Assistant Director of F&B - Catering | Events & Venue Operations
5 days ago
Syracuse
Job Description We are seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Food & Beverage – Catering to help lead catering, banquet, and event operations within a high-volume hospitality and entertainment venue in Syracuse, NY. This role combines hands-on operational leadership, financial management, team development, client service, and large-scale event execution. The ideal candidate has experience managing catered events, banquets, entertainment venues, convention facilities, hotels, or comparable high-volume food and beverage operations. Key Responsibilities • Lead the planning and execution of catering, banquet, and large-scale events, • Coordinate staffing, scheduling, purchasing, ordering, setup, service, and post-event follow-up, • Support menu development and food & beverage programming based on event and client needs, • Manage budgets, forecasts, revenue, expenses, and departmental financial performance, • Monitor sales, labor, event volume, and operating costs to improve efficiency and profitability, • Maintain high standards for service, presentation, food quality, and guest experience, • Ensure compliance with food safety, alcohol service, health, and workplace safety requirements, • Lead, coach, and develop food & beverage managers and hourly team members, • Support hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, and employee development, • Manage labor planning and adjust staffing based on event volume and business demands, • Coordinate with temporary and supplemental staffing partners as needed, • Partner with culinary, operations, sales, finance, HR, and event teams, • Assist with vendor relationships, purchasing, and contract-related needs, • Participate in event planning meetings and contribute to operational strategy, • Identify opportunities to increase catering and food & beverage revenue, • Build strong relationships with clients and support account development, • Maintain operational readiness of service areas, facilities, and equipment Qualifications • 5+ years of progressive hospitality or food & beverage management experience, • Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, Food & Beverage Management, or related field preferred, • Experience in catering, banquets, events, hotels, convention centers, entertainment venues, or other high-volume hospitality environments strongly preferred, • Proven experience leading complex food & beverage operations and large-scale events, • Strong knowledge of P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and cost controls, • Experience with POS, inventory, scheduling, and standard business software, • Knowledge of purchasing, vendor management, and contract negotiations, • Union or structured labor environment experience is a plus, • Strong leadership, communication, organization, and team-development skills, • Ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously, • Strong financial and business acumen, • Guest-focused approach with a commitment to service excellence, • Ability to work evenings, weekends, early mornings, and holidays based on event schedules Work Environment This is an on-site, high-volume event and hospitality position requiring active involvement during event execution. The Assistant Director should be comfortable: • Standing and walking for extended periods, • Working in fast-paced event environments, • Moving between office, event, service, and operational areas, • Working indoors and outdoors when required, • Occasionally lifting or moving items up to approximately 50 pounds, • Using POS systems, computers, and standard office equipment\nCompany Description The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed. The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.