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USD Catering is proud to be the university's exclusive caterer. Our nationally recognized, award-winning program delivers excellence and quality. Whether your function is a continental breakfast for fifteen, a gala dinner for a thousand, or anything in between, we will deliver a caliber of food and service that is sure to please. 

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

This is a part-time temporary, non benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of December 20, 2025. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.

The Sales Associate is charged with administratively supporting the Sales Manager in growing Catering sales by responding to leads, building proposals, supporting existing clients, formulating sales strategies with the Sales Manager, and communicating and presenting product value to clients. The Sales Assistant has strong organization and proactive skills, and thrives in working closely cross departmentally.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist team in meeting and exceeding agreed upon monthly targets, and annual goals, as well as hitting closing ratios.
• Reach out in a timely fashion to inbound leads to take care of or set up a call with Sales Manager.
• Assist Sales Manager with defining the client’s vision and needs in order to generate positive results for events.
• Always thinking of how to add additional value to client experience.
• Fostering of vendor/ venue relationships.
• Onsite at agreed upon events to increase client experience and add value.
• Assisting with tours of venues, as needed.
• Part of the team to oversee and manage the phone schedule, act as first to answer the phone, the majority of each day. Inclusive of transferring calls to the appropriate person, receiving deliveries, greeting guests.
• Oversee and manage the general company email, and respond to all emails, including before and after business hours to maximize guest experience/ service.
• Produce accurate proposals, thorough beo’s and details for drop odd and full service events, and see events through to final execution and payment. Including all menu signs, timelines, event binders, both digital and printed.
• Ordering and management of all 3rd party and external rentals, including, but not limited to, equipment, linen, floral/decor, audio visual, entertainment, etc.
• Coordinate with necessary departments and review the details of the BEO’s with the Event Manager to ensure the event will be executed as the guest has agreed upon.
• Input of menus into our Catering Software.
• Be a positive influence and continue growing oneself and the team in personal and professional development.
• Make suggestions on improvements for the Sales team to enhance client experience on scheduled basis. Participate in weekly sales meetings and weekly 1-1 meetings as needed.
• Adherence to all company policies & procedures.

Special Conditions of Employment: Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1 year sales support experience.
• Minimum 1 year Hospitality/Customer Service experience.
• Exemplary planning and time management skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize daily workload.
• High level verbal and written communications skill

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Team Player. Able to work closely with both sales and operations team.
• Positive, can do attitude, ready to troubleshoot at all times.
• Proactive. Forecasts situations before they happen.
• Planner. Enjoys planning.
• Dedicated.
• Hard worker.
• Strong communication skills. Proficient in general writing and business emails.
• Tactful confidence.
• High Adaptability.
• Prioritization. Strong ability to understand and shift urgent needs vs future.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Empathetic.
• Strong sense of follow through.
• Approachable.
• Respectful of positions.
• Dependable & reliable.
• Willingness to learn.

$20-$22 Per Hour

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Note: Preference will be given to qualified current University of San Diego employees.

Hours: 20

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.