Corporate Director, Catering & Events Operations

Corporate Director, Catering & Events Operations SSA Group - 3.3 Denver, CO Job Details Full-time $100,000 - $120,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Cell phone reimbursement Parental leave Vision insurance 401(k) matching Employee discount Bereavement leave Life insurance Paid sick time Qualifications Organizing events Succession planning Operations management Managing hospitality teams Improving operational efficiency Team development Business development Financial operations management Team management Profit & Loss statement Senior level Food safety Profit and loss analysis Leadership Food service management Hospitality management Full Job Description SSA Group is looking for a talented Corporate Director of Catering & Event Operations to join our team! All applications should be submitted within 7-days following posting of the job; applications will be prioritized based upon time submitted and may not be reviewed beyond this time. The employer reserves the right to shorten or expand this timeframe as necessary to the job scope.

Job Title:

Corporate Director of Operations Department:

Catering & Events Location:

Remote Required Travel:

15%+ Reports to:

Vice President, Catering & Events Direct Reports:

4+

Revenue Oversight:

$11,000,000+ WHO

ARE WE SSA

Group partners with zoos, aquariums, and other iconic attractions across the country to deliver hospitality experiences that are operationally smart, guest-focused, and built for scale. This is not traditional catering, and it is not just picnics. SSA's galas are our calling card. We deliver high-touch hospitality in environments where logistics are complex, venues are unconventional, and execution has to flex in real time. From outdoor animal habitats to multi-site cultural campuses, our teams lead high-volume events where precision, adaptability, and service excellence all matter. We call it 452 Hospitality. It is how we connect people, places, and experience in a way that actually works in the real world. The Role This is a builder role You are not stepping into a fully built, high-performing structure. You are stepping in to elevate it The Corporate Director of Operations will: Build and develop a strong bench of District Managers and operational leaders nationwide Drive consistency across diverse, complex venues Translate sales commitments into executable operations Raise the standard of event execution, team performance, and accountability This role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution What You Will Own Team Leadership and Growth Build, coach, and develop a multi-unit operations team across regions Elevate performance standards, accountability, and succession planning Upgrade talent where needed and create a culture of ownership Operational Execution at Scale Ensure consistent execution across non-traditional, high-complexity venues Lead high-profile and large-scale events where execution risk is highest Build operational playbooks that actually work in the field, not just on paper Catering Excellence in Unique Venues Lead catering operations strategy in environments like zoos, aquariums, and cultural attractions Balance guest experience with real-world constraints such as weather, layout, and access Partner with culinary to deliver concepts that are both innovative and executable Strategic Partnership Act as the operational counterpart to Sales Ensure what we're selling can actually be delivered at a high level Influence business development with operational insight Financial Ownership Own P&L across regions including labor, cost of goods, and margin improvement Drive operational efficiency without sacrificing guest experience Innovation and Differentiation Push the business forward Introduce ideas that elevate SSA's catering experience in the market Build repeatable models that scale across locations What We Are Looking For Required 10+ years in catering and food and beverage operations, with direct ownership of menu execution, food presentation, and service delivery at scale 5+ years leading multi-unit or multi-site F&B teams, including both front-of-house and back-of-house operations Experience in non-traditional, high-complexity venues where catering execution requires real-time adaptability Zoos, aquariums, museums, iconic cultural attractions, large campuses, or similar Proven ability to build and develop leadership teams, not just manage day-to-day operations Strong operational and financial acumen with full P&L ownership across catering or F&B operations Experience executing high-volume catering events (300+ guests) with full food service, not event production or experiential marketing Critical Success Traits You can scale people, not just processes You know how to operate when things are not perfect or controlled You bring structure without slowing the business down You are comfortable being both strategic and hands-on when needed Experience with Tripleseat or similar platforms Food safety certifications Compensation and Benefits Full-Time, Exempt $75 monthly cell phone stipend

Flex Time Off:

no accruals; employees are encouraged to schedule time off as needed within business scope. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable. Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods). Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave

Parental Leave:

Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on the birthing event.

SSA Paid Benefit:

Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Bonding and your family's serious medical conditions. Up to 5 days

Paid Bereavement Leave On-Demand Pay Program:

Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday. Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include:

Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C..

Colorado:

Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).

Maryland:

Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.

Washington:

Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time. SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents:

By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.