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Associate Director Dining Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary Working as a Senior Director of Dining Services (Sr DDS) , you will manage multiple K12 ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Programs * Discount Marketplace * Identity Theft ...

Job Summary Working as a Senior Director of Dining Services (Sr DDS) , you will manage multiple K12 ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Programs * Discount Marketplace * Identity Theft ...

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Associate Director Dining information

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$27K

$141.2K

$310.5K

How much do associate director dining jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director dining in the United States is $141,209.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $212,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate director of dining do?

An Associate Director of Dining oversees the daily operations of dining services in institutions such as universities, hospitals, or corporate campuses. They are responsible for managing staff, ensuring food quality and safety, budgeting, and implementing customer service standards. Additionally, they collaborate with vendors, develop menus, and ensure compliance with health regulations. Their role is essential in providing a high-quality dining experience while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate director of dining?

To thrive as an Associate Director of Dining, you need expertise in food service management, budgeting, and staff supervision, often supported by a degree in hospitality management or a related field. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food safety certifications (like ServSafe), and inventory management software is crucial. Outstanding leadership, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help drive team performance and ensure guest satisfaction. These capabilities are essential for maintaining operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and a high-quality dining experience.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate director of dining, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Directors of Dining often face challenges such as balancing cost control with maintaining high food quality, managing diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. To address these, it's important to foster open communication with staff, implement efficient inventory and scheduling systems, and stay updated on the latest industry standards. Proactive leadership and strong collaboration with chefs, service staff, and facilities teams can help maintain smooth operations and deliver an excellent dining experience.

What is the difference between Associate Director Dining vs Food Service Manager?

AspectAssociate Director DiningFood Service Manager
CredentialsBachelor’s degree, industry certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentLarge dining operations, institutional settingsRestaurants, cafeterias, smaller dining facilities
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, universities, corporate diningRestaurants, catering services, hospitality
Role FocusOversees multiple dining locations, strategic planningManages daily operations, staff supervision

The Associate Director Dining typically oversees multiple dining facilities, focusing on strategic management and operations, often in institutional settings. In contrast, a Food Service Manager handles daily restaurant or cafeteria operations, staff, and customer service. While both roles require industry knowledge and certifications, the Associate Director Dining operates at a higher strategic level within larger organizations.

What cities are hiring for Associate Director Dining jobs?

Cities with the most Associate Director Dining job openings:

What states have the most Associate Director Dining jobs?

States with the most job openings for Associate Director Dining jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Director Dining jobs?

For Associate Director Dining jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

DIRECTOR DINING SERVICES - Rockford University CAMPUS DINING - Rockford, IL

Rockford, IL • On-site

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Position Title: DIR, DINING SERVICES II- Rockford University CAMPUS DINING - Rockford, IL
Salary: $80,000-85,000
Other Forms of Compensation: RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
Fresh Ideas Management is a dynamic food service management company that believes good food is a powerful thing. Food brings people together and food creates memories.
Fresh Ideas encourages creativity by creating fun working environments for our teams! Our diverse teams enjoy a workplace where creativity, openness and innovation flow free and new, Fresh Ideas are encouraged. Our team-members are excited about creating delicious, unique and engaging dining experiences for our guests.
Fresh Ideas offers a full benefits package, flexible schedules that respect one of our core values, work life balance, and ongoing training and development opportunities. This, along with our rapid growth, means accelerated promotion opportunities for every motivated Fresh Ideas team member!
Job Summary
FRESH IDEAS is hiring an energetic and growth-minded Director of Dining Services on the campus of ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY! This key leadership position is directly responsible for the successful operation of Campus Dining Services and Catering. The Director ensures client, customer service/satisfaction with efficient cost effective management that both meets and exceeds stated expectations. They are responsible for all foodservice-related activities; including safety, quality improvement, sanitation, infection control, and all client-related activities.
If you're looking for a place that blends affordability, outdoor beauty, and an emerging food and culture scene, Rockford could be an unexpectedly compelling choice. If you love nature, trails, parks and easy access to the outdoors, Rockford has you covered. From the award-winning Anderson Japanese Gardens - a serene 12-acre Japanese style garden in town - to nearby state parks for hiking, paddling, biking, the setting is surprisingly rich. Although mid-sized, Rockford's proximity to major hubs is a plus. You get the quieter lifestyle of a smaller city but still within reach of larger metro areas, which means access to extra amenities, travel, or employment options without paying big-city prices. Rockford may surprise you if you're a foodie. The local dining scene spans beloved burger-and-shake spots, global cuisine, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. The city is undergoing a revitalization: downtown galleries, coffee shops, breweries, food markets, and independent shops are popping up. Whether you're into art walks, live music, exploring new restaurants or simply strolling new neighborhoods, there's a lot here to engage your lifestyle.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Manages salaried managers and hourly associates in the Food Service Department
  • Oversees the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the account
  • Interviews, hires, and trains associates; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; rewards and disciplines associates; addresses complaints and resolves problems
  • Prepares and manages annual budget
  • Utilize company systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, cash reports, production records, payroll/time-keeping, etc.
  • Oversees and participates in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in adherence to company food standards for preparation, presentation, sanitation and safety (meeting HACCP and OSHA guidelines) and portion control
  • Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Degree plus four years of directly related experience preferred
  • Five to seven years of direct foodservice operational management experience with inventory and purchasing knowledge and control
  • Strong knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Previous P&L accountability in COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY dining contract-managed service experience
  • Strong supervisory, leadership, management and coaching skills
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to communicate on various levels to include management, client, customer and associate levels
  • Excellent financial, budgetary, accounting and computational skills
  • Proficient computer skills to include; various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e-mail and the Internet
  • ServSafe® Certified

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry
Associates at Fresh Ideas are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FreshIdeas.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Fresh Ideas maintains a drug-free workplace.

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