Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services · 10 hours ago
VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL INNOVATION AND STRATEGY - CHARTWELLS HIGHER EDUCATION
Charlotte, NC
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$175K/yr - $185K/yr
10+ years expChartwells Higher Education Dining Services is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience at over 300 colleges and universities across the country. The Vice President of Retail Innovation & Strategy is a senior executive leader responsible for driving revenue growth, market share expansion, and brand differentiation across the college and university retail portfolio, focusing on innovative strategies that enhance the student experience.
Food & Beverages
Responsibilities
Develop and execute long-term retail strategies aligned with corporate and campus partner goals, focusing on revenue growth, market expansion, and profitability within the college and university space
Lead growth initiatives for internal and proprietary retail brands across campus stores, markets, and c-store formats
Identify opportunities for new campus retail concepts, store formats, and non-traditional retail models that enhance the student experience and support campus life
Own the vision, strategy, and roadmap for internal retail brands and proprietary concepts within the college and university portfolio
Lead end-to-end concept development, including ideation, brand positioning, menu/assortment strategy, pricing, merchandising, and customer experience design
Partner with culinary, merchandising, marketing, design, and operations teams to bring new concepts to life and ensure successful launches
Pilot, test, and scale internal brands and concepts across campuses, using performance data and student feedback to refine offerings
Ensure internal brands are relevant to diverse campus demographics while remaining scalable, profitable, and operationally sound
Champion innovation in campus retail by identifying and implementing emerging technologies, including frictionless checkout, mobile ordering, loyalty platforms, and data-driven personalization
Drive seamless integration of digital and physical retail channels to meet the expectations of a tech-savvy student population
Partner with design and real estate teams to modernize campus retail environments while respecting campus culture, space constraints, and operating models
Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with national brands that resonate within the college and university market
Evaluate local and regional brands for potential campus partnerships, pilot programs, or integration into broader retail strategies
Partner with purchasing arm for contract writing, LOI’s and subcontracts
Balance internal brand growth with external partnerships to create a differentiated and compelling retail mix on campus
Develop a comprehensive pricing strategy for campus retail and convenience formats that balances value perception, competitive positioning, and margin optimization
Work with the strategic pricing team to leverage data analytics, consumer insights, and campus demographics to establish dynamic pricing models tailored to specific markets, store formats, and customer segments
Provide direct leadership and oversight to the Beverage & Snack Program Manager
Set the strategic direction for beverage and snack programs across campus retail locations, ensuring consistency, innovation, and profitability
Collaborate with supplier partners to optimize assortments, promotional strategies, and program execution
Optimize retail and c-store operations, merchandising strategies, and processes to drive sales, margin improvement, and consistent execution across campuses
Ensure internal brands and concepts are operationally efficient and scalable across varying campus environments
Establish, track, and analyze KPIs related to sales performance, margin, traffic, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency
Use insights to evaluate concept performance, guide innovation investment, and inform expansion decisions
Lead and influence cross-functional teams including purchasing, merchandising, culinary, real estate, design, marketing, operations, and technology
Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and campus partners, fostering collaboration, trust, and alignment
Build a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
Stay current on trends in college and university dining, retail, and student lifestyle preferences
Translate insights into actionable strategies that keep internal brands and retail concepts relevant and competitive
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, Hospitality, or related field (MBA preferred)
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail strategy, brand development, or multi-unit retail operations
Proven experience developing and scaling internal brands or proprietary retail concepts
Experience within the college and university, hospitality, or foodservice retail environment strongly preferred
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance/ AD
Disability Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
Company
Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services
As the recognized leader in the higher education contract foodservice market, and an operating sector of Compass Group North America, Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services partners with over 320 colleges and universities of all sizes across the United States.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
John Summers-Miller
Chief Financial Officer
Daisha Lahey
National Vice President Strategic Partnerships
Recent News
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