"Catering Coordinator"

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration? Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Catering Coordinator is a role that supports Crimson Catering & Event Services, which reports to the Catering Sales Manager. Responsible for but not limited to, the menu planning and detailing for various conferences and social engagements, as well as daily catering requests. Responsible for ensuring high standards of service and customer satisfaction are consistently achieved.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Responsible for detailing events as assigned by the Manager, including selecting and customizing specialty menus, event set up details, rental requirement needs, master calendars and staffing with minimal supervision.
• Primary area of concentration will include, but not limited to, conference planning, university wide events and social events.
• Acts as point person for clients as assigned by Manager. Represents Crimson Catering and HUDS to faculty, staff, student and guests in a professional manner.
• Oversee all aspects of onsite event execution, inclusive of set up, service, and cleanup for events as assigned based on levels of business.
• Gathers and maintains data and assists in preparing reports often using a variety of computer software, including Triple Seat, Momentus, Social Tables, Word and Excel.
• Provides for smooth day to day flow of communications within Crimson Catering & Event Services Department. This includes communicating the vision of the clients to the Events and Kitchen teams, creating well thought out events and menus based on the needs of clients, focusing on Crimson Catering style events.
• Professionally communicate with clients via written communication accurately and consistently.
• Ensure establishment, communication, and compliance of appropriate sanitation and safety standards.
• Positively interacts with clients and maintains effective client and customer relations at all levels within the clients department or organization.
• Keep abreast of and advise client, customers, and staff on current catering & event trend products.
• Supports the needs of a diverse work environment.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Manager.

Physical Requirements:

• Continuous: sitting, manual dexterity
• Frequent: walking
• Occasional: standing, bending, lifting, push/pulling, reaching, handling, climbing, squatting

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Some experience and related sales experience with an off-premise caterer, hotel, collegiate, or corporate caterer.
• Proficiency in Triple Seat, Momentus, Social Tables or similar catering booking software, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and ability to learn new software applications as needed.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrated creativity in developing menus and presentation for simple to complex catered events.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Strong communication (verbal, written, interpersonal) skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Good professional judgment and ability to independently make sound business decisions.
• Skilled at addressing a variety situations and negotiating successful outcomes with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Must be adaptable to a frequently changing environment and ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Works professionally, ethically and with integrity. Upholds the vision and mission of HUDS and the University.
• A passion for food and knowledge of current food trends is a plus.

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Drug Test

Emergency Status Designation: University Essential Personnel

Work Format Details: This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges: This position is salary grade level 053. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits: Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Generous paid time off including parental leave; Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one; Retirement plans with university contributions; Wellbeing and mental health resources; Support for families and caregivers; Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement; Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks. Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.