Casa Nela is a New York hospitality company that operates three popular Greenwich Village restaurants: Bobo, Rosemary’s and Claudette. 

Description of Position

The Events & Catering Department plays a key role in the financial success of each restaurant. The department is responsible for marketing the events and catering offerings, booking events and working with the operations teams and outside vendors to execute catering and events. The Director of Events & Catering manages the Events Managers and Events Coordinator, manages the day-to-day operations of the department and leads the sales and execution of all events.  More specifically, the Director of Events & Catering will be responsible for:

Operations

• Ensuring the department is staffed to field inquiries seven days a week
• Creating proposals for, booking and executing dining private events
• Coordinating with chefs and GM’s to update menus and offerings
• Lead weekly meetings with operations teams
• Solicit and distribute client feedback to Events and operations teams
• Working with the Controller and operations teams to ensure events sales are accurately processed
• Lead Rosemary’s catering sales and liaising with Rosemary’s management on execution
• Working with outside vendors to execute events
• Updating and executing all SOPs

Sales & Marketing

• Lead the marketing outreach initiatives, including cold-calls, and cultivating client relationships 
• Develop and manage weekly sales action plans
• Manage monthly Events Department marketing newsletter
• Manage accuracy and inventory of all marketing collateral, including brochures
• Walk-thrus for events 
• Manage client databases in Venuebook and email marketing software (Emma)
• Distribute weekly sales report on Mondays
• Researching competitor offerings and distributing findings in quarterly sales and marketing report
• Represent Casa Nela, Bobo, Rosemary’s & Claudette brands in a professional, enthusiastic and upbeat manner, acting as the quintessential Casa Nela, Bobo, Rosemary’s & Claudette brand ambassador

Finance & Legal

• Leading team to achieve sales targets
• Managing department expenses 
• Ensuring contracts are updated and accurate
• Managing financial integrity of events, ensuring deposits are received and events are correctly charged 

HR & Administration

• Train and manage Events Manager/ Events Coordinator
• Manage new hire paperwork for team
• Create systems tools, including weekly tasks for Events Manager/ Events Coordinator
• Follow up with Events Manager/ Events Coordinator to ensure all responsibilities are managed in a timely manner
• Manage inventory of department supplies, including business cards
• Manage department reports, including Monday sales reports and quarterly department performance reports

Why work with Casa nela?

• Great growth opportunity. The right candidate will be considered for a broader role as Director of Sales & Marketing. 
• Build and structure an events and sales department from the ground up with a product that people want. There is a pipeline of inquiries that have come in organically without a sales push - great opportunity to convert business.  
• Working with an even-keeled ownership that has a reputation of empowering and supporting their employees. No ego / tempered culture, a refreshing change in the industry. 
• Join a growing restaurant organization that has a track record of success within a niche. 
• Exciting group of dynamic professionals make it a fun place to work. 
• Be instrumental in building a culture for a restaurant group that will be known as "the best place to work in the industry."
• Competitive pay and benefits with the complete support of a well tenured team.

Reporting Structure

The Director of Events & Catering will report to Cindi Byun, Director of Operations and Carlos Suarez, Owner.

ABOUT the talent

Casa Nela has attracted top talent across the board, most of whom have been promoted into roles as soon as they were ready for them. This speaks to the type of talent they hire and the support system for career growth/learning.

qualifications

• Ability to work a full-time schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays 
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Strong team building capability
• Strong attention to detail, organization and follow-through skills
• Basic business math and accounting skills and strong analytical/decision-making skills
• Advanced computer fluency, including Excel 
• The ideal candidate will be decisive and persuasive but not be an “ego” driven individual. The person will need to lead by example and be “hands on”  with the ability to see the big picture
• The ideal candidate will be decisive and persuasive but not be an “ego” driven individual. The person will need to lead by example and be “hands on”  with the ability to see the big picture
• The successful candidate will be a natural leader whose strengths and style complement the existing team. S/he will be a respected employee of the highest integrity and a leader who can positively affect the culture, external image, and inspire performance.

Interested in learning more or know the right person? Email mandeep@hhcsearch.com

about the founder

Carlos Suarez is the Founder of Casa Nela, a hospitality company that operates the New York restaurants Bobo, Rosemary's and Claudette. Born in London to an English mother and Cuban father, Carlos grew up surrounded by a passion for food at home. However, it was his arrival at British boarding school at age nine that forged a life defining relationship with food. Thrown into a world of stodgy English cooking and unfamiliar accents, suddenly home cooked meals amidst the love and familiarity of the kitchen table took on exponentially new meaning.

The son of an entrepreneur, Carlos always intended to follow in his father's footsteps, prompting his decision to attend the Wharton School as an undergraduate. However, after nine years of English schooling, Carlos again found himself the outsider. At his father's suggestion he sought out South Philly's Italian market and began hosting dinner parties; ultimately realizing the power of food to bring people together. 

While Carlos initially embarked on a career in finance, it wasn't long before he decided to pursue his true passion. Starting as a reservationist at Blue Fin at the W Hotel Times Square, Carlos subsequently worked his way into the management ranks of BRGuest, learning alongside the many talented GM's and Chefs of the group's diverse New York holdings.

After several years of training, Carlos set out on his own, opening the West Village restaurant, Bobo, in 2007, followed by Rosemary's and its rooftop farm in 2012, and the Provencal hit Claudette in 2014. While each of the restaurants is distinctly unique, they all express Carlos' passion for food and the comfort of home.

In 2014 Carlos created the management company Casa Nela to operate his restaurants and to develop new hospitality, hotel and agricultural businesses. While actively developing new businesses, including Rosemary's Tokyo, Carlos is focused on positioning Casa Nela as a premier employer in the industry, providing training, career development and ownership opportunities for his growing team.

instant interview

If you are excited about the position and know that you are right for the role, the easiest way to get to the top of the list is to submit a video interview. By clicking on the link below, you will be taken to a series of questions that will take less than 15 minutes to complete. It is a great way to stand out beyond your resume!

Up to $500 for referrals!

If you are not interested in this particular role but have people in your network that could be a good fit, we would love to help them. For any person we place at any of our clients that you refer to us, we send you a check for $500.

Each person is limited to only 3 referrals maximum so please only refer your best and help continue to build the best culinary network.