Senior Leader, Catering

At Aramark, we empower our people to create moments that matter through exceptional hospitality experiences. We serve more than a dozen industries with pride and passion, building community, connection, and careers all around the world. 

You'll be surrounded by some of the most innovative minds in the industry and powered by our shared mission to pursue what matters. Here, you'll have the opportunity to do great things for our people, our planet, our partners and our communities. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and enable your growth. Supported by committed leadership, you'll be empowered to try new things and find solutions to tough problems. No matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is to help you reach your full potential and pursue what matters.

The Senior Leader, Catering & Events is a key senior leader within our organization, responsible for shaping and driving the long-term catering and events strategy across multiple university campuses in the Western Region. This role will play a pivotal part in leading our catering growth over the next five years, developing new revenue streams, and elevating our brand presence both within and beyond our existing client locations.

This position requires a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset, with an emphasis on expanding external revenue through engagement with industry partners, community organizations, and new market segments outside the internal campus network. The leader will also build strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders at each client institution to support long-term partnership success and operational excellence.
Travel within the Western Region is required approximately 30% of the time.

Strategic & Regional Leadership

•    Lead the development and execution of a five-year regional catering growth strategy for the Western Region.

•    Set the vision and strategic priorities for catering and events across all university accounts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client expectations.

•    Champion innovation in menu development, event design, and service models to enhance competitiveness and guest experience.

•    Drive the standardization of regional best practices, processes, pricing, and brand standards across all campuses.

Business Development & External Market Growth

•    Expand catering revenue by building partnerships with industry groups, local businesses, associations, event planners, and community organizations.

•    Develop and execute strategies to capture external catering business beyond internal campus clients.

•    Identify new markets, revenue opportunities, and partnerships that support sustainable growth.

•    Represent the organization at regional events, conferences, and community engagements to promote our capabilities and expand market presence.

Client & Stakeholder Partnership

•    Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within our existing university client organizations.

•    Participate in client meetings, planning sessions, and major events as a trusted senior partner.

•    Support long-term contract success, renewal readiness, and alignment with evolving client priorities.

•    Serve as a strategic escalation point for client concerns, ensuring proactive problem-solving and strong communication.

Operational Excellence

•    Ensure consistent, high-quality catering and event execution across all campuses, from small meetings to high-profile galas.

•    Conduct regular site visits to assess standards, identify opportunities, and support on-site leaders.

•    Drive continuous improvement in food quality, presentation, service delivery, safety, and guest satisfaction.

•    Lead regional readiness for large-scale events, high-profile visits, and campus-specific signature programs.

Financial & Performance Management

•    Oversee regional financial performance for catering operations, including budget development, forecasting, margin improvement, and cost control.

•    Analyze financial results and implement corrective actions to improve flow-through and profitability.

•    Support development of competitive pricing strategies that balance client value with business performance.

•    Ensure labour optimization, effective scheduling, and operational efficiencies across all sites.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

•    Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to Catering Managers, Event Leads, and culinary teams across the region.

•    Support recruitment efforts and build a strong pipeline of catering talent to support future growth.

•    Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.

•    Lead and support teams during major events, operational transitions, and business development initiatives.

•    7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in catering, hospitality, events, or multi-unit foodservice operations.

•    Proven success driving revenue growth, including external or off-site catering business development.

•    Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams across multiple locations.

•    Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and margin management.

•    Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.

•    Experience working within higher education, corporate catering, or large-scale venue environments is an asset.

•    Ability to travel 30% of the time within the Western Region.

Success Profile 

•    Balances strategy with hands-on leadership.

•    Excels at building partnerships internally and externally.

•    Understands how to drive revenue growth while maintaining operational discipline.

•    Influences and inspires teams across multiple locations.

•    Thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.

•    Embodies professionalism, innovation, and a client-focused mindset.