Banquet Captain

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As a division of Cornell Dining, Cornell Catering is the preferred catering service for Cornell University events and is uniquely qualified to serve the entire Cornell community and beyond. We are proud to work for Cornell and place a strong emphasis on Cornell Pride; our focus on students is one of the many concepts that differentiate Cornell Catering from other caterers. With its team of experienced professional staff, Cornell Catering is a full-service caterer that provides incredible food and beverages to guests at formal banquets for thousands, elegant weddings for hundreds, or intimate dinners for a few. Over the past thirty-five years, Cornell Catering has worked with clients to create customized events that meet specific objectives and budgets.

The Banquet Captain is entrusted to represent Cornell Catering through leading the execution of small catered events that are both important to the client and have a large impact on Cornell Catering and Cornell Dining as a whole given the diverse clientele they serve, which may include students, alumni, staff, faculty, and university leadership. This role will lead multiple facets of the operational details at these small events to ensure their success. Additionally, the Banquet captain may assist in the operational execution of much larger events as needed. In each scenario, the Banquet captain will model professionalism when engaging with clients or providing feedback to our student/part-time workforce. 

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Success Factors

• Demonstrates excellent customer service, communication, and professionalism- both internally and externally.

• Adhere to food and alcohol service standards, protocols and health codes at all times.

• Be viewed as knowledgeable to our clients and guests and able to demonstrate a skill in the management of multiple priorities at one time. 

• Maintain a positive mindset and demeanor by exhibiting a strong spirit of teamwork and cooperation when accomplishing tasks, facing challenges, and receiving/providing feedback. 

• Lead courageously by providing feedback, coaching, and training to our staff.

This is position is part of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The current rate of pay is listed in the collective bargaining agreement here: https://hr.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2023-04/uaw.pdf and starts at $26.64/hour.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma and at least three to five years of experience in a catering or food service industry or an equivalent combination or experience and education is required. 
• Basic skills in English including reading, writing, math and verbal articulation.
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong computer skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Filemaker, or similar database software, and calendar management programs.
• Must be able to lift and carry weight up to 50lbs and stand and walk for long periods of time. 

• Must possess and maintain a valid NY state driver’s license as may be required to drive catering truck on short notice.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional education and or experience
• Knowledge of proper sanitation and HACCP procedures helpful.
• ServSafe Certified preferred

No relocation assistance is provided for this position. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Food Service Worker S06

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

Level:

S06

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Shawn Ruebel

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-06