Syracuse University

Director of Campus Dining

Syracuse University$112K — $120K *
Hospitality & Recreation
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management or 15+ years of related experience.
  • 10+ years in high-quality multi-unit college/university food services.
  • Experience in high-volume food service operations.
  • Must motivate staff to provide safe, nutritious meals while staying compliant with health standards.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of current food service trends and systems.

Responsibilities

  • Administer and strategically direct all dining operations across multiple locations.
  • Ensure compliance with budgetary and quality standards while supporting operational procedures.
  • Collaborate with chefs and support services for menu development and overall food management.
  • Innovate and create new dining themes and marketing strategies to engage students.
  • Support athletic dining needs and collaborate closely with sports nutrition experts.
  • Develop and recommend strategic plans and budgets for dining operations.
  • Organize and implement comprehensive training programs for staff across dining locations.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a vibrant campus environment.
  • Engagement with a diverse student population.
  • Collaboration with culinary and academic leadership.
  • Potential for innovation in campus dining programs.
  • Focus on quality and safety in food services.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
042734

Department Code
33000-7361

Department
Office of Chief Operations Officer

Job Title
Director of Campus Dining

Location
Syracuse, NY

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Commitment to On-Campus Experience

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range
$112,500 - $120,000

Pay Determination

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

The Director of Campus Dining will have ultimate responsibility for university residential dining hall services, retail dining services, including the Schine Center and campus cafes, and athletic dining. The Director will strive to meet student needs, control costs, drive revenues, work with the culinary leadership to constantly innovate and market effectively to the students. This role will provide tools and training to effectively implement a strategic vision for Syracuse University's Campus Dining operations.

The Director will be expected to engage with students, campus and culinary leadership and centralized operational support services to execute menus that students value and that speak to our commitment to providing an outstanding student experience. The Director will also be expected to provide resources to support hitting quality and financial targets in each location.

Education and Experience
  • Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management or related field or 15+ years of related experience.
  • Experience in a high-volume multi-unit operation.
  • Must be able to teach and motivate supervisory staff, bargaining unit employees, student management, student employees, and temporary staff, to provide safe, nutritious meals for student customers, all while keeping industry, state and local health/sanitation standards.


Skills and Knowledge
  • Prior experience (10+ years) running high-quality food service in a multi-unit, high-volume college/university food services dining program, inclusive of residential and retailing dining.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food service trends.
  • Understanding on how to create systems to manage and systematize at scale.


Responsibilities
  • Administer and strategically direct the operational activities of all residential and retail dining locations, which currently include 6 residential dining centers, Schine Center, 13 cafes and 3 convenience stores.
  • Ensure compliance with budget, quality guidelines, safety and standard operating procedures.
  • Work with Executive Chef and Centralized Support Services (bakery, commissary, warehouse, purchasing, registered dietitian, marketing, ITS, finance) to develop appropriate menus, direct food purchases, monitor inventory, forecast future purchases in food management system software and maintain current sales while creating strategies to also enhance sales.
  • Develop new and exciting themes and concepts, engage students, monitor and maintain budgetary goals and leverage marketing to communicate and promote.
  • Support the Athletic Dining team to vision, support and fulfill needs of student athletes, performance nutritionists, and sports trainers
  • Develop strategic plans and budget recommendations, leverage hiring and retention strategies, maintain records, review, and adjust staffing and scheduling models and labor budgets and assess food costs to achieve budget and food waste goals.
  • Review and approve payroll.
  • Develop training programs for all levels of Dining operations.
  • Organize training sessions that ensure all employees receive and synthesize training.
  • Organize train the trainers for other departmental directors so they effectively and correctly communicate to their staff.
  • Ensure training programs are created in dining standards, customer service, hospitality, awareness of food allergies, cross contact, proper food handling and cooking techniques.
  • Meet individually and as a team with management members to define operational standards, goals and objectives.
  • Pro-actively provide recommendations on future enhancements to the campus dining program.
  • Engage with all customers and assure employees do the same.
  • Collect feedback and utilize to identify program enhancements.
  • Collaborate with University leadership and student support services, offices and programs to drive student participation, engagement and satisfaction.


Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/112810

Job Posting Date
04/22/2026

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 1870 and has since grown to become one of the largest universities in the United States. Syracuse University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields including business, engineering, law, and the arts. The university is known for its strong programs in communications, architecture, and social sciences. Syracuse University is committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in their chosen careers.
Learn more about Syracuse University
Size
15,000 employees
Industry

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