Job Description

EVENT DIRECTOR
Full Time Exempt Employee

Dish Food & Events, an award-winning catering and events company located in the heart of NYC, is searching for an Event Director. We are looking for a sales individual who is passionate about excellence, enjoys collaboration, and thrives on seeking new opportunities. With over 15 years of experience creating unforgettable events, we are recognized for our warm hospitality, innovative and delicious cuisine, and a team-focused culture that empowers every member to thrive.

The Event Director plays a key sales role in driving business growth within the New York City market for Dish Food & Events, a premier catering and hospitality provider. As a sales manager, the Event Director oversees the full sales lifecycle—from generating leads and securing new business to managing client relationships and ensuring the flawless execution of events.

The ideal candidate is a natural connector and closer—an entrepreneurial spirit with a love for hospitality and a deep understanding of what it takes to create memorable events. They are innovative, driven, and solutions-oriented, with a passion for building relationships and delivering on the details. This person is comfortable with outbound sales and prospecting, and thrives on identifying and converting leads into long-term client partnerships. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, people-focused environment and wants to make an impact on the sales and growth of the company.

Our ideal candidate will bring:

• 2–5 years of experience in event sales, business development, or client management within the catering, hospitality, or events industry
• Proven ability to drive revenue through proactive sales strategies, including lead generation, cold calling, and outreach to new clients, venues, and planners
• A track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships, from initial inquiry through post-event follow-up
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple high-touch events and sales pipelines in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment
• Deep understanding of hospitality sales strategy, market trends, and competitive positioning—particularly within the New York City catering and events landscape
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in proposal writing, presentations, client negotiations, and closing deals
• A leadership mindset, with a collaborative, team-first attitude and the ability to mentor and support junior sales team members
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented, with a passion for delivering outstanding service and a drive to consistently meet and exceed sales targets
• Comfortable using CRM tools and sales tracking software to manage leads, generate reports, and maintain accurate records
• A genuine love for hospitality, events, and creating memorable experiences for clients

RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL

• Develop, own and achieve/exceed an annual individual sales goal by selling weddings, social and corporate events including full service and drop off (Dish Food To Go). 
• Partner with the accounting department to ensure accurate financial billing, reporting and collection of accounts receivable.
• With Dish management staff--conceptualize, plan and develop new ideas and revenue streams, which ultimately lead to increased sales.
• Collaborate with all departments to drive high profitability and meet or exceed company profit goals.

SALES + EVENT PRODUCTION

• Provide the best possible customer service to Dish clients while ensuring the successful planning and execution of Dish events from start to finish. This includes but is not limited to responding to emails, calls and inquiries in a timely fashion, making sales calls/follow up calls to prospects, scheduling meetings with clients and venues, creating event proposals, writing menus, preparing production/equipment orders, BEO’s, invoices, staffing events with Staffing Manager, and creating event paperwork such as timelines, floor plans, etc.
• Pro-actively research, prospect and develop new business, with a focus on collaborating with venues and event/wedding planners, through strategic thinking and planning while growing, servicing and maintaining existing accounts.
• Maintain and nurture relationships with current Dish clients and leads assigned to you, that lead to repeat business and increased revenue.
• Create a culture for no client to be a one-time client.
• Attend and actively participate in scheduled sales and production meetings with the sales, culinary, and operations departments.
• Work closely with the Dish Culinary Department in the development of quality, creative and timely presentations, tastings and proposals for clients.
• Organize and attend impressive tastings with prospective clients.
• Work with the Operations, Culinary and Hospitality departments to ensure events are correctly prepared for, staffed and executed. 
• Assist with company marketing projects on an as needed basis. This may include but not be limited to promotional private and group tastings, trade shows and other marketing events.
• Accurately maintain the Dish client database and calendar in Total Party Planner software.
• Work on site at events on an as needed basis as the salesperson/planner. Nights and weekend work will be required.

CORE VALUES

• Actively participate in a positive Dish Culture
• Make Dish an awesome place to work
• Embrace, promote and exemplify Dish’s Mission Statement, Core Values, Hospitality Standards + Culture.
• Foster positive communication with the entire Dish team.
• Adhere to policies as described in the Dish Food & Events Employee Handbook.
• Actively participate in Dish’s Continuous Employee Success Management program including weekly 1:1s, six-month check-ins and annual performance reviews.

Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Dish is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:

• Competitive Salary $75k base + commission (anticipated total compensation ~$90K based on sales goal)
• Hybrid work from home/office schedule after 90 days employment
• Monthly cellphone reimbursement 
• Option to enroll in major medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid Days Off (Vacation + Personal Days + Dish Holidays)
• Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program designed to support the communities where we live and work
• Paid Family Leave, Safe and Sick Pay, ST and LT Disability insurance 
• 401k Plan to invest in your future after 12 months of full-time employment
• Commuter transportation benefits, flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• Learning & development opportunities
• Company dining program of daily delicious family meals (aka free lunch!)

DISH is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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