Job Details

General Manager, Catering and Events

Position Number: 9762466
Location: Kingston, United States
Position Type: Food Services

General Manager, Catering and Events

Posting Number: SF02191
Position Type: Professional Staff
Union: PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc
Pay Grade Level: Grade Level: 12
Pay Grade Range: Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $71,000 - $76,000
Department: Dining Catering Operations
Campus Location: Kingston

Job Description Summary:
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by August 31, 2026. Applications received after August 31, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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About URI: The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.
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POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide executive leadership and overall management of URI Dining's Catering and Events business unit, including full-service catering, conferences, commencement activities, donor and VIP events, campus-wide special events, mobile dining operations, and other revenue-generating hospitality services.

Responsible for the strategic direction, financial performance, operational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, business development, marketing, staffing, and growth of a comprehensive hospitality operation with total annual revenues exceeding $1.75 million. Develop and implement short- and long-range business plans that support Dining Services strategic priorities while achieving revenue growth, fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and exceptional guest experiences.

Serve as the principal leader for Catering and Events and maintain full accountability for sales performance, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, client relations, operational execution, and service quality. Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and culinary leadership team to develop innovative menus, enhance guest experiences, and ensure successful execution of all catering and event operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and execute annual strategic, operational, marketing, and financial plans for Catering and Events that support departmental goals and long-term growth objectives.
Direct all sales, business development, client engagement, and customer relationship activities. Identify opportunities to increase revenue through conferences, donor events, alumni programs, athletic events, summer programs, and other external business opportunities.
Establish annual revenue goals, operating budgets, labor targets, customer satisfaction metrics, and performance indicators. Monitor results and implement corrective actions to ensure achievement of established objectives.
Maintain full accountability for the financial performance of Catering and Events, including revenue generation, labor management, operating expenses, forecasting, budget preparation, and financial reporting while analyzing revenue trends, labor utilization, food costs, operating expenses, and profitability.
Serve as the primary liaison with university departments as the lead client relationship manager.
Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop menus, pricing strategies, service concepts, and special event offerings that meet customer expectations and support financial objectives.
Direct all administrative functions associated with Catering and Events, including event scheduling, contract negotiations, customer contracts, billing, invoicing, event documentation, resource allocation, and operational planning.
Recruit, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff.
Establish and maintain service standards, operating procedures, and performance expectations.
Coordinate large-scale University events, commencement activities, conferences, VIP functions, donor events, and special programs requiring extensive logistical planning and cross-functional collaboration.
Collaborate with University partners to maximize operational effectiveness and identify new service opportunities.
Ensure compliance with all University, State, and Federal regulations relating to food safety, alcohol service, labor standards, transportation, risk management, and event operations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Posting Date: 08/13/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16950