts, and event performance reports to identify opportunities for margin improvement. Ensure District Managers execute budgeting, forecasting, staffing plans, and inventory controls effectively. Innovation & Best Practices Drive innovation by establishing and implementing best practices. Promote sustainability and conservation efforts within the team. Engage in community efforts and drive initiatives that give back to the community. Performance Metrics Establish and track KPIs related to event execution quality, operational efficiency, safety, cost controls, and partner satisfaction. Ensure adherence to regulatory and safety compliance across all units. Lead operational audits, quality reviews, and risk‑mitigation plans. Use data to evaluate trends and drive operational decision‑making across districts. Innovation, Sustainability & Best Practices Drive innovation in catering operations, implementing best practices, technology enhancements, and operational systems. Champion sustainability, conservation, and community engagement initiatives across the catering operations portfolio. Lead continuous improvement projects aimed at elevating guest experience and operational performance. Social Responsibility & Culture Promote an inclusive, supportive environment across operations teams and partner locations. Ensure IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) principles guide leadership, hiring, development, and daily practice. Engage teams in community outreach and opportunities to give back. Other Responsibilities Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.   This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)    SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.     Don't meet every requirement? At SSA we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.   Compensation and Benefits Full-Time  Salary – based on range in consideration of relevant job experience and certification/education; if position is physically in Colorado or California, salary range will be posted above following EPFEW Act  Bonus eligible based on company guidelines Vacation or TAFW (time away from work) Plan – we want our team to take time as they need, so we don’t accrue hours but rather give you freedom to schedule within scope of the business and your needs  Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance; employee premiums applicable  Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave  Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on birthing event  (4) Week fully paid Parental leave following birth, adoption or foster event, can be coupled with Birthing Parent Plan to extend above timeline  401k program, eligible for enrollment after (1) year of employment Monthly cell phone stipend  Monthly milage stipend   SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.   All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").   San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.