Catering & Private Events Manager

Overview

At Thompson Hospitality, we deliver memorable dining and event experiences with a commitment to excellence, hospitality, and flawless execution. We're seeking a driven and dynamic Catering & Private Events Manager to support and grow a high-volume catering and private events program across multiple locations.

This role is on the front lines of the inquiry process and on-site at events, supporting high-quality events with responsiveness, precision, and professionalism. It is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality professional looking to grow into senior events or brand leadership roles, while actively building new business and long-term client relationships.

The Catering & Private Events Manager supports one or more brands in the sales and oversight of group dining, semi-private, private dining events, and catering across multiple restaurant locations in the DMV area, with a focus on both servicing inbound inquiries and proactively developing new business.

Responsibilities include prompt response to inquiries, attentive client interaction, clear written and verbal communication, event coordination, data administration, and overall delivery of exceptional guest experiences. This role requires flexibility, organization, and the ability to work across corporate offices and restaurant locations, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Client Management

• Support and manage the sales process for group dining, private events, and catering through prompt response, accurate data collection, and professional communication
• Serve as the primary point of contact for private dining and catering clients from inquiry through post-event follow-up
• Proactively pursue new catering and private events business through outreach, networking, and relationship-building
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate, social, and community clients to generate repeat and referral business
• Identify new market opportunities, accounts, and partnerships to expand the events pipeline
• Communicate opportunities, priorities, and needs to the Director in a timely manner

Event Planning & Execution

• Coordinate event details including menus, timelines, layouts, staffing, and logistics
• Arrange and lead client walkthroughs
• Act as on-site client liaison during events as needed
• Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to ensure seamless execution

Administrative & Financial Support

• Proactively and accurately update estimates, guarantees, and final bills
• Produce weekly and monthly reports
• Administer subcontracted vendors and contracts and ensure timely payment

Standards & Guest Experience

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
• Support guest satisfaction, repeat business, and referrals through attention to detail

Schedule & Work Environment

This position requires a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays based on event bookings. In-office and on-site work across multiple restaurant locations is required.

• 2+ years’ experience in hospitality, restaurants, catering, or hotels
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Strong customer service, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and prioritize under pressure
• Experience with Toast, Open Table, and Triple Seat a plus
• Serv Safe and/or alcohol service certification preferred

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k), matched up to 4%
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Pet Insurance
• Discounts:
  Hotels, Travel, Tickets, Restaurants
• Employees and their relatives are eligible for a discounted meal plan at any of our HBCU client locations while they are attending school

Thompson Hospitality is one of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.