Executive Planning Manager Events and Catering

**Salary:** 115,000-125,000

**Other Forms of Compensation:**

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary
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The Executive Planning Manager leads the Events & Catering Planning function, driving operational excellence, internal client engagement, program utilization, and team performance across a high-volume corporate events program supporting approximately 3,000 events annually.

This role combines departmental leadership, consultative sales, operational oversight, and direct ownership of selected complex, executive-level, and VIP events. The Executive Planning Manager is responsible for developing a high-performing planning team, establishing consistent standards, improving processes, and ensuring exceptional client experiences.

A key focus is building a proactive, sales-oriented culture within LinkedIn's internal client community. This includes showcasing event spaces, guiding clients through available services, identifying opportunities to increase utilization, and coaching the team to make effective recommendations. The role focuses on growing internal engagement and adoption rather than generating external business.

The Executive Planning Manager is accountable for the overall effectiveness of the planning organization, including people development, quality assurance, SOP governance, program development, reporting, and continuous improvement. The role partners closely with the General Manager, Operations, Culinary, and other stakeholders to ensure events meet client expectations, operational requirements, and departmental objectives.

Key Responsibilities
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1. Strategic Leadership & Department Performance

Lead the Planning function, establishing departmental priorities, performance expectations, and accountability.

Manage and develop Planning Managers, ensuring consistent team performance, service delivery, and adherence to departmental standards.

Monitor operational, client, and financial performance, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and service quality.

Partner with the General Manager on departmental strategy, staffing, resource planning, and continuous improvement.

Ensure planning resources and priorities align with business needs and program objectives.

2. Consultative Sales & Internal Client Engagement

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, executive assistants, administrative business partners, and event organizers.

Lead by example in client consultations, identifying needs and recommending appropriate spaces, catering, and event experiences.

Showcase LinkedIn's event spaces and available offerings through client tours, presentations, and proactive engagement.

Train and coach the planning team to recognize opportunities, communicate value, recommend additional services, and strengthen client relationships.

Develop strategies to increase event bookings, repeat engagement, and utilization of available spaces and services.

Monitor client engagement, inquiry conversion, utilization, and feedback to identify opportunities for growth.

Ensure recommendations align with client objectives, operational capabilities, and established pricing and billing guidelines.

3. Complex, Executive-Level & VIP Event Leadership

Personally lead selected complex, high-profile, executive-level, and VIP events requiring elevated coordination, discretion, and attention to detail.

Serve as the primary planning contact for assigned VIP events, overseeing the experience from initial consultation through execution.

Coordinate complex logistics, timelines, culinary requirements, room setups, vendors, and cross-functional readiness.

Establish appropriate planning milestones, risk assessments, contingency plans, and readiness reviews.

Provide senior-level guidance on complex events, escalations, and sensitive client concerns.

Conduct post-event reviews for selected high-profile programs to identify improvements and strengthen future execution.

4. Planning Standards, SOPs & Quality Assurance

Own the development, maintenance, and governance of planning SOPs, templates, tools, checklists, and documentation standards.

Ensure consistent use of TripleSeat, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), timelines, planning milestones, and established client communication processes.

Oversee quality audits covering event check-ins, ticket response and resolution times, BEO accuracy and check-off procedures, and planning milestone adherence.

Review audit findings, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve consistency and reduce recurring errors.

Hold Planning Managers accountable for addressing quality concerns and implementing improvements.

Ensure planning standards are consistently applied across event types and venues while accommodating unique client requirements.

Additional Responsibilities
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5. People Leadership, Coaching & Development

Coach and develop Planning Managers, strengthening their leadership, planning, client management, and problem-solving capabilities.

Establish measurable performance expectations and conduct regular performance and development reviews.

Partner with the General Manager on Performance Development Plans (PDPs), succession planning, and leadership development.

Ensure appropriate training, onboarding, and support for Assistant Planning Managers, Coordinators, and Administrators through the established reporting structure.

Develop team capabilities in consultative sales, event-space tours, client presentations, service recommendations, and VIP event planning.

Address performance concerns proactively and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

6. Workforce Planning & Event Portfolio Management

Oversee event assignments and workload distribution based on event complexity, deadlines, planning hours, and employee capabilities.

Monitor team capacity and resource utilization, identifying staffing gaps and opportunities to improve productivity.

Ensure complex and VIP events receive appropriate resources without compromising routine event delivery.

Establish coverage and escalation plans for peak periods, absences, and changing business needs.

Partner with the General Manager on staffing models and resource recommendations based on workload and performance data.

7. Program Development, Financial Oversight & Reporting

Lead the development and refinement of team-building experiences, culinary classes, facilitated sessions, and other event offerings.

Partner with Culinary and Operations to assess client demand, operational feasibility, resource requirements, and pricing recommendations.

Evaluate program performance, utilization, client feedback, and financial outcomes to guide future development.

Oversee event data, financial tracking, billing practices, planning time, and departmental reporting.

Own the Events & Catering Planning feedback tracker, analyzing feedback and identifying recurring issues, root causes, and improvement opportunities.

Prepare biweekly feedback summaries and regular departmental performance updates for the General Manager, including trends, recommendations, and follow-up actions.

Ensure financial and reporting practices align with established policies and billing requirements.

8. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Maintain strong partnerships with Operations, Culinary, Facilities, and other relevant stakeholders.

Establish clear communication and handoff processes from client consultation through event execution.

Resolve cross-functional issues affecting event readiness, operational feasibility, and client satisfaction.

Ensure client commitments are clearly communicated and aligned with execution capabilities.

Represent the Planning function in operational reviews, program development discussions, and departmental initiatives.

Qualifications
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Significant experience in corporate events, catering, hospitality, event planning, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing managers or experienced planning professionals.

Experience developing internal client relationships and applying consultative sales techniques to increase service adoption and utilization.

Proven ability to manage complex, executive-level, and VIP events in a high-volume environment.

Strong knowledge of event planning processes, BEOs, SOPs, quality assurance, and operational readiness.

Experience with employee coaching, performance management, process improvement, and program development.

Experience with financial tracking, reporting, billing practices, and workload management.

Proficiency with event management systems such as TripleSeat and relevant business productivity tools.

Strong communication, presentation, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain discretion when supporting executive stakeholders.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic and operational leadership.

Consultative sales and internal client engagement.

People development and performance management.

Executive presence, discretion, and professional judgment.

Complex event planning and risk