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Dining Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Unidine

Director of Dining Services

Davenport, IA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Director of Dining Services - Davenport, IA Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 5% Bonus Eligible Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence! An industry leading hospitality food service ...

Compass Group

Director of Dining Services

Davenport, IA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Director of Dining Services - Davenport, IA Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 5% Bonus Eligible Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence! An industry leading hospitality food service ...

Compass Group

Director of Dining Services

Davenport, IA

$80K - $90K/yr

Director of Dining Services - Davenport, IA Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 5% Bonus Eligible Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence! An industry leading hospitality food service ...

Compass Group

Director of Dining Services

Davenport, IA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Director of Dining Services - Davenport, IA Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 5% Bonus Eligible Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence! An industry leading hospitality food service ...

GREAT WESTERN DINING

Food Service Director

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$55K - $62K/yr

Description Great Western Dining Service is a forward-thinking food service management company that ... The Food Service Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the overall ...

Whispering Creek Senior Living

Sous Chef

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$47K - $63K/yr

Basic Term Life/AD&D * 401K Position Overview This position supports the Executive Chef or Dining Director in overseeing daily food production, while maintaining high quality of food and safety ...

New

Apple Valley Place

Culinary Director

Charles City, IA · On-site

The Culinary Director leads all dining operations including menu development, food safety compliance, budget management, team leadership, and resident engagement - while supporting Better Living ...

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All JobsDining JobsDining Director JobsDining Director Jobs in Iowa

Dining Director information

See Iowa salary details

$30.5K

$69.2K

$110.8K

How much do dining director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for dining director in Iowa is $69,235.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,200.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a dining director do?

A Dining Director oversees the daily operations of dining services in facilities such as restaurants, hotels, senior living communities, or schools. Their responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring food quality and safety, budgeting, menu planning, and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. They also coordinate with vendors, handle customer feedback, and ensure compliance with health and nutrition regulations. Effective Dining Directors have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills to provide excellent dining experiences.

What are some common challenges a dining director faces when managing a large dining operation?

A Dining Director often navigates challenges such as balancing budget constraints with maintaining high-quality food and service, coordinating schedules for a diverse team, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Additionally, adapting menus to meet changing dietary needs and preferences while maintaining operational efficiency can be demanding. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to respond quickly to unexpected issues, like supply shortages or staff absences, are essential for success in this role.

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

AspectDining DirectorFood Service Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in hospitality, management, or related field; certifications like ServSafe are commonOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like ServSafe are also common
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple dining locations or large-scale food service operations, often in institutions or hospitality settingsManages daily operations within a single restaurant, cafeteria, or food service unit
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in hospitality, healthcare, and large institutional settingsCommon in restaurants, cafeterias, and smaller food service operations

The main difference between a Dining Director and a Food Service Manager lies in scope and setting. Dining Directors typically oversee multiple locations or large-scale operations, requiring broader management skills and often higher credentials. Food Service Managers focus on daily operations within a single establishment. Both roles require food safety certifications and management experience, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dining director?

A Dining Director should possess strong leadership abilities, food service management experience, and typically a degree in hospitality or culinary arts. Familiarity with food safety regulations, inventory management systems, and budgeting software is often required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to motivate staff are crucial for excelling in this role. These skills ensure efficient dining operations, high customer satisfaction, and compliance with industry standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Dining jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Dining jobs in Iowa are:
What job categories do people searching Dining Director jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Dining Director jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Dining Director jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Dining Director job openings:
Dining Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dining Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $69,235 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Director, Dining Services

Clarke Community School District

Osceola, IA • On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Position Type:
Food Service
Date Posted:
7/20/2026
Location:
Clarke Community School District
Date Available:
08/10/2026
Closing Date:
08/17/2026
Click here to apply Careers At Compass Group
Chartwells K12
Salary: $55,000-$60,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Annual bonus incentive up to 20%, Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, 401K, PTO
Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visitwww.ChartwellsK12.com.
Job Summary
DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES - Clarke Community School District, Osceola, IA
As the Director of Dining Services, you will play a key role in launching and managing our newest dining account within the K12 sector. This position combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences that consistently exceed client expectations. You will drive operational excellence, strengthen client relationships, and champion culinary innovation, ensuring every aspect of service reflects the highest standards of quality.
Leading a passionate and collaborative team, you will foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and teamwork as you bring this new account to life. From menu development to service execution, your guidance will set the benchmark for excellence while driving performance and customer satisfaction across the district. Your leadership will empower the team to deliver outstanding results and create dining programs that truly make a difference.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of frontline associates.
  • Drive strategic initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profitability.
  • Recruit, train, and develop top talent within the organization.
  • Own the annual budget and control costs optimally.
  • Ensure adherence to quality, safety, and sanitation standards.
  • Build strong relationships with clients, customers, and associates.
  • Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Associate's degree in Nutrition/Management/Hospitality/Culinary preferred or equivalent experience.**
  • Three (3) plus years of foodservice management experience.
  • Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed services experience.
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
  • Proficiency in computer skills.
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to communicate in Spanish in a professional work environment preferred

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!
Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
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.
Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

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/wpcontent/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_ChartwellsK12.pdf
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Req ID: 1531483
Chartwells K12

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