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Dining Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Covenant Living

Director of Dining

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

The Dining Director has oversight of day-to-day operations; Delivers high quality food service; Ensures resident satisfaction with overall quality of Dining program; Achieves company financial ...

Covenant Living

Director of Dining

Northbrook, IL · On-site

The Dining Director has oversight of day-to-day operations; Delivers high quality food service; Ensures resident satisfaction with overall quality of Dining program; Achieves company financial ...

Viva Senior Living

Dining Services Director

Harrisburg, PA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY: · The essential functions of the job for the Dining Director, requires, and may be amended from time to time at the sole discretion of Viva Senior Living to include, but are not ...

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$32.5K

$73.7K

$118K

How much do dining director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for dining director in the United States is $73,712.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $90,000.00 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, and why are they important?

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.
More about Dining Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Dining Director jobs? Cities with the most Dining Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Dining jobs? The most popular types of Dining jobs are:
What states have the most Dining Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Dining Director jobs include:
Dining Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dining Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,712 per year, or $35.4 per hour.
Dining Director/Executive Cheff

Dining Director/Executive Cheff

Primrose Retirement Communities

Lancaster, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Primrose Retirement Communities rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 228 rated social care providers

Job description

Primrose Retirement Communities began over 30 years ago with a simple mission - to honor our seniors by offering a variety of healthy, happy lifestyle options.
By getting the right people on the team at all levels of the organization and by making work fun, we will create a culture where the best people will want to work, residents will want to live, and the core values of Accountability, Relentless Improvement, Embrace Change, Respect and Passion are embraced.
What we offer:
  • PTO (Paid Time Off)
  • Various coverage levels for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
  • 401k Retirement plans plus a generous company match
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Company paid Life Insurance

And best of all, you get to work with our amazing STAFF and RESIDENTS!
Primrose Retirement Communities is hiring a Dining Director/Executive Chef to be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day food service operations for the community and create a delightful dining experience for all residents and guests. The Dining Director/Executive Chef will be responsible for managing vendor relationships, menu planning, and talent development within their department.
More about the position responsibilities:
  • Creates and follows written recipes and prepares high-quality delicious, quality, and nutritious menu options.
  • Develop menus and special meals for residents.
  • Maintains dietary staffing and staff development, including but not limited to:
    • Determines staffing requirements necessary to meet the dietary department's needs.
    • Interview and hire new dietary employees.
    • Trains new staff in the kitchen.
    • Conducts in-person performance review evaluations.
    • Determines merit increases and promotions, in line with budget and community guidelines.
    • Provides termination recommendations and addresses work-related issues and disciplinary actions under the supervision of the Executive Director.
  • Manages all aspects of the kitchen including all personnel and each cooking station.
  • Ensures costs are allocated to the appropriate GL Codes and the kitchen budget is in line with Primrose expectations.

What we're looking for:
  • Bachelor's degree in hospitality or culinary preferred.
  • Three to five years of experience from food service operations is required.
  • Sanitation Certified (ServSafe) or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of hire.
  • High volume production and catering experience is essential.
  • Previous experience in menu development.
  • Knowledge of budgets, food and labor costs and inventory control.
  • Strong organizational, leadership, coaching and training skills.
  • Flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
  • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, at times.

To learn more about this position, and more great opportunities, please visit us at: https://primroseretirement.com/primrose-careers-culture/
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