Dir-Catering Food & Beverage

Job Posting Title:

Dir-Catering Food & Beverage

Req ID:

10095905

Job Description:

The Gatherings business is a dynamic and diverse organization comprised of a collection of brands and services that targets unique audience segments through a focus on delivering uniquely-Disney content and experiences broadening WDW product portfolio.​ This includes sales, services and operation functions for Disney Meetings and Events, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, Disney’s Imagination Campus, Disney Event Group and Conventions Culinary & Catering. 

Specifically, the Catering organization supports and delivers the Group Food and Beverage and Meetings & Events for all areas of Walt Disney World.

The Director, Catering F&B plays a critical role leading the large and highly experienced Catering teams, both Operations and Culinary, and is responsible for the execution of approximately 10,000 events annually at Walt Disney World. This leader is responsible for leading the strategies and operation of the Catering team, leveraging high levels of expertise, proficiency, and leadership to sustain and increase service, consistency and product quality levels in the company’s Group and Convention businesses.

This highly impactful role is responsible for upholding the values and strong brand reputation of The Walt Disney Company and works closely with key WDW Parks, Resorts & LOBs partners and other internal Disney teams to ensure alignment across the WDW property and overall client satisfaction.

This role reports directly to the VP, Gatherings Sales & Services and participates as an active member of the Culinary Food & Beverage Leadership team.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the operationally execution of all Group events across WDW property.  

• Lead the development and execution of Catering strategic and tactical initiatives that support the Gatherings annual business plan.

• Lead, optimize and develop processes within different regions of Walt Disney World to enhance productivity, speed, efficiency, and increase product quality and service delivery for the Gatherings business.

• Develop business and service plans to drive additional F&B revenue.

• Manage operational variables to drive efficiencies that will unlock more profit and value, including labor and pricing optimization initiatives. 

• Partner on the development of new projects and concepts to enhance the overall Gatherings experiences and value.

• Develop key relationships throughout the Walt Disney World organization including Gatherings Directors, Resort and Park GM’s, F&B GM’s, Culinary Directors.

• Display a passion and knowledge of the Rooms/Resorts, Foods/Beverage and Theme Park/Admission Operations and assists with the vision, planning and implementation to continually raise the bar on product, presentation and service.

• Work directly with Finance to ensure appropriate revenue and profitability metrics are used to evaluate the different lines of businesses as well as participates with the area’s Project Manager on Union related issues including negotiations to drive strategic value for the guest and business results.

• Partner with training teams to identify developmental opportunities for leaders and cast members including Culinary and Catering training.

• Partner with HR and Labor Relations to develop talent, succession, training, and development plans for the culinary and catering operations cast members.

• Track, monitor and manage the development of high guest/client standards and measurements that drive consistency and deliver exceptional guest/client service.

• Regularly interacts with internal and external clients to create, manage and enhance overall key relationships in the Group and Convention business.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years leadership experience

• Proven strong experience leading and developing high caliber work team

• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication

• Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills

• Demonstrated strong relationship and influencing abilities

• Demonstrated strong strategic and analytic skills

• Demonstrated strong client management and partnering abilities

• Demonstrated ability to influence thinking and apply complicated strategies

• Proven inspirational leader

• Demonstrated abilities to influence thinking and apply complicated strategies

• Ability to manage broad scope of cast members including Union cast

• Willingness to work flexible hours with some travel

• Ability to