Senior Event Operations Director
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10149202 Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States Business Walt Disney World Resort Date posted May 13, 2026Job Summary:
About the Role & Team
The Senior Event Operations Director leads the catering operations teams that execute all convention and group activity across all Catering regions, including resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, delivering excellent customer and client satisfaction. The role executes strategic and tactical initiatives that support the annual business plan and partners closely with Finance to evaluate revenue, profitability, and capital planning. This position regularly engages with external clients and internal partners to build, manage, and enhance key relationships within the Group and Convention business.
The Senior Event Operations Director will report directly to the Director of Catering Food & Beverage.
This is a Full-Time role.
What You Will Do
- 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
Required Qualifications & Skills
- 5+ years experience in Catering, Conventions, or other relevant event or Food & Beverage operations
- Proven inspirational leadership experience with the ability to develop and succession-plan high‑performance salaried and hourly teams
- Strong understanding of Food & 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven career experience within the Group and Convention business or industry
- Knowledge of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company organizational structure
- Experience managing process improvement projects
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, or equivalent experience
Additional Information
Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
The hiring range for this position is Lake Buena Vista, FL is $132,600.00-$177,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
About Walt Disney World Resort:
Since opening in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort has played an important role in many childhood and family memories. Today, hundreds of millions of guests from around the globe visit this magical place to enjoy a Disney vacation. Through a combination of creativity, innovation and technology, the resort immerses guests in classic Disney tales and new kinds of family entertainment. Drawing from a rich heritage of storytelling, Walt Disney World Resort cast members bring Disney magic to life through unmatched attention to detail and superior guest service.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
