Catering Manager

Starting at $63,000 annually / based on experience

Schedule varies based on different events happening within the community

Please submit your application by 4:00 PM MST on December 24, 2025 

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Food Services, oversees all aspects of service at catered events. Responsible for the daily operations of the Catering department including but not limited to event and menu planning, decorating, scheduling, and other administrative tasks. Participates in and oversees work of the wait staff in providing high quality, formal service to residents, guests, and staff members of Royal Oaks in all the dining areas and catered events.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the planning and execution of events for residents, guests, and staff members.  
• Helps implement and manage catering software tracking system for ordering, analyzing events, costing, and staffing levels. Use an effective tracking sheet that is submitted weekly and when new/canceled events are updated. Fill out tracking sheet completely.
• Responsible for being available to the residents, guests, and/or staff members at all times during the event. Check in with the events point of contact periodically during the event. Assist the service staff as needed. 
• Receives and responds to feedback of catered events within 24 hours to the event’s point of contact. 
• Responsible for the appearance, cleanliness and proper setup of the catered event before and during the event. Assist in the setup, execution and breakdown of special events. Inspect and maintain table set ups for cleanliness and neatness. 
• Work with the event’s point of contact to determine how many people are attending each event and what type of seating they would like. Design a room layout to meet their needs.
• Coordinate any entertainment needs, including but not limited to having a dance floor available and/or setting up equipment for audio visual presentations during the event. 
• Work with both the Food Service kitchen staff and the events point of contact to choose a proper menu. Have a list of food and beverage options with pricing available. 
• Ensures adequate staffing for catering events while controlling labor and overtime costs. Responsible for inputting staff members’ time and attendance and proper allocation of working catering events.
• Ensures a high quality of customer service, teamwork, and responsiveness addressing and resolving resident, guests, and staff member issues. Integration and communication with all departments, with an emphasis on customer service.
•  Ensures that appropriate sanitation, organization, and safety standards are met.
• Implements standard work procedures and duties for the catering staff on proper use of catering operations such as setting up, serving, cleaning duties, and tearing down of events. Responsible for verifying staff has the proper event schedule, information for the event, and equipment used to perform the event. 
• Inventories all catering items and assists with ordering items from Purchasing. Ensures “Pars” are maintained.
• Creates and manages the Catering budget while meeting budget guidelines. Prepare final budget documents with justification for the Associate Director of Food Service, Food Service Director, and CFOs approval. Required to manage the department within the approved annual Catering budget.
• Prepare, costs, and distribute the function sheets, invoices for proper allocation for all special events to the various areas in Food Service and update any necessary changes as needed. Completes follow up on all catering events within 48 hours of the event with all departments involved. 
• Ability to discuss 2 to 3 weeks of upcoming special functions at weekly manager meetings. Information provided should include, but is not limited to, menu, number of attendees, special requests and service staff needs. Have weekly meetings with the Chefs to discuss upcoming events and ensure there is clear communication.
• Develop Catering book and keep current with pricing and a variety of seasonal offerings for resident and in house selection.
• Maintain cleanliness and good condition of all catering equipment. Storage areas must be clean and organized. Keep adequate inventory of utensils, small wares, and linen to meet the needs of a variety of special functions.
• Keep other Food Service management team members promptly and fully informed of all matters of significance. Makes recommendations to the Food Service management team regarding catering events and dining room service affecting the service staff, residents and guests.
• Required to operate/drive a golf cart for the purpose of transporting supplies around campus as needed. This may also include transporting employees, residents and/or guests when needed. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Actively engages in new employee selection, interviewing, hiring and ensuring that initial and ongoing training/orientation programs are in place. 
• Follows the organization’s Human Resources procedures with employee interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, delivering corrective action, evaluating performance and termination. This list is not all inclusive and you are encouraged to consult with Human Resources with any questions or concerns.
• Addresses and resolves complaints and problems and coordinates with Human Resources any actions related to discipline and termination.
• Develop and maintain a high level of staff morale and motivation, allowing for opportunities of learning and growth. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of event planning and catering requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of food hygiene and understanding of Maricopa County Food regulations, sanitation guidelines and safety compliance. 
• Extensive knowledge of catering and food and beverage service in a dining environment.
• Knowledge of electronic catering management systems.
• Is highly proficient with Microsoft Word/Excel, Outlook and other catering software. 
• Excellent organization and time management skills, ability to multi-task, think creatively, and adapt to different situations.
• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions under high pressure circumstances.
• Flexible to work during evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Strong attention to details and meeting deadlines.
• Must be able to complete training on computer and/or other devices.
• Maintain competency in the position and knowledge of trade/industry advances and new technologies.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English with all levels of staff, residents, and guests. 

Education and Experience:

• Preferably has a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Has a minimum of three years of experience in hiring, training and overseeing service staff.
• Has a minimum of three years of experience as a Catering Manager, Restaurant Manager, or similar supervisory role. 
• Has a minimum of three years of experience in catering, upscale dining table service, and food service cost management that would ensure the effective execution of the duties of the job. 

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Obtains a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate in compliance with Maricopa County guidelines within 90 days of employment. If the CFPM is not obtained within the first 30 days, must obtain a Maricopa County food handlers card. 
• Has a current, valid driver’s license. Driving record must meet the criteria set forth by Royal Oaks’ insurance carrier.  
• Has current and valid Fingerprint clearance card or apply for one within 20 days of hire.
• If applicable, has a Certificate of Completion for memory care services training or obtains within 30 days of hire and complies with annual certification requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Is able to carry/lift/push/pull up to 30 pounds.
• May need to operate a fire extinguisher.
• Is able to assist in evacuation procedures. 
• See additional Physical/Cognitive Requirements & Work Environment information below.

Essential Functions:

• Physical: kneeling, lifting/moving, carrying/transporting, walking/traversing or moving, bending, reaching forward and above shoulder level, pulling, pushing, fine manipulation (pen, using a mouse), twisting, stooping
• Cognitive: directing others, written and oral communication, work under time constraints, concentrate amid distractions, ensure accuracy of details, creativity, remember names and details, problem solve, work rapidly, examine/observe details, work within minimal errors, reason (make sense of things)
• Working Environment: inside, working with others, working around others

Hiring Process:

• Pre-employment Drug Screening
• Criminal Background Check
• Adult Protective Services (APS) Registry Check
• Fingerprint Clearance Card 
• Employment Verification
• TB Testing
• Royal Oaks is a Drug Free Workplace. Royal Oaks conducts pre-employment, random and reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with its drug-free workplace policy. Royal Oaks' general hiring policy does not discriminate against registered medical marijuana cardholders. However, in accordance with A.R.S. 23-493.06 Royal Oaks may decline to employ or to continue to employ persons in safety-sensitive positions based on the results of drug testing.
• Royal Oaks does not discriminate in hiring or employment against holders of Arizona's Medical Marijuana card, although we do prohibit marijuana use on premise.   Although Arizona has legalized recreational marijuana use as well as medical use, the law creates no employment protections for applicants or employees who are recreational marijuana users.  Royal Oaks will require a drug screen for all applicants who accept a job offer and may decline those applicants who are positive for marijuana without a Medical Marijuana card.  Royal Oaks will continue to prohibit all employees from using, selling, possessing, or being impaired by marijuana in the workplace and while on duty.

Incredible Benefits!

• Get Health Benefits Fast – Medical, dental, vision benefits start the first day after the month you're hired! (Full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Access to mental health support, legal counseling, financial coaching, and more through Talkspace and other resources.
• Choice of Two Affordable Medical Plans – Starting as low as $66/ paycheck for employee-only coverage (Full-time only). 
• On-Campus Medical Providers – Convenient healthcare options right at your workplace.
• Six Annual Paid Holidays – Enjoy time off to recharge with paid holidays throughout the year.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) – Start accruing PTO from day one, with up to 3 weeks in your first year (Full-time only).
• Cash in Unused PTO Hours – Convert unused PTO into cash (limits and details apply).
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO) – Get 4 hours of paid VTO annually to give back to your community, without using your PTO.
• Referral Bonus – Earn up to $600 for each friend you refer who gets hired – and there’s no limit to how many people you can refer!
• Scholarship Program – Receive up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement to support your educational goals.
• Career Growth Opportunities – We promote from within! Last year, we proudly promoted over 30 employees.
• FREE Fitness Center Access – Stay healthy with on-site gym facilities or enjoy gym reimbursement up to $200 annually.
• Annual Shoe Reimbursement – Get up to $40 annually for work shoes to keep you comfortable and stylish.
• Uniform & Reimbursement – Uniforms provided or reimbursed for many positions.
• Covered Parking – Convenient parking at no extra cost.
• Employee Meal Discount – Enjoy 20% off meals while at work.
• Free Starbucks Coffee – Fuel up with free Starbucks coffee anytime!
• Exclusive Employee Discount Program – Save big on travel, electronics, entertainment, and more!
• Retirement Plan with Matching – Save for the future with a retirement plan offering 4%-10% matching contributions.

Royal Oaks Awards:

2024 Senior Care's Best Places to Work from WeCare Connect 

2022 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award / Top 25 'Best in Wellness' Senior Living Communities in North America

Disclaimer: This job posting is intended as a general summary of duties and responsibilities. A comprehensive job description is available upon request.