Associate Director, Dining

Strategic Planning

• Develops and implements short and long range operating plans for 25+ student dining locations, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Student Unions and Senior Director, Business Operations.
• Oversees financial performance for assigned dining units, including monitoring shrinkage and waste, point of sale practices, cost of goods sold, labor utilization and other controllable expenses to meet revenue and margin targets.
• Partners with marketing staff to support campaigns for dining programs and reviews performance reports to adjust offerings as needed.
• Lead student dining with sustainability initiatives including waste reduction and foreseen packaging, in partnership with campus partners and community stakeholders to incorporate those goals into operational plans.
• Evaluates and recommends merchandising, product mix and service concepts for all assigned locations to enhance the customer service experience and drive revenue.
• Provides strategic and operational oversight for student dining programs within auxiliary services, ensuring alignment with university priorities, student engagement, and revenue goals.
• Directs multi-unit dining operations, including residential, retail, and franchise locations; ensures consistent execution of service and operational standards.
• Collaborates with senior leadership on dining concepts and menu strategies aligned with student preferences and campus trends.
• Oversees inventory, procurement, and food production systems to ensure efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Monitors vendor and franchise compliance with contractual, brand, and service standards.
• Manages operating budgets; analyzes financial performance and implements actions to meet revenue and cost targets.
• Uses performance metrics to improve operational efficiency, cost control, and customer experience.

Employee Relations

• Provides leadership and operational direction to managers and staff across student dining locations, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and service expectations.
• Leads unit managers in the implementation of service models, menu execution, pricing strategies, and effective use of facilities, equipment, and dining technologies.
• Leads staff development initiatives for career and student employees, including coaching, training, and performance development to support operational effectiveness and employee growth.
• Ensures completion of required training programs and effective utilization of dining systems and technologies (e.g., FoodPro, Agilysys).

Communication

• Serves as a key liaison with campus partners and clients to align dining services with university needs and enhance awareness and utilization of student dining programs.
• Participates in executive and divisional leadership forums to communicate operational priorities, provide updates, and contribute to strategic planning and decision-making.
• Recommends and implements operational practices, concepts, and policy improvements to enhance service delivery and program effectiveness.
• Ensures consistent communication with dining leadership and staff regarding expectations, priorities, and operational updates.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of job functions and industry best practices, techniques and standards.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and application of complex principle, theories and concepts to peers.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrated knowledge, cost, and food items, food service equipment, and supplies.