Description:

Director of Dining Services for University Housing

University Housing, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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University Housing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accepting applications for the position of Director of Dining Services for University Housing. The Director of Dining Services for University Housing is a full-time, 100% academic professional appointment within University Housing at the University of Illinois. The Director is responsible for leading the undergraduate residence halls dining operations including coordination and planning of the board contract program, six dining centers, six retail locations, warehouse and a food truck; and the University Catering operation with typically 8,000 contracts annually. The Director oversees fiscal planning and administration for all University Housing Dining Services operations, catering operations, Housing Food Stores, athletic dining, and other campus agreements or partnerships. The Director must be knowledgeable of industry trends, place sustainability as priority, and provide direction for timely and innovative solutions to meet the needs of an ever-changing customer base.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds who can help create and foster communities that strive toward our vision. This includes supporting the academic mission of the University by developing environments conducive to student learning and academic success, respecting, appreciating, and advocating for the diversity of our student population, and supporting the holistic development of all of our students.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Dining Services (Unit) Leadership and Supervision:

• Provide direction and leadership for a diverse and comprehensive residential dining and catering operation through the following services: undergraduate residence halls dining services, University Catering on campus and in the community, and Housing Food Stores.
• Manage a large and complex staff, which employs over 250 full time employees, including staff from four (4) different union-represented groups, and approximately 1,200 students; employees include professional and specialized staff.
• Participate in and assist with union contract negotiations.
• Oversee performance management, training, and hiring practices for Dining Services. Supervise, direct, recruit, train, and evaluate dining leadership team.
• Establish and maintain a respectful, diverse work environment
• Oversee menu planning, creation and implementation of orders, inventory control, establishment and maintenance of customer relations in all dining units.
• Manage emergency protocols related to building and staffing emergencies. Serve in a crisis management role when required.
• Establish and maintain a food service operation with high standards for responsive customer service, respectful of the diverse resident, customer, and staff populations.

Budget Management:

• Administer an annual operating budget of approximately $40 million which includes advising and participating in Long Range Facilities Master planning related to dining projects and equipment.
• Works collectively within University and departmental policies to establish and achieve operational and fiscal goals; set standards for practice and establish policies and procedures for all Dining Services operations. Hold staff accountable, in conjunction with University Housing Business Services, for accounting practices and control of all cash handling functions in accordance with University and departmental policies.
• Provide supervision and direction for all fiscal matters including: contract rates, budget preparation, retail pricing.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration:

• Provide leadership and insight to the strategic direction of University Housing. Serve as a member of the University Housing Executive Team. Lead and serve on strategic working teams and/or projects.
• Maintain good rapport with employees, customers, other administrative and academic departments, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
• Work with staff from other University Housing units to determine and plan dining facilities renovations and improvements including the purchase of equipment.
• Manage campus and community collaborations such as athletic dining, food pilot lab, student sustainable farm, etc.
• Work with University Housing and other campus stakeholders to maintain and increase efforts in sustainability.
• Review programs and services periodically; and when necessary, develop new products and services to meet needs of students, faculty and staff.
• Contribute to successful occupancy numbers through the promotion of meal plans, providing exceptional customer service, innovative product delivery, and proactive responses to customer needs and trends in the industry.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:

• Required: A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, hotel and restaurant administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Preferred: A master’s degree in hospitality management, hotel and restaurant administration, business administration, or a related field. Additional applicable certifications, including but not limited to, food sanitation, allergen training, or chef certifications.

Experience:

Required:

• Eight years of experience in a senior management position is required.
• Experience and knowledge of sound fiscal management methods and a demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge.
• An ability to understand diverse employee needs, knowledge to administer and ability to exercise sound

• personnel management, including setting supervisory expectations.

Preferred:

• Experience running a large comprehensive multi-unit food operation in a university environment. Experience in a University setting that includes academic and non-academic personnel policies and rules; Civil Service statutes and rules; labor relations; union contract negotiations.
• A proven ability to be creative with food and service, including menu management and catering; possess knowledge in presentation and merchandising of food.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and application of federal and state public health rules and regulations governing food service sanitation, safety, health and labor laws.
• Knowledge of computer applications and other technologies applicable to the food service industry.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill base in the area of customer service.
• Demonstrated sound oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals, customers, and stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and an ability to apply high standards of quality food preparation and service.
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of techniques for testing and evaluating food products, recipe standardization and evaluation techniques.
• Knowledge of food specifications development; of food purchasing methods and regulations; of food service warehousing and inventory management.
• Understanding of food service equipment layout and design.
• Experience developing strong successful teams.

Environmental Demands: Many situations that arise do not fall into a specific guidelines/category and the nature of Housing services imposes a quick turnaround time. This often creates a stressful environment. Good judgment, confidence, firmness, confidentiality, tact, patience, understanding of the importance of inclusivity in a diverse work environment, and the ability to maintain a calm and pleasant demeanor are necessary. Most work will be accomplished in a typical office but will include frequent visits to different dining facilities, other offices on campus, and high level administrator hosted events. Some travel may be required. Travel for professional development opportunities may be available. Hours of work are as necessary to accomplish the position’s assigned responsibilities and include some evenings and weekends. Work is performed in a high visibility environment with constant interruptions.

This is a full-time, 12 month position. The starting date will be as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes an excellent benefits package. For full consideration, create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references by May 28, 2019.

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis once the search opens, but no final decision will be made until after the closing date. Please contact a member of the Housing Human Resources team at careers@housing.illinois.edu with any questions you may have.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

College Name or Administrative Unit:University Housing Category:2-Administrative Title:Director of Dining Services for University Housing - University Housing (112227) Open Date:04/12/2019 Organization Name:FS Admin