Job Description

About GP:

From innovative menus and striking design to impeccable service and critical attention to detail, at Great Performances, we weave our mission into all we do. Serving New York City for over four decades, this New York–based company has evolved from a small waitress staffing agency into one of the leading catering, events, and hospitality companies in the greater New York area. We provide food services in an array of celebrated New York City cultural institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Wave Hill, and The Apollo Theater. We are known for full-service catering and events, corporate workplace dining and amenity programs, and large-scale event and festival production. Great Performances is the nation’s first caterer to own and operate an organic farm, Katchkie Farm located in Kinderhook, NY. Progressive from the start, we consistently set the pace for industry best practices.

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our team and to support our vision, mission, and values through everything they do. If you share our passion and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply.

Our Mission: Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality

Our Vision: Building Community to Better Our World

Our Core Values:

Craftsmanship: developing new menus, designs, and moments to deliver engaging experiences to our clients and guests.

People: creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for everyone. Our employees are our greatest asset.

Sustainability: upholding and elevating standards for sustainable behaviors that support our planet.

Collaboration: aligning with our clients’, colleagues’, and community’s visions to execute a successful experience.

Doing Good through Food: engaging in action around food access, health and wellness, education, and philanthropy.

Great Performances is seeking a Senior Director of Contract Hospitality to lead a portfolio of contract accounts and serve as the primary partner to clients, venue leadership, and internal teams. This role oversees day-to-day operations across diverse hospitality environments, drives operational excellence and financial performance, and supports business reviews and growth initiatives. Through hands-on leadership and cross-functional collaboration, the Senior Director ensures consistent service delivery aligned with company standards, regulatory requirements, and Great Performances’ mission and values.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee and engage with the daily operations of multiple units, ensuring consistent adherence to company standards, client expectations, and operational best practices.
• Build and maintain strong business partnerships between Great Performances and contract clients, ensuring clear communication, contract alignment, and client satisfaction.
• Drive revenue growth and profitability/performance through strong financial oversight and business development initiatives.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with in-house departments, including finance, HR, IT, culinary, marketing, and sales.
• Promote a collaborative, supportive, and performance-driven culture among employees at all levels.

Day-to-Day Overview:

• Lead, coach, and develop Directors and General Managers to meet performance, compliance, and service goals.
• Collaborate on the execution of accurate weekly and monthly financial forecasts and oversee budgets.
• Oversee expenses while identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements in concert with directors, managers, and the GP office.
• Support the Venue Executive Chef as a partner on the culinary mission for individual locations.
• Participate in analysis of sales, menu mix, margins, and profits; ensure competitive pricing and consistent portion control.
• Educate and guide management teams on inventory control, spoilage reduction, and product mix strategies.
• Ensure 100% compliance with Department of Health regulations and company safety standards across all locations.
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, professional development, and hiring qualified candidates to meet operational demands.
• Partner with the Marketing team to support communication strategies and promotional needs.
• Collaborate with the Design team to develop and execute visual assets aligned with brand standards.
• Collaborate with HR for a full range of employee-centered needs.
• Handle and resolve client and customer concerns regarding service and food quality promptly and professionally.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Client Satisfaction: Achieve and maintain client satisfaction.
• Financial Performance: Meet or exceed 95% of revenue and budget goals while keeping costs within ±3% of forecasts.
• Operational Compliance: Maintain 100% compliance with all Department of Health standards and internal safety audits.
• Employee Retention: Sustain an annual management-level retention rate of at least 85%.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of progressive leadership experience in food service, catering operations, hospitality, or contract dining operations, including multi-unit oversight.
• Proven experience managing contract client relationships and leading business review meetings.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, and cost control (food, labor, and overhead).
• In-depth knowledge of Department of Health regulations, food safety standards, and operational compliance requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a results-driven mindset.

Base salary: $130,000 - $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Performance-based bonus tied to key performance indicators (KPIs).

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Transit Benefits; and Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 401(k).

Must be able to provide valid documentation that you are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Great Performances is an equal opportunity employer. At Great Performances we employ qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience. Great Performances does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

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