Operations Manager (Catering / Hospitality)

Operations Manager

Hospitality & Events

Potomac Hospitality Group   |   Bowie, MD

Full Time  | Up to 20% Performance Bonus  |  Full Benefits  |  Path to Director of Operations

At Potomac Hospitality Group, the Operations Manager is the connective tissue of the entire company. You are the person who keeps our compliance airtight, our platforms current, our vendors coordinated, our team supported, and our communications flowing — across a growing hospitality management company that serves everyone from government agencies to film production companies to embassy dining rooms.

This is a role for someone who has seen how hospitality operations work from the inside — whether in a hotel, a catering company, a restaurant group, or a food service organization — and is ready to own a function, not just support one.

And for the right person, this role has a clear, defined path to Director of Operations within two years. We are building something at PHG, and we want the person who runs our operations to grow with us.

  Come in as Operations Manager. Build toward Director of Operations. Grow with PHG.  

ABOUT POTOMAC HOSPITALITY GROUP

Potomac Hospitality Group is a full-service hospitality management company with over 10 years of experience delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences across the Metro DC region and beyond. We serve corporate clients, government agencies, educational institutions, film and production companies, and private clients.

We operate across three lanes: high-end offsite event catering, institutional food service, and our restaurant subsidiary. Our events range from intimate private dinners to 400-person galas to craft services on film sets. Our clients include some of the most recognized names in government, business, and culture.

We are a growing company with 43 team members, a full benefits package, and a leadership team that invests in the people who invest in us.

Connecting people. Creating impact. One extraordinary experience at a time.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

You have worked in hospitality, food service, or events long enough to understand how operations actually work — the systems, the pace, the compliance requirements, the vendor relationships, and the detail that separates a smooth event from a chaotic one.

You are not looking for a job where someone tells you what to do every day. You are looking for a role where you own something, build something, and grow into something bigger.

Your Background Likely Looks Like One of These

• Hotel operations, catering sales coordination, or banquet/event administration — you know the rhythm of event-driven work and you’ve managed the operational details that make events run
• Restaurant group or multi-unit food service operations — you’ve managed scheduling, vendor relationships, compliance, and team communications across a fast-moving operation
• Hospitality management graduate with 3–5 years of operational experience — you studied the industry and have been building real-world skills since
• Food service operations coordinator with institutional or government contract experience — you understand compliance, documentation, and multi-stakeholder communication

Regardless of Background, You Are

• An owner, not a supporter — your responsibilities are yours completely and you treat them that way
• A finisher — tasks get closed completely and correctly, every time
• Systems-minded — you build processes that work and maintain them without being asked
• Tech-comfortable — you learn platforms quickly and manage data with accuracy
• Warm and professional — you communicate clearly with everyone from team members to vendors to leadership
• Ready to grow — you are not looking for a ceiling, you are looking for a runway

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

Platform & Menu Management

PHG operates across five platforms simultaneously. You own the accuracy and currency of all of them.

• Manage and update menu data across Tripleseat, Toast, 7Shifts, and the PHG website
• Ensure menu changes, pricing updates, and event-specific content are reflected accurately and promptly across all systems
• Coordinate with culinary and events leadership to capture updates in real time
• Serve as the internal point of contact for platform issues and resolutions

Operations & Communications

• Coordinate internal communications between leadership and team members across all PHG operations
• Manage external communications with vendors, partners, and operational contacts
• Support executive leadership with scheduling, correspondence, and day-to-day operational needs
• Ensure information flows clearly, accurately, and on time across the organization

Vendor Coordination

• Manage day-to-day relationships with vendors, suppliers, and service providers
• Track vendor contracts, agreements, and renewal timelines
• Coordinate ordering, delivery, and vendor communications in support of event and operational needs

Compliance & Licensing

• Own PHG’s master compliance calendar — all licenses, permits, certifications, and insurance renewals
• Manage business licenses and permits across Maryland and DC
• Track and renew health permits, catering permits, ServSafe certifications, and regulatory registrations
• Manage annual memberships and vendor registrations
• Coordinate business insurance policies including vehicle, workers’ comp, and umbrella coverage

HR & Team Support

• Manage job postings, resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communications
• Lead onboarding for new team members — system access, welcome materials, and orientation
• Maintain employee records and HR documentation in ADP
• Support performance evaluation processes, incident reporting, and offboarding procedures
• Coordinate team engagement activities and employee recognition initiatives

Event Operations Support

• Support scheduling and administrative coordination for catering and hospitality events
• Ensure event documentation, contracts, and permits are organized and compliant
• Coordinate internal communications between leadership, kitchen, and event teams

YOUR GROWTH PATH

This role is designed to evolve. For the right person — someone who demonstrates ownership, operational excellence, and leadership over time — the Operations Manager position has a defined path to Director of Operations within two years.

As Director of Operations, you will move from owning the administrative and compliance infrastructure to overseeing the full operational strategy of PHG — people, systems, vendor relationships, and the operational backbone that supports every lane of the business.

We are not looking for someone to fill a seat. We are looking for someone ready to help lead where PHG goes next.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5 years of experience in hospitality operations, hotel administration, catering coordination, restaurant group operations, or food service management
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple operational responsibilities simultaneously without dropping details
• Experience with platforms such as Tripleseat, Toast, 7Shifts, ADP, or similar hospitality and HR systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you communicate clearly with everyone from kitchen staff to executive leadership
• Undergraduate degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field preferred — equivalent experience considered
• Familiarity with food service compliance, licensing, or permit management a strong advantage
• Must be able to pass a Level II background check

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive Salary
• Up to 20% performance bonus
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• A defined path to Director of Operations for the right candidate
• A company that measures success by the growth of its people
• Support performance evaluation processes, incident reporting, and offboarding procedures
• Coordinate team engagement activities, leadership retreats, and employee recognition initiatives
• Support employee benefits programs and wellness initiatives