Director of Campus Dining

Director of Campus Dining

Director of Campus Dining

Position Name

Zest Culinary Services

Company

At a Glance

Here is some basic information about this Position:

Position Location

Thomasville, GA

Job Type

Full Time

Remote Type

Onsite

Job Description

Director of Campus Dining

Location: Thomasville, Georgia

A regional contract food service company is seeking an experienced and energetic Director of Campus Dining to lead dining operations at a mid-sized college in Thomasville, Georgia.

This position offers an excellent quality of life, following the college academic calendar with opportunities for flexible time off and dedicated planning periods during holiday breaks and summer months.

Position Summary

The Director of Campus Dining is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and administration of the college's dining program, including daily meal service, catering operations, special events, financial performance, and team development.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with experience managing both front-of-house and back-of-house operations in a high-volume food service environment. This individual will be passionate about higher education dining, committed to team development, and capable of leading through accountability, delegation, and positive engagement.

Working closely with the Executive Chef and campus leadership, the Director will ensure exceptional guest experiences while maintaining operational excellence and financial accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and administrative oversight for campus dining operations
• Onboard, train, develop, and supervise management and hourly team members
• Collaborate with culinary leadership on menu planning and program development
• Coordinate and oversee catering services and special campus events
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards
• Manage payroll, inventory, purchasing, invoice processing, billing, and financial reporting
• Develop and maintain strong client and campus relationships
• Monitor operational performance and achieve budgeted financial goals
• Foster a positive, team-oriented workplace culture
• Communicate professionally and effectively with students, team members, faculty, and administration
• Identify opportunities to enhance dining services and student satisfaction

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of food service management experience in higher education dining or a similar high-volume environment
• Strong knowledge of both front-of-house and back-of-house operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive results
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, inventory management, and administrative functions
• Creative approach to food presentation, merchandising, and service execution
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and food service management systems
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and work ethic
• Hospitality, Business, Culinary, or related degree preferred
• ServSafe Manager Certification required

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Quality-of-life schedule aligned with the academic calendar
• Flexible time-off opportunities during academic breaks
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Comprehensive benefit packages

Benefits

Our company is proud to offer the following benefits to our employees:

• Milestone Service Awards
• Access to Pay During the Pay Period
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• 401k with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Mental Health Benefits
• Disability Insurance
• Professional Development & Support