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Hiring: Director of Dining Services at Amherst College

Director of Dining Services
Dining Services at Amherst College

Full-time, year round position with benefits, six-figure salary commensurate with experience.
The Director of Dining Services will provide strategic vision, business execution, and innovative leadership to the institution’s food program. This role will oversee all managerial and operational responsibilities associated with a program that encompasses residential dining, retail, catering, and special events. These include, but are not limited to, responsibility for fiscal management, compliance with department and College policies, and the enforcement of regulations mandated by local, state and federal agencies in regard to food safety, health and sanitation.
Reporting to the Chief of Campus Operations, this position will have or develop key relationships with current and prospective external industry professionals, trade associations, and organizational partners. The Director of Dining Services has significant interaction with faculty, staff, students, and parents, and works directly with several other departments including Admissions, Finance, Information Technology Services, and Facilities. Leading a team of six (6) direct reports and almost 200 indirect reports including departmental supervisors, culinary staff, service staff, students, and part-time employees, this individual will support a diverse workforce and participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming professional environment.
The work schedule will vary according to the College’s operational needs. As Dining Services is central to student life, needs occur at a variety of times throughout the day, week, and year and in such, a flexible schedule is required.

Key Responsibilities
Operational
• Effective fiscal management and planning techniques to meet the business goals and budget objectives of a $10M operation
• Negotiation and accountability of contractual agreements
• Strategic direction to enhance sales, service, marketing, and facilities
• Critical analysis of overall department performance and reporting against key industry metrics
• Establish and maintain process, protocol, standards, and policies as they relate to the department
• Build collaborative relationships with administrative offices, department heads, deans, faculty, students, student committees, employees, and alumni.
• Lead Amherst Dining’s commitment to healthy and sustainable meal options
• Develop, enhance and maintain departmental safety standards and emergency management systems including long-term food storage, emergency menus, and water supply
Programming
• Integrate Amherst’s own Book and Plow Farm into the dining program and culture, including crop planning, staff skills training, and co-curricular programming with academic and student organization liaisons
• Ensure an evolving and exciting calendar of special events, celebrations, culinary competitions, and more
• Exercise an entrepreneurial spirit and approach to shaping future elements and offers of the program
Staff Management
• Oversee talent acquisition including writing and reviewing job descriptions and promoting postings
• Provide objective performance management targets and constructive feedback
• Build employee relations and facilitate conflict resolution
• Assist with employee professional development including training, coaching and re-enforcement of standards and campus food culture
• Design and deliver opportunities to increase staff productivity and morale
• Create and maintain a positive work environment where employees are valued and recognized for their service
• Foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace
Other
• Perform additional duties/functions as requested, such as external representation of the college at industry and academic conferences

Qualifications Required:

• Compelling combination of formal education and food service industry experience (e.g. Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality/restaurant management and/or seven (7) or more years of progressively higher levels of managerial/administrative responsibility and accountability, preferably in a collegiate setting or other high-volume, institutional food service/hospitality operation)
• Strong business acumen and budget/financial management
• Understanding of facilities planning and maintenance
• Culinary insights to inform menu development, sourcing, and food marketing
• Talent management experience including attracting, developing, motivating and retaining a high-performing, diverse team
• Target-setting, initiative implementation, and performance tracking
• Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Proactive and creative problem solving to meet dynamic food program demands
• Clear and professional, verbal and written communication skills for a variety of settings including internal team facilitation, customer interaction, public speaking, and social media
• Highly developed computer skills including extensive experience using Microsoft Office Suite, email and web applications, as well as an interest in and ability to learn new programs
• Use of event management software, enterprise software, and other software and office equipment to effectively complete tasks, coordinate group needs, and manage projects
• Current ServSafe Manager Certification or ability to achieve within (6) months of employment
• Allergen Awareness or the ability to achieve within (6) months as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Preferred
• Professional training in nutrition, sustainability, food systems, agriculture, public health or other related field
• Proficiency in a second language
• Valid driver’s license

Interested candidates should submit electronically to https://apply.interfolio.com/40962 a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (e-mail and/or telephone number) for three professional references. Review of applications will begin March 20, 2017 and continue until the position is filled. For information on benefits, please visit this site.
Amherst College is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply. The College is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.

Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college’s community is composed of about 1,800 students from 49 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst a great place to work, learn and live!

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