Account Executive - Catering & Events

About the Role:

NOW Hospitality + NOW Events is seeking a highly organized, sales-driven, operations-minded Catering & Event Sales Manager to lead and scale our catering and private event division.

This position owns the full lifecycle of catering and event revenue — from inbound inquiry to flawless kitchen execution.

This is not just a sales role. This is a revenue + systems + execution leadership role.

What You’ll Be Responsible For:

Sales & Revenue Growth:

• Respond to all catering and event inquiries within 24 hours.
• Build proposals and close business.
• Maintain CRM pipeline and follow-up schedules.
• Conduct outbound prospecting (corporate, schools, hospitals, venues, planners)
• Generate new business weekly.
• Track monthly revenue goals and conversion rates.
• Follow up post-event to secure repeat business and referrals.

BEO & Timeline Ownership:

You are responsible for creating clear, executable event documentation.

For every event, you will:

• Build detailed BEOs with quantities, menu specs, packaging needs, staffing requirements, and delivery instructions
• Establish clear production timelines
• Set hard departure times
• Confirm cook start times
• Ensure all logistics are documented with zero ambiguity
• The kitchen should never have to guess.

Kitchen Communication & Execution Control

You will ensure that:

• Orders are communicated to the kitchen in advance
• Final headcounts and adjustments are updated immediately
• Large events are verbally reviewed with BOH leadership
• A 7-day catering lookahead is consistently maintained
• A 48-hour reconfirmation protocol is followed
• If details are unclear, you fix them.

Supply & Inventory Coordination:

This role is responsible for ensuring that every store has the food, packaging, and catering supplies required to execute events successfully.

You will:

• Review event quantities against inventory
• Flag high-volume ingredient needs
• Confirm protein, produce, dough, and specialty items are available
• Communicate supply needs to each store
• Ensure items are added to vendor order guides
• Confirm stores place necessary supply orders
• Follow up to verify delivery prior to event date

Catering supplies include but are not limited to:

• Sternos
• Chafing dishes
• Full/half/third pans + lids
• Serving utensils
• Catering boxes
• Disposable ware
• Hot hold bags
• Labels and packaging materials
• No store should ever say: “We didn’t order that.”

Event Day Ownership:

On event days, you will:

• Confirm production start times
• Verify packing accuracy
• Ensure all supplies are accounted for
• Confirm departure timing
• Serve as point of contact for host
• Execution must be calm, timely, and professional.

What We’re Looking For:

• 2+ years in catering, event sales, or hospitality management preferred
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience building BEOs and managing timelines
• Comfortable working with BOH and FOH teams
• Sales-minded with ability to close
• Detail-oriented and proactive
• Calm under pressure
• Bonus if you have corporate sales experience or have worked in multi-unit restaurant operations.

Compensation:

• Competitive Base Salary
• Commission on booked revenue
• Performance bonuses tied to monthly goals
• Growth path into Director-level leadership

Why NOW Hospitality + NOW Events?

We are building a vertically integrated hospitality ecosystem — restaurants, catering, large-scale events, and experiential productions.

This role is central to that growth.

If you are process-driven, revenue-minded, and execution-focused — this is an opportunity to build something meaningful in Peoria’s evolving hospitality landscape.

How to Apply?

Please submit:

• Resume
• Brief note explaining why you’re a strong fit
• Optional: A summary of your largest event or sales win

NOW Hospitality is a future-forward restaurant group crafting soulful, scalable concepts that connect with guests and drive strong returns. Built by operators and creatives, we blend thoughtful design with genuine hospitality—setting the pace for what neighborhood dining can be. Rooted in culture, designed for connection, and powered by performance. Visit our website to learn more: