Reporting to the General Manager, the Assistant Manager provides daily operational leadership for a high-volume dining hall within Hospitality Services. This position is responsible for supporting all aspects of front-line operations including staff supervision, scheduling, training, guest service, food quality, and compliance with safety and sanitation standards.
This role is considered essential staff and is required to report to work during curtailment, emergencies, or weather-related closures to ensure continuity of food service operations. The Assistant Manager plays a key role in maintaining a high-performing team environment, ensuring consistent service standards, and supporting the overall success of dining hall operations.
Duties/Responsibilities
Staff Leadership & Supervision (35%)
Supervise operating, adjunct, and student staff in daily dining hall operations
Develop and communicate semester, daily, J-Term, and summer schedules
Assign roles and responsibilities and provide real-time direction during service
Coach, manage, and discipline staff as needed
Participate in and oversee annual performance evaluations.
Hiring, Training & Development (25%)
Coordinate student employee hiring, onboarding, and scheduling (100-150 student employees annually)
Schedule and participate in interviews for student, operating, and adjunct staff
Complete hiring documentation including hiring tickets, I-9s, and coordination with international student services as needed
Develop training materials and standard operating procedures
Lead onboarding and ongoing training to ensure quality, safety, and service standards
Operations & Service Management (20%)
Ensure food quality, presentation, and service standards are consistently met or exceeded
Monitor meal periods through observation, communication, and food tasting
Address guest concerns, service issues, and equipment problems in real time
Communicate menu changes and operational updates to staff
Support production and service need as required based on business demand
Labor, Financial & Administrative Management (10%)
Manage daily and weekly labor tracking using scheduling and timekeeping systems
Approve and correct timecards and ensure accurate payroll processing
Assist in controlling food cost, waste reduction, and sustainability targets
Support use of labor management tools to maintain budget compliance
Compliance, Safety & Facility Standards (10%)
Ensure compliance with all safety, sanitation, and operational policies
Oversee cleanliness and housekeeping standards throughout the facility
Maintain adherence to state and local health codes
Address and correct safety or sanitation issues as identified
Requirements
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:
Associate's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field
Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale dining or food service operations, ideally within higher education or multi-unit environments.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, financial management, and cross-functional leadership.
Experience with technology-based food service platforms and data-driven performance management.
Required Licenses & Certifications:
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong understanding of multifaceted food service operations, including high-volume dining environments
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop diverse teams including student employees
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with a guest-focused mindset
Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with food service or labor management systems
Ability to make operational decisions in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
Ability to adapt to changing operational needs and schedules
Other Requirements:
Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, holidays, and peak service periods
Ability to perform physical job duties including standing for extended periods and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs
Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-volume food service environment
Must be able to respond to operational needs during emergencies or campus curtailments
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in collegiate or institutional dining operations
Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills preferred
Experience managing large student employee workforces
Experience with labor management, scheduling, and timekeeping systems
Additional food safety or hospitality certifications beyond ServSafe
Applicant Instructions:
Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)
Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Compensation Pay Range:
$45,790.00 - $81,530.00
The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources
Location:
Durham