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Dining Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Herndon, VA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

You communicate with the Dining Director on prep, production and flow of service You'll be great on this team because you have: * Culinary degree or training, or experience cooking in a restaurant ...

Cook

Woodbridge, VA · On-site

$20 - $22.11/hr

You communicate with the Dining Director on prep, production and flow of service You'll be great on this team because you have: * Culinary degree or training, or experience cooking in a restaurant ...

As a Dining Services Coordinator, you lead the community's dining and hospitality operations-delivering exceptional service, high-quality meals, and an outstanding resident experience.What You'll Do:

New

Showing results 21-40

Dining Director information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$73.1K

$117K

How much do dining director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for dining director in Virginia is $73,080.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $89,200.00 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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Dining jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Dining jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Dining Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Dining Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Dining Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Dining Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Dining Director job openings in Virginia 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 $73,080 per year, or $35.1 per hour.

DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES - K-12 SCHOOLS

Chartwells K12

Amelia Court House, VA • On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Chartwells School Dining Services rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 232 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 68 rated caterers


Job description

Salary:  $70,000-$75,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly bonus, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k w/company match, and 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, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.

Job Summary

Lead Culinary Excellence in a Premier K-12 School District

Are you a passionate culinary professional ready to bring your creativity, leadership, and commitment to quality to a role that offers an exceptional quality of life? We're seeking an innovative Director of Dining Services to lead the dining program for a K-12 school district in Amelia Courthouse, VA. 

This is an outstanding opportunity for a chef-driven leader who wants to make a meaningful impact through fresh, nutritious, and exciting menus while enjoying a schedule that supports work-life balance. No nights, no weekends, and no holidays means you can continue doing what you love without sacrificing time with family and friends.

As the culinary and operational leader of the program, you'll have the opportunity to elevate the student dining experience, inspire a talented team, and bring innovative food concepts to life in a fast-paced educational environment.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Oversees all finance and budgeting as it pertains to the account.
•    Maintains excellent relationships with the client.
•    Works with the team in creating nutritious and top-quality food for the students.
•    Implements new culinary programs in conjunction with the culinary teams.
•    Acts as a liaison between the Chartwells, Client, and the community.
•    Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Associate’s degree in Culinary, Food Services Technology/Management/Hospitality preferred or equivalent experience.**
•    Three plus years of foodservice management experience.
•    Dining experience.
•    Strong leadership and communication skills.
•    Financial and strong intuition for business.
•    Excellent communication skills.

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:  1563270

Chartwells K12 

JENNIFER HILL

 [[req_classification]] 


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