Dining Services Directors lead food service operations and shape the dining experience across settings such as hospitals, senior living communities, universities, corporate campuses, hotels, and other hospitality organizations. They oversee teams, budgets, service standards, and day-to-day operations while ensuring meals are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with the needs of the people they serve. Explore Dining Services Director opportunities on Ladders, including vetted professional roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by employer, but typically include managing dining and catering operations, developing budgets, monitoring costs, hiring and coaching staff, and setting service and quality standards. Directors may coordinate menu planning, purchasing, inventory, vendor relationships, food safety practices, and customer feedback. In healthcare and senior living, they may also collaborate with clinical and nutrition teams to support residents’ or patients’ dietary needs.
Employers commonly seek leaders with experience in food service, hospitality, institutional dining, or multi-site operations. Valuable strengths include team leadership, financial and operational planning, communication, customer service, and knowledge of food safety requirements. Some positions may prefer a degree in hospitality, food service management, business, or a related field, along with relevant certifications or experience in a regulated setting.
Dining Services Directors can find opportunities in healthcare systems, assisted living and senior care, colleges and universities, schools, hotels, resorts, corporate dining, and contract food service companies. The scope of the role depends on the organization: some directors manage one location, while others oversee multiple sites, large teams, or broad regional operations.
Find leadership roles that align with your experience, preferred work setting, and career goals. Browse Dining Services Director jobs on Ladders to discover vetted opportunities paying $100,000 or more and take the next step in your food service or hospitality career.
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's committed to environmental excellence, leading compliance for airport projects. Oversee assessments, manage permits, and ensure adherence to regulations while integrating sustainabi...
Yesterday
$157K - $262K *
Drive enterprise vendor management strategy by overseeing vendor relationships, governance, and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, optimize costs, and enhance o...
1 week ago
$88K - $129K *
Drive impactful sales initiatives and strengthen key retail partnerships through strategic planning and execution, leveraging analytical insights to foster business growth and enhance customer relatio...
3 weeks ago
Medium Enterprise Regional Sales Director - Healthcare
$174K - $261K *
Lead a dynamic sales team driving strategic growth in health care markets. Utilize your deep experience in sales and leadership to coach and mentor Account Executives on complex sales cycles, position...
Reposted yesterday
Children's Behavioral Health Training Operations Manager
$83K - $110K *
Lead operational excellence by managing complex training programs and enhancing processes for a statewide initiative, ensuring effective communication and client engagement while fostering a high-perf...
Reposted today
$125K - $150K *
Champion a robust security program, leading a team to achieve SOC 2 Type 2 attestation while ensuring secure engineering practices across diverse products and cloud environments. Drive compliance, ris...
1 week ago
Operations Specialist (Senior Living)
$140K *
Lead operational excellence across Independent Living communities, ensuring continuity during transitions. Drive financial performance, enhance resident satisfaction, and support community teams while...
6 days ago
Manager, Medical Detention Operations
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to improving healthcare delivery in detention facilities. As a key leader, you will oversee operations, ensure compliance, and drive quality improvements across multiple l...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager II, Facilities Management
$106K - $160K *
Innovate project management strategies for design and construction initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance facility development and maintai...
1 week ago
$116K - $174K *
Elevate regulatory strategies for global product approvals and compliance. Lead negotiations with authorities, manage complex projects, and drive innovative solutions to ensure successful market intro...
1 week ago
Federal Agencies Director (Washington DC)
$135K - $218K *
Optimize federal agency programs by leading strategic initiatives that enhance relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and driving advocacy efforts across mu...
Yesterday
$150K - $180K *
Drive strategic sales initiatives across multiple regions, managing a team to achieve $90M revenue goals. Analyze market trends, develop sales plans, and foster key customer relationships to enhance b...
2 weeks ago
Associate Director, Service Center Rate Analysis & Compliance
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in strategic oversight of service center rate analysis and compliance, ensuring financial sustainability and adherence to federal regulations while collaborating with academic and admi...
6 days ago
Health and Human Services Senior Consultant
$80K - $135K *
Lead the charge in human services policy consulting to enhance operations and compliance for government agencies. Utilize expertise in federal regulations and stakeholder engagement to provide actiona...
3 weeks ago
Director, Operations PMO & Manufacturing Network Optimization
$154K - $232K *
Shape the future of operations by leading enterprise-wide transformation and optimizing manufacturing networks. Drive cross-functional initiatives, establish governance, and ensure effective change ma...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Director Government Programs
$154K - $196K *
Unlock potential by leading strategic government programs, managing P&L, and driving operational excellence. Oversee contract delivery, mentor staff, and foster client relationships to ensure growth a...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Lead strategic business growth in the USA, focusing on market entry, key relationships, and executive negotiations. Build and manage a high-performance team while driving revenue and enhancing overall...
Reposted today
$125K - $135K *
Champion revenue growth by leading centralized sales efforts, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with sales processes. Drive results in Group, Catering, and Business Travel while collaborating w...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion operational excellence by leading CFS initiatives, coaching managers, and driving performance metrics to enhance profitability and customer satisfaction across the organization...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower learning development by designing impactful training solutions that meet business and organizational needs while enhancing employee capabilities. Collaborate cross-functionally and manage proj...
4 weeks ago
Director Human Resources - Packard Medical Group
$186K - $242K *
Elevate HR strategies to enhance physician engagement, recruitment, and retention while ensuring compliance and fostering a high-performing culture across a multi-site pediatric medical group...
3 weeks ago
$203K - $305K *
Elevate your career by leading medical affairs strategy and evidence generation. Collaborate across divisions to enhance product safety, innovation, and clinician education while guiding a team of Med...
Today
Chief Growth Officer/Chief Partnerships Officer (Title TBD)
$170K - $187K *
Drive growth by transforming demand into a sustainable revenue model, leading partnerships and marketing strategies while building systems for repeatable success in a dynamic, mission-driven environme...
Today
Assistant Regional Maintenance Manager
$140K - $150K *
Lead the charge in optimizing maintenance operations across multiple distribution centers, ensuring reliability and efficiency in a dynamic 24x7 logistics environment while driving performance and cli...
4 days ago
Consulting Director - Healthcare Revenue Cycle
$185K - $225K *
Accelerate your career by leading revenue cycle improvements for healthcare organizations. Drive compliance, enhance financial performance, and foster collaborative teams to achieve impactful client o...
2 weeks ago
What does a Dining Services Director do?
A Dining Services Director oversees food service operations, including staff, budgets, service quality, purchasing, and food safety. Depending on the workplace, the role may also involve menu planning, catering, and coordination with nutrition or clinical teams.
Where do Dining Services Directors work?
They work in settings such as hospitals, senior living communities, universities, schools, hotels, resorts, corporate dining programs, and contract food service organizations.
What qualifications are typically required for Dining Services Director jobs?
Requirements vary, but employers often look for leadership experience in food service or hospitality, operational and budget management skills, and familiarity with food safety standards. Some roles prefer a related degree or professional certifications.
How much do Dining Services Directors earn?
Compensation varies based on location, organization, scope of responsibility, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; review individual listings for salary and benefits details.
What skills are important for a Dining Services Director?
Important skills include team leadership, budgeting, operational planning, vendor and inventory management, customer service, communication, and maintaining food quality and safety.