What are the responsibilities and job description for the Catering Event Manager position at Rio Management?
Catering Event Manager
On-site & office · Client-facing · Evenings, weekends & holidays required
About the role
The Catering Event Manager owns the full lifecycle of a catering event from the moment a contract is signed to the moment the last table is broken down. You're the client's primary operational contact — the person they trust to translate their vision into a flawlessly executed event. You'll work across timelines, floor plans, vendor coordination, staffing, and on-site execution, managing multiple events simultaneously while maintaining the attention to detail each client deserves. This is a role for someone who thrives on logistics, genuinely enjoys client relationships, and takes personal ownership of every event they touch.
Key responsibilities
Planning & Coordination
- Take ownership of each event at contract handoff and manage it through to completion
- Conduct thorough planning meetings with clients to confirm details, set expectations, and build trust
- Develop detailed event timelines, floor plans, and staffing plans tailored to each event
- Source and coordinate rentals, outside vendors, and all event logistics
- Communicate event details clearly and in advance to operations, kitchen, and service teams
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date event documentation throughout the planning process
On-site execution
- Lead event setup, oversee service throughout the event, and manage breakdown at close
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the client on event day — address questions, concerns, and last-minute requests with confidence and composure
- Resolve on-site issues quickly and decisively while keeping the client experience unaffected
- Ensure all service standards are upheld throughout the event from first arrival to final departure
- Complete post-event reviews and reporting to support continuous improvement and client retention
Qualifications
- 2 YEARS of experience in event management, catering, or hospitality operations
- Proven ability to manage multiple events simultaneously without losing accuracy or composure
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills — you track every detail across every event in your book
- Strong client-facing communication skills — professional, warm, and reassuring under pressure
- Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays — events don't follow a standard work week
What success looks like
Events execute on time, on plan, and to the client's satisfaction every time
Clients leave feeling heard, supported, and confident they made the right choice
Event documentation is accurate, complete, and handed off cleanly at every stage
Operations and service teams are always fully briefed and prepared well ahead of event day
Clients return — and refer others
Where this role fits
Reports to: Catering Director
Works alongside: Catering Sales Manager — who secures the contract; you take it from there
Coordinates with: Operations teams, kitchen staff, service staff, vendors, and rental partners
Work Location: In person