Director Of University Dining

Reporting to the assistant vice president for student life/senior director of university housing & dining, the director of university dining is responsible for the leadership, direction, planning, and coordination of an extensive, complex, self-operated dining program comprised of three residence hall marketplaces, 14 cafes and convenience stores throughout campus, and an in-house catering/banquet operation—together serving over three million meals annually. The director provides comprehensive strategic direction for university dining, coordinated with the strategic plans of university housing and dining, the division of student life, and the University of Iowa. The director ensures that exceptional products and services are available to meal plan holders and other customers; develops and maintains industry-leading programs focused on student well-being through nutrition, menu development, and educational events; and creates a culture of engagement and community within the residence hall dining marketplaces. As a leader in fostering an outstanding student experience, the director utilizes dining as an educational tool to provide diverse culinary offerings to students, expanding their palate, and broadening their understanding of foods and customs of different cultures.

The director of university dining leads, motivates, and supports a dynamic staff of 168, including seven direct reports, manages a student staff of over 1,000, and administers an annual operating budget of approximately $33 million.

This position is eligible for a combination of on-campus and remote work. Remote work must be performed at a location within the state of Iowa and comply with the remote work program and related policies.

About University Housing & Dining

University housing and dining (UHD) is committed to fostering the academic, social, cultural, and personal growth of residents through the teaching of life skills and responsible citizenship. UHD excels as a campus leader in making all residents and guests feel welcome on campus and is committed to investing in students and facilities while delivering quality services and maintaining competitive rates.

Mission statement

Dining homepage

Housing and dining organizational chart

University dining organizational chart

About The Division Of Student Life

The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreation Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting inclusive educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom. One of our division priorities is to advance UI’s goals to recruit and retain U.S. racial/ethnic minority (URM) staff and students.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, restaurant/hotel management, business administration, or related field OR an equivalent combination of education and related hospitality and supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of event management processes and activities; ability to plan, organize, and execute events and coordinate resources before, during, and after an event.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through appropriate communication methods and behaviors.
• Ability to work and collaborate with a variety of individuals and groups while appreciating the unique contribution of diverse individuals.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, and the ability to adjust to develop self to prepare for new and changing assignments, processes, people, or priorities as organizational needs dictate.
• Extensive experience with electronic food service systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain ServSafe certification.
• Experience (typically a minimum of 7 years) of progressive, full-time food service management experience, including supervisory and administrative experience.
• Commitment to deliver excellent customer service and to meet or exceed customer service needs.
• Commitment to and alignment with the values of the Division of Student Life, including a demonstrated active commitment to excellence through diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working with a collective bargaining unit.
• Master’s degree in business administration, hospitality, or related field.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing financial resources for a multimillion-dollar operation.
• Experience in a higher education environment with knowledge of university business procedures, policies, and practices.
• Experience in a variety of food service operations, including all you care to eat dining operations, multi-unit retail food service operations, a variety of banquet and catering options, including off-premises catering experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive.)
• Comprehensive understanding of food preparation, methods, techniques, and terminology used in food service operations.

Application Details

Please attach a resume and position-specific cover letter as part of the application process. The search firm of Spelman Johnson will begin the review applications on May 19, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. Applicant credentials are subject to verification. Nominations for this position may be emailed to J. Scott Derrick at [email protected]. Applicants needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Melanie Bell at [email protected].

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Admin Services Director
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

• Starting Salary Minimum: $120,000.00
• Pay Level: 7A

Contact Information

• Contact Email: [email protected]
• Organization: Student Life
• Contact Name: Melanie Bell