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.
Regional Sales Director-California Region
$125K - $150K *
Develop and implement sales strategies to drive growth and profitability in the California region. Lead a Business Development team, ensuring alignment with company goals while fostering strong relati...
3 days ago
Senior Accountant, Primary Care
$78K - $107K *
Drive financial integrity by managing complex accounting tasks, preparing reports, and influencing departmental strategy. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and accuracy while providing valua...
Yesterday
District Sales Manager, Aftermarket - Los Angeles, CA
$90K - $100K *
Advance aftermarket sales by developing strategies, nurturing distributor relationships, and driving product conversions. Leverage technical expertise in the pool industry to achieve growth and foster...
3 weeks ago
Associate Director - Energy Providers Puerto Rico
$125K - $150K *
Transform the energy landscape by leading strategic consulting engagements for utilities. Drive impactful solutions in decarbonization, grid modernization, and customer transformation while mentoring...
2 weeks ago
District Manager-Northeast Region-Virginia
$132K - $171K *
Transform the sales landscape by leading a dynamic team, driving results through strategic coaching, and enhancing engagement with Eye Care Practitioners to achieve growth and innovation in the health...
6 days ago
Deal Advisory Director (Healthcare)
$192K - $334K *
Tackle complex healthcare M&A engagements, leading due diligence efforts, and collaborating with clients and teams to drive value. Manage multiple projects while utilizing your expertise to influence...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$88K - $95K *
Drive operational excellence by leading projects across teams, enhancing efficiency, managing stakeholders, and ensuring timely delivery. Collaborate within a dynamic environment dedicated to improvin...
3 weeks ago
Pricing Strategy Director, AI Ecosystem Partners
$157K - $175K *
Partner with us to shape bold commercial strategies that elevate complex deal execution and drive growth across strategic accounts, fostering cross-functional collaboration and customer-centric soluti...
Reposted yesterday
Associate Director, Patient Services and Distribution Case Management - Great Lakes/Northeast Region
$145K - $195K *
Engage with patients and healthcare providers to streamline access to therapy. Collaborate with internal teams and specialty pharmacies to resolve reimbursement issues and enhance patient support. Dri...
1 week ago
$84K - $126K *
Champion international research initiatives by leading grant development, partnerships, and communications for an open-science program. Ideal for a PhD graduate eager to transition from bench science...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Lifecycle Marketing
$150K - $180K *
Lead and innovate Dropbox's lifecycle marketing strategy, enhancing customer engagement and retention. Manage a team to develop impactful programs that drive adoption and revenue across diverse custom...
Yesterday
Senior Business Development Representative (BDR)
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovative outreach strategies as a Senior Business Development Representative, engaging leads and nurturing relationships to accelerate the sales pipeline. Collaborate with a dynamic team while...
Today
$70K - $110K *
Join a team that's dedicated to supporting disaster recovery efforts. Collaborate with leadership and clients to navigate complex recovery operations, ensuring effective management of multi-billion do...
Today
Senior Project Manager, PDS Projects
$120K - $132K *
Take ownership of multiple projects across various phases in financial services, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and stakeholder satisfaction while leading cross-functional teams and drivi...
1 week ago
Director of Business Process Excellence
$155K - $205K *
Champion process excellence by optimizing workflows and driving cross-functional improvements. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate service quality throu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Clinical Conduct
$90K - $110K *
Empower cross-functional teams to drive the Future of Medicine initiatives, ensuring scalable processes and compliance while enhancing patient safety and experience through strategic planning and exec...
6 days ago
Client Success Manager - WasteX
$80K - $95K *
Drive customer success by managing relationships, enhancing value, and collaborating internally to optimize operations. Leverage your expertise to create impactful solutions and foster long-term partn...
1 week ago
National Customer Business Manager- Northeast Region
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in driving sales and market growth for key Northeast accounts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer relationships and achieve profitability objectives while mana...
1 week ago
Director/Senior Director of Sales
$320K - $400K *
Join a team that's transforming utility operations through innovative sales strategies. Drive enterprise deals and shape climate resilience with executive leaders as you champion the PreventionFirst P...
3 weeks ago
Senior Program Manager, Research & Institutional Funds
$122K - $132K *
Lead the charge in managing high-impact, complex programs that drive strategic objectives across multiple departments, ensuring timely delivery and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders f...
6 days ago
Regional VP, Transportation Central PROG
$150K - $180K *
Drive operational excellence across multiple railroad properties while ensuring safety, compliance, and financial performance. Engage collaboratively with leadership teams to enhance employee developm...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Territory Sales Manager, Cleveland
$130K - $144K *
Champion growth by driving sales to independent restaurants, managing leads, and building relationships. Collaborate with peers to enhance sales strategies and deliver value through innovative technol...
2 weeks ago
$170K - $213K *
Lead the charge in advancing transformative cystic fibrosis research initiatives. Oversee grant application processes, ensure impactful projects align with mission, and engage with key researchers whi...
Reposted yesterday
Director of Clinical Quality and Outcomes (BCBA-D Preferred)
$110K - $130K *
Innovate clinical quality systems for scalable care delivery, ensuring standards meet payer expectations and driving measurable performance improvements across independent health providers...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Sr Director, Airport Customer Service Operations
$151K - $201K *
Lead the charge in enhancing airport operations and customer experience by providing strategic direction, fostering leadership development, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple stations...
2 days 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.