Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $132,600.00 - $177,700.00
Work Schedule
Rotating Shifts
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Savings benefits
Educational opportunities
bonus
Long-term incentive units
Paid Time Off
special extras
Job Description
Walt Disney World Resort, located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is a globally renowned entertainment and hospitality destination that offers world-class experiences to millions of guests every year. As one of the flagship properties of The Walt Disney Company, the resort combines immersive theme parks, resorts, water parks, shopping, dining, and entertainment venues to create a uniquely magical guest environment. Known for its dedication to innovation, excellence in service, and operational excellence, Walt Disney World Resort is a leader in the hospitality and entertainment industries. The resort continues to set standards by blending creativity with flawless service delivery across all its operations.
The Senior Event Operations Director position at Walt Disney World Resort is a pivotal role within the catering and event management sector, specifically focused on overseeing the catering operations that support convention and group activities across multiple venues including resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. This full-time leadership role demands a strategic and tactical approach to managing large-scale catering events that ensure exceptional customer and client satisfaction. Reporting directly to the Director of Catering Food & Beverage, the Senior Event Operations Director is responsible for guiding teams to deliver seamless event experiences while maintaining high operational and quality standards.
The role involves executing initiatives that align with the annual business plan, working closely with finance partners to evaluate revenue streams, profitability, and capital planning budgets. The incumbent will also engage with external clients and internal partners to build and sustain critical relationships, strengthening the Group and Convention business segment. Leadership responsibilities include managing both salaried and hourly staff, ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, optimizing financial performance via effective labor and resource management, and leading continuous process improvements including root cause analyses and project management. This role requires flexibility to work various shifts within a 24/7 operation environment including weekends and holidays, reflecting the dynamic nature of event and catering services.
Compensation for the Senior Event Operations Director role ranges from $132,600 to $177,700 annually, with additional potential bonuses and long-term incentive units. Disney also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, savings plans, educational opportunities, and unique perks exclusive to Disney employees. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in catering or related food and beverage operations who possesses strong leadership skills, financial acumen, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex event logistics in a fast-paced environment.
The Senior Event Operations Director position at Walt Disney World Resort is a pivotal role within the catering and event management sector, specifically focused on overseeing the catering operations that support convention and group activities across multiple venues including resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. This full-time leadership role demands a strategic and tactical approach to managing large-scale catering events that ensure exceptional customer and client satisfaction. Reporting directly to the Director of Catering Food & Beverage, the Senior Event Operations Director is responsible for guiding teams to deliver seamless event experiences while maintaining high operational and quality standards.
The role involves executing initiatives that align with the annual business plan, working closely with finance partners to evaluate revenue streams, profitability, and capital planning budgets. The incumbent will also engage with external clients and internal partners to build and sustain critical relationships, strengthening the Group and Convention business segment. Leadership responsibilities include managing both salaried and hourly staff, ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, optimizing financial performance via effective labor and resource management, and leading continuous process improvements including root cause analyses and project management. This role requires flexibility to work various shifts within a 24/7 operation environment including weekends and holidays, reflecting the dynamic nature of event and catering services.
Compensation for the Senior Event Operations Director role ranges from $132,600 to $177,700 annually, with additional potential bonuses and long-term incentive units. Disney also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, savings plans, educational opportunities, and unique perks exclusive to Disney employees. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in catering or related food and beverage operations who possesses strong leadership skills, financial acumen, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex event logistics in a fast-paced environment.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality, business administration, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years experience in catering, conventions, or other relevant event or food and beverage operations
- Proven inspirational leadership experience
- Strong understanding of food and beverage catering logistics
- Ability to optimize financial performance through efficient labor and expense management
- Experience developing financial forecasts and budgets
- Strong knowledge of inventory management practices
- Ability to influence thinking and apply complex strategies
- Strong understanding of the STCU contract
- Experience leading process improvement projects
- Strong knowledge of quality measurements and project management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional relationship-building skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Proficiency with email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to understand emerging and current technologies supporting group business lines
Job Qualifications
- 5+ years experience in catering, conventions, or other relevant event or food and beverage operations
- Proven inspirational leadership experience with the ability to develop and succession-plan high-performance salaried and hourly teams
- Strong understanding of food and beverage catering logistics, menu design, food and beverage quality assurance, and food safety
- Ability to optimize financial performance through efficient labor and expense management
- Experience developing financial forecasts and budgets, with the ability to interpret financial results
- Strong knowledge of inventory management practices
- Ability to influence thinking and apply complex strategies
- Strong understanding of the STCU contract
- Experience leading process improvement projects and applying root cause analysis methodologies
- Strong knowledge of quality measurements and project management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to partner cross-functionally at all levels
- Strong attention to detail
- Proficiency with email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to understand emerging and current technologies supporting group business lines
Job Duties
- Execute strategic and tactical initiatives that support the annual business plan
- Partner with Finance to ensure appropriate revenue and profitability metrics are used to evaluate the business and develop the annual Capital Planning budget
- Manage guest and client standards and measurements to ensure consistent, world-class service
- Interact regularly with external clients and internal partners to create, manage, and enhance key Group and Convention business relationships
- Serve as an active member of the Walt Disney World Catering Line of Business Leadership Team
- Oversee and lead salaried and hourly O&T cast members across catering operations
- Lead implementation of operating policies and procedures, food safety compliance, and regulatory compliance
- Optimize financial performance through effective labor and expense resource allocation
- Support inventory management to meet financial and client requirements
- Lead and manage process improvement initiatives, including root cause analysis and project management
- Work various shifts within a 24/7 operation, including weekends and holidays
Job Criteria
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.
We'll match you with best jobs
Get job offers faster
Search For More Opportunities:
How Candidates Get Hired Faster
Apply to 2–3 similar roles
Complete profile & get best matches
Check new opportunities daily
