Fantastic Opportunity! Catering Manager (Full-Time) – The Engineers Club (ESB)
About The Engineering Society of Baltimore:
The Engineers Society of Baltimore (the Club) is a premier private club located in the exquisitely appointed Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, a stately landmark in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood. The Club hosts member events, private dining, and social engagements, in addition to serving as one of Maryland’s premier venues for weddings, corporate functions, and milestone celebrations.
Our Need:
We are seeking an experienced, creative, and service-driven Catering Manager to lead our event and catering operations. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional communicator who thrives in a highly collaborative environment. Success in this position depends on the ability to communicate proactively, clearly, and consistently with members, clients, vendors, and Club staff. Strong event planning skills are essential, but equally important is the ability to ensure that information flows accurately and timely across all stakeholders throughout the event lifecycle.
How this Job Adds Value to the Club:
- Drives Event Sales & Marketing: Promotes and markets the Club’s catering and event spaces through strategic outreach and strong interpersonal engagement within the club and to promote membership.
- Delivers High-Touch Service: Works directly with members and clients to create elegant, customized events—and maintains open, responsive lines of communication throughout the planning and execution process.
- Ensures Exceptional Communication & Follow-Through: Serves as the primary communication hub for all catered events, ensuring clients, members, vendors, and internal departments receive timely, accurate, and professional information. Proactively communicates changes, updates, timelines, and expectations to prevent misunderstandings and operational disruptions.
- Ensures Clarity Across Teams: Serves as the key liaison between clients, vendors, culinary staff, and service teams to ensure expectations are met and exceeded.
- Leads Event Execution: Directs and coordinates the Banquet Captain and service staff, ensuring smooth communication before, during, and after events.
- Upholds Brand Standards: Maintains the tone, professionalism, and service standard that reflect the values of The Engineers Club in all communications and client interactions.
- Contributes to the Club's Growth: Plays a key leadership role in expanding the Club's catering and private event business through exceptional client service, relationship development, and proactive sales efforts. Outstanding performance may be recognized through additional incentive compensation tied to departmental performance and revenue growth.
Primary Responsibilities:
Client Relations & Communication:
- Communicates promptly and professionally with members and external clients throughout the entire event process—from inquiry and tour to event completion.
- Builds trust and rapport through excellent verbal and written communication, active listening, and follow-through.
- Provides clear instructions and detailed updates to all parties involved in events.
- Addresses concerns or complaints diplomatically and in a timely fashion to ensure client satisfaction.
- Maintains a standard of responding to member and client inquiries within established service expectations.
- Communicates proactively rather than reactively, ensuring clients are informed of progress, changes, and next steps throughout the planning process.
- Documents all significant client communications, event changes, approvals, concerns, and planning notes within the Club's designated systems to ensure continuity of information and operational readiness.
- Documents key decisions, requests, and changes accurately to ensure seamless execution by all departments.
- Understands that timely communication is a critical component of client service and event success.
Event Sales & Promotion:
- Markets the Club as a premier destination for weddings, galas, meetings, and social functions.
- Conducts on-site tours and consultations for prospective clients and event planners.
- Builds and maintains strong client and vendor relationships, with a focus on cultivating return business.
Event Planning & Execution:
- Collaborates with the Executive Chef and Executive Director to finalize menus, pricing, and service plans.
- Drafts detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), contracts, and production documents with accuracy and clarity.
- Oversees pre-event coordination, event-day logistics, and post-event breakdown.
- Reviews setup against BEOs and remains present during events to provide leadership and support.
- Maintains complete and current event files, including correspondence, contracts, BEO revisions, timelines, client requests, and internal notes so that event information remains accessible to Club leadership and operational teams at all times.
- Ensures all event details are accurately communicated through BEOs, production meetings, written instructions, and verbal briefings.
- Conducts regular communication touchpoints with culinary, service, facilities, and leadership teams to ensure complete alignment on upcoming events.
- Takes ownership of communicating operational issues, client concerns, and event changes promptly to leadership and affected departments.
- Directs the Banquet Captain and service staff, ensuring event setup and service standards are communicated clearly and delivered professionally.
Operational Oversight & Budgeting:
- Participates in developing and managing the catering department’s budget.
- Monitors profitability and recommends adjustments to improve efficiency and client value.
- Ensures compliance with event permits, safety regulations, and Club policies.
Leadership & Quality Assurance:
- Acts as a leader in the department, setting an example of clear, respectful communication and attention to detail.
- Conducts post-event evaluations to assess client satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
- Recognizes that communication failures can directly impact member satisfaction, event execution, Club reputation, and revenue generation, and therefore treats communication as a primary responsibility of the position.
- Serves as Manager on Duty when scheduled or needed, including closing/opening responsibilities.
Work Schedule & Work Location
This position requires a combination of on-site and administrative work. While certain planning, correspondence, documentation, and administrative duties may be performed remotely when approved, regular on-site presence is required for client tours, planning meetings, tastings, event execution, vendor coordination, and other operational needs, including evenings and weekends.
Hybrid scheduling may be available based on business demands, event schedules, and departmental needs. However, client service requirements, event responsibilities, and operational needs of the Club will take precedence over remote work arrangements. The successful candidate must maintain timely communication, accurate recordkeeping, and complete event documentation regardless of work location.
Because this position serves as the central communication hub for all catered events, proactive communication, timely follow-up, and complete documentation of client interactions, event changes, approvals, and operational notes are essential functions of the role. Information must be accurately maintained within Club systems to ensure continuity of service, operational effectiveness, and a seamless experience for members and clients.
Qualifications:
- Education: High school diploma or GED required; coursework in event management, communications, or hospitality is preferred.
- Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in catering, event planning, or hospitality management.
- Experience in a private club or high-end event venue is strongly preferred.
- Key Skills & Competencies:
- Exceptional Communication Skills (Critical Requirement)
Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, accurately, and proactively with clients, members, vendors, staff, and leadership. The successful candidate must possess strong written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to timely follow-up. Communication effectiveness will be considered a core performance expectation for this role.
- Strong interpersonal abilities, diplomacy, and professional presence.
- Proven organizational and time management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and event/catering software.
- Ability to lead multiple events and stakeholders with grace under pressure.
Benefits & Compensation:
- Competitive Salary
- Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity
- Health Insurance + Healthcare Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Flexible Schedule
- Work in a prestigious and beautiful private venue with a dedicated professional team
Why Join Us?
At The Engineers Club, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a historic venue’s premier events program with a focus on excellence, elegance, and service. If you’re a passionate communicator and creative planner who thrives in a collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $69,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute:
- Baltimore, MD 21201 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Baltimore, MD 21201: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baltimore, MD 21201
