Lead Catering Captain | Part-Time | Benchmark International Arena

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

As the Lead Catering Captain, you are the heart and soul of every successful event—bringing coordination, leadership, and exceptional service to life. In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with the Catering Manager and Executive Chef to ensure each event runs smoothly from setup to breakdown, with every detail aligned to meet and exceed client expectations.

You’ll serve as the primary point of contact during catering functions, leading the service team with confidence, clarity, and a focus on creating memorable guest experiences. From directing staff to managing real-time event flow, you’re the steady hand that keeps everything on track. If you thrive in a fast-paced, event-driven environment and bring strong communication, hospitality, decision-making, and leadership skills to the table—this is your opportunity to lead where it counts most.

This role will pay an hourly rate of $14 and is tip eligible. 

Benefits for Part-Time roles: 401(k) savings plan and 401(k) matching.

This position will remain open until December 31, 2025. 

About the Venue

From 2011-2013, Benchmark International Arena had more than $62 million in improvements that have clearly revolutionized the industry and made it the premier entertainment venue in the state of Florida. With a wide array of venues spread throughout the United States, it can be difficult to find one that distinguishes itself from the others. That is not the case with the renovated AMALIE Arena, Florida’s premier entertainment venue and home of the three-time Stanley Cup champion, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Boasting unique features like lightning-throwing Tesla coils, the 11,000 square-foot Budweiser Biergarten with incredible views of the city and a massive five-manual, 105-rank digital pipe organ, AMALIE Arena consistently ranks among the very best venues in the United States. The best part? This is only the beginning.

Responsibilities

• Reviews Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to ensure that all details, such as food and beverage, seating, and special requests, etc. are met.
• Conduct pre-banquet meetings with staff to: ensure appearance, uniform, and hygiene standards are being met; assign stations and partners; and review banquet event orders.
• Communicate with Management and Staff to ensure that all details have been planned for and met.
• Ensures that changes and further instructions are made in a timely manner.
• Ensures that appropriate quantities of tableware, flatware, linens, and other items are available for upcoming events. Secure requisitions for those items not available in inventory.
• Checks room set-up prior to event and meet with Chefs to confirm quantities of food items and timing of food leaving the kitchen.
• Ensure proper handling of all equipment (i.e. tableware, flatware, linen) and their proper storage after use.
• Conducts random audits during functions to evaluate food and service.
• Ensures that: food is served at an appropriate temperature; food is placed properly on the table; sufficient food is available; and up sell opportunities are met.
• Regularly reviews catering schedule for changes, calendar of events, and special events.
• Handle client complaints and issues promptly, working with the event planning team to resolve any challenges.
• Train and mentor catering servers and other event staff to uphold the standards of the convention center.
• Ensure staff adheres to safety, health, and sanitation guidelines during events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 months’ experience in a supervision role
• Ability to work an event-driven schedule including weekdays, weekends, morning and evening shifts.
• Must be able to provide written availability on a regular and consistent basis to management 
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume catering or restaurant environment.
• Must have a High School Diploma, G.E.D. or related Food Service Job Experience.
• Must acquire and maintain a Food Handlers Card, Alcohol Awareness Certification, and other required compliance training.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, management staff and guests in a clear, business-like and respectful manner which focuses on generating a positive enthusiastic and cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.