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Washington and Lee University · 1 day ago

Assistant Director of Dining Services, Marketplace Operations

Lexington, VA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$77K/yr - $77K/yr

5+ years exp

Washington and Lee University is seeking an Assistant Director of Dining Services to provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for The Marketplace dining hall. The role involves overseeing staff management, menu development, and ensuring a high-quality dining experience while promoting sustainability initiatives.

Higher Education

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Provides strategic conceptualization, planning, and supervision for the Marketplace dining hall. Consistently seeks opportunities for growth and improvement in service and advances programmatic initiatives to improve the dining experience. Stays informed of foodservice industry trends and incorporates new and innovative ideas for Marketplace service and products

Provides clear leadership, training and management to The Marketplace staff. Ensures that all Marketplace staff are educated about the structure and functionality of all meal periods

Leads The Marketplace supervisors in oversight and assignment of work schedules for all utility food service workers and supporting front-of-the-house personnel. Creates schedules in coordination with Marketplace Executive Chef to ensure Marketplace staffing needs are met

Monitors employee relations within the department to ensure that all personnel are performing to their potential. Conducts routine staff meetings to ensure all personnel are informed and understand department standards, policies, and directives

Provides hands-on coaching, role modeling, coordinated trainings, and mentoring to foster team engagement in The Marketplace. Provides consistent feedback and completes team member reviews thoroughly and in a timely manner

Strategizes and implements menu formats, operating programs, and service concepts under collaborative direction of the Marketplace Executive Chef and Associate Director of Dining Services. Assists with operational aspects of developing new service areas, menus, and concepts

Monitors the overall daily upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance of The Marketplace facilities

Provides regular guidance to supervisors and other team members to ensure that Marketplace staff are on the leading edge of the college/university market; all food service staff should have the technical skill levels and resources necessary to operate a contemporary dining service program. Empowers and assists supervisors in implementing and enforcing departmental policies and standards of operation

Oversees the hiring process for vacant FOH positions in The Marketplace according to university and dining recruitment protocol. Reviews applications, conducts interviews, and works with the dining team to recruit and select candidates

Partners with Events and Conferences Coordinator to provide outstanding dining experience for summer groups and pre-season athletes returning before school starts. Coordinates hosting for special groups and visitors throughout each year

Plans the special events calendar for each year and executes a vision for each of many themed events, collaborating with the Executive Chef, Executive Pastry Chef, and sponsoring campus departments. Oversees a décor budget and purchases and maintains décor for both recurring and one-off events

Champions and spearheads sustainability initiatives, including compost and waste collection, waste reduction, energy reduction, and reusable to-go box program. Trains staff on proper related procedures

Uses approved procedures to monitor operational expenditures at The Marketplace. Reviews all financial reports with Associate Director of Dining on a regular basis

Suggests, presents, and eventually implements Marketplace capital improvement projects with Associate Director of Dining

Participates in Dining Executive Leadership meetings, contributing to overall vision and progress of Washington and Lee Dining Services. Approaches issues in the Marketplace within the context of W&L's overall dining landscape. Assists dining leadership in implementing and maintaining broadly applicable Dining programs

Works with Associate Director of Dining to establish standards for quality and service and develop short- and long-term training programs

Gathers regular feedback from The Marketplace Chefs, students, faculty, staff, and public customers to assess the quality of food and service

Liaises with the Marketplace Executive Chef and back of house staff to provide operational and personnel support as needed

This position is required to be available on the floor during peak meal times and special events to ensure operational success

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

Culinary managementSupervisory experienceServSafe CertificationEnterprise system experienceTrainingCustomer serviceEvent planningMentoring

Required

Associates degree required, Bachelor's degree and/or culinary training preferred

Five or more years of experience in food service, including supervisory responsibilities, or an equivalent combination of training and experience

Proven supervisory experience required. Ability to supervise a large staff of full time, part time, and student employees

ServSafe Certification required. Instructor/Proctor status preferred

Enterprise system experience, with preference for Workday and Blackboard Transact familiarity

Preferred

Culinary or operations management experience in a college or university setting preferred

Company

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts university in Lexington, Virginia, United States.

Founded in 1749

Lexington, Virginia, USA

501-1000 employees

http://www.wlu.edu/

H1B Sponsorship

Washington and Lee University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (8)

2024 (4)

2023 (3)

2022 (5)

2021 (4)

2020 (5)