Job Description

Join Sodexo’s Culinary Talent Community – Catering Directors

Washington DC | Sodexo Corporate Services

Are you a catering leader who thrives in fast‑paced environments, loves innovating, and is passionate about creating unforgettable event experiences? Sodexo Corporate Services is building a team of top-tier Catering Directorsto support our expanding presence across high‑profile corporate accounts in Washington DC —and we want to connect with you!

This is not tied to one specific role. Instead, it’s your chance to join a community of experienced, forward‑thinking Catering Directors who are eager to grow their careers within one of the world’s most respected hospitality and food service organizations.

Incentives

M-F 6am to 4pm with some evenings and weekends

What You'll Do

The Director of Catering is responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale catering events, ensuring seamless delivery from initial client engagement through post-event evaluation. This role oversees budgeting, staffing, logistics, and operational execution while driving profitability and maintaining exceptional service standards.

Event Leadership & Execution

• Oversee full event lifecycle from detailed planning through flawless execution
• Lead catering operations for large-scale events ranging up to 10,000 guests
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality service, food presentation, and guest experience
• Collaborate cross-functionally with culinary, sales, and operations teams

Team Management

• Recruit, train, and lead a large team of hourly staff and supervisors
• Develop staffing plans aligned with event volume and complexity
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage event budgets, forecasts, and cost controls
• Oversee ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships
• Drive profitability while maintaining quality and operational efficiency
• Monitor KPIs and implement improvements for performance

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with clients to understand vision and ensure expectations are exceeded
• Provide detailed event planning, timelines, and execution strategies
• Act as a senior point of contact during high-profile events

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• 5–10+ years of catering or hospitality leadership experience, with a strong focus on large-scale events
• Proven experience executing events for 5,000–10,000+ guests
• Demonstrated success managing large hourly teams in high-volume environments
• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
• Experience with event detailing, logistics planning, and operational execution
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience – 5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience – 5 years