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Dining Services Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our Dining Services Director's do! Come join the Oxford family where our core purpose is to experience the joy of serving others and to create meaningful relationships. Our wonderful resident to ...

Dining Services Director About Cedarhurst: Cedarhurst Senior Living is a leading provider of senior living communities, dedicated to enriching the lives of residents through exceptional care and ...

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Dining Services Director information

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$32.5K

$73.7K

$118K

How much do dining services director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for dining services 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 services director do?

A director of dining services oversees the daily and long-term operations of a dining or food service facility. This job is common in large-scale food operations, such as hospital, residential, or school cafeterias, large catering services, and community outreach programs such as soup kitchens or meals on wheels for seniors. As a director of dining services, your responsibilities include administrative and managerial tasks. You hire and train new kitchen staff and other employees, schedule delivery services to residents or institutional customers, oversee purchasing orders, and direct other workers as needed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dining services director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dining Services Director, you need expertise in food service management, budgeting, menu planning, and often a degree in hospitality or culinary arts. Familiarity with food safety regulations, inventory management systems, and staff scheduling software is typically required. Leadership, customer service orientation, and strong organizational skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure efficient operations, high-quality dining experiences, and compliance with health standards in a fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a dining services director and how can they be effectively managed?

Dining Services Directors often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent food quality, managing diverse teams, and balancing budget constraints while meeting the needs of residents or customers. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, proactive communication with both staff and clients, and the ability to adapt menus or operations based on feedback and regulatory requirements. Building a collaborative team environment and investing in staff training can help address these challenges and ensure smooth daily operations.

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

AspectDining Services DirectorFood Service Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in hospitality, food service, 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 facilities, often in large institutions like hospitals, universities, or corporate campusesManages daily operations of a specific food service location, such as a restaurant or cafeteria
Employer & IndustryEmployers include healthcare, education, and corporate sectors; industry focus on large-scale food service management

The Dining Services Director and Food Service Manager roles both involve overseeing food operations, but the director typically manages multiple locations or departments, requiring broader strategic planning, while the manager focuses on daily operations at a single site. The director position often demands higher credentials and experience, reflecting its leadership scope.

What cities are hiring for Dining Services Director jobs?

Cities with the most Dining Services Director job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Dining Services jobs?

The most popular types of Dining Services jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Dining Services Director jobs?

The top employers for Dining Services Director jobs are:

What states have the most Dining Services Director jobs?

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Dining Services Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,712 per year, or $35.4 per hour.

Dining Services Director

Wichita, KS โ€ข On-site

Socket.dev
Network Securityย โ€ขย 1 - 10 employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Do you love where you work? Our Dining Services Directorโ€™s do!Come join the Oxford family where our core purpose is to experience the joy of serving others and to create meaningful relationships. Our wonderful resident to caregiver ratio helps make this mission possible!

As a Dining Service Director, your benefit package includes:

  • Medical, dental, vision, and a complimentary life insurance policy
  • 401k plan with an employer match
  • PTO for both full time and part time team members
  • Certification cost assistance
  • Yearly tenure bonus

Your Dining Service Director duties and responsibilities are as follows:

Position Summary

Residents enjoy three meals a day from a menu you create with influences new and old. This rare opportunity allows you to cook what you know, but also interact with the guests, gather old family recipes, learn their ethnicities, and create relationships. The dining service director is someone with an extensive culinary background, but also the desire and ability to flex your "Front of house" skills. Communication is a large part of this role as you will be managing not only the kitchen, but a small team that works with other departments to ensure the food, service, and dietary needs are being met.

Essential Functions Meal Planning and Coordination
  • Develop menu according to a scheduled cycle and in coordination with the dietician as needed
  • Track menu changes and food substitutions
  • Observe and communicate with residents for specific preferences and adjust menu accordingly
  • Manage food inventory, including available snacks within each memory care house, and work with food/supply provider to ensure adequate supply
  • Communicate with community team members to ensure meals are presented and served appropriately
  • Follows the budgetary expectations of the community
General Kitchen Management
  • Ensure kitchen and food preparation areas are clean and exceed regulatory standards
  • Continually monitor kitchen equipment to ensure they are in good working order and temperatures meet regulatory standards
  • Ensure food and supplies are labeled and stored appropriately
  • Maintain meal service records as required
Community Leadership
  • Oversee the day to day kitchen operations, including responsibility for assigning tasks and responsibilities for additional kitchen staff
  • Partner with the Executive Director to recommend ways to enhance the dining experience for residents
  • Responsible for the staffing of the dining room and the kitchen
  • Responsible for the recruitment, training and setting expectations for all dining services team members
Successful Behavioral Attributes at Oxford Senior Living
  • Humility: Share credit, emphasize team, and define success collectively rather than individually
  • Positive Attitude: Display a โ€œcan-doโ€ attitude focused on providing solutions
  • Initiative: Action-oriented commitment to continuous improvement in all aspects of the business
  • Emotional Intelligence: Serve the community by placing the needs of the community team members and residents ahead of your own
Minimum Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Food Handlerโ€™s certification
  • Five (5) years of successful experience providing leadership in a food service setting
  • Three (3) or more years preparing meals for large groups
  • Working knowledge of dietary requirements for seniors
  • Formal accredited culinary certification
  • Significant culinary experience may be substituted for formal education
Preferred Qualifications
  • Nutrition certification and/or training
  • Prior experience as an executive chef in an upscale assisted living community
Physical Working Requirements
  • Ability to travel using personal vehicle, including at night
  • Able to stand for prolonged periods of time while preparing meals and serving residents
  • Able to do occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
  • Able to work flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends
  • Team Member is subject to outside environment conditions occasionally, inside conditions frequently, with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature change

By joining our team as a Dining Service Director, you will be able to help us continue the vision of helping others and creating meaningful relationships. We are looking for positive and humble individuals who have initiative and emotional maturity to help us create a loving, homelike atmosphere for our residents.

Oxford Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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