Associate Director of Residential Dining

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director for Residential Dining, the Associate Director for Residential Dining Operations is a key member of the Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) leadership team. This role supports the Director in providing strategic and operational leadership for residential dining operations across Harvard’s Houses, first-year residences, and the kosher dining service.

The Associate Director has primary responsibility for residential facilities management including kitchen and dining facilities and house renewal projects. In addition, the position will support the Director of Residential Dining in managing the day-to-day operational aspects of a high-quality dining service program, including business process and performance management, staffing and team development, safety and sanitation, maintenance coordination, and support for management and labor relations, and other strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

Facilities Management

Ensures that facilities are maintained in optimal condition, working closely with HUDS, FAS, and University operations and maintenance teams. Monitors equipment performance and coordinates preventive maintenance, repairs, and replacement plans. Participates in capital planning and facilities upgrades, including equipment selection, layout recommendations, and project timelines. Ensuring the physical environment reflects Harvard’s standards for accessibility, sustainability, safety, and the student experience.

Works collaboratively with the Director to provide operational input into the development of the annual capital budget and long-range facilities and equipment planning.

This position is the primary contact for all vendors related to facilities management, equipment, and kitchen renovation projects. Ensures that department and vendors are compliant with university procurement/contract policies; holds vendors accountable for deliverables and budget.

Ensures all residential dining operations comply with local, state, and federal health, safety, and sanitation regulations as well as University and HUDS standards. Oversees implementation and monitoring of food safety programs (e.g., HACCP or equivalent), allergen management practices and safe work procedures.

House Renewal

Partners with the Director, HUDS leadership and University stakeholders on House Renewal planning and execution as it relates to residential dining. Provides operational input on design, layout, equipment, and service models for renovated or new dining facilities.

Helps plan and manage transitions related to construction, temporary service locations, shutdowns, openings and seasonal or phased transitions to ensure operational readiness and continuity of service.

Leads or supports change management efforts to adapt teams, processes and service offerings to renewed spaces, innovative technologies, and evolving student needs. Participates in other strategic initiatives to enhance the residential dining experience and support Harvard’s academic and community mission.

Operational Management

Supports the Director in leading a professional service team in the overall management, preparation, and delivery of residential meal service in full compliance with all food and occupational safety regulations and customer service expectations. Ensure that operations across residential dining halls and the kosher dining hall provide excellent food quality, service, hospitality, and operational efficiency.

Oversees day-to-day operations of residential kitchens and dining rooms to ensure consistent execution of menus, service standards, and program goals. Develops, implements, and refines standardized operating procedures for residential dining, including production, service, inventory, and waste management.

Analyzes operational performance (e.g., participation rates, food and labor costs, waste, customer satisfaction) and recommends process improvements. Supports menu execution and production planning to align with budget targets, dietary needs, and program objectives, in collaboration with Culinary Operations and other stakeholders.

Ensures that all work units are complying with HUDS and University sustainability goals and programs. Encourages the identification and implementation of technology and systems solutions to improve efficiency and data-driven decision making.

Develops and maintains positive working relationships with House administrators, Faculty Deans, tutors, and other University stakeholders to ensure that Residential Dining supports the overall House experience and academic mission.

Fiscal Management

Supports the Director in promoting the financial viability of Residential Dining operations by developing, managing, monitoring, and analyzing the annual operating budget-including establishing and tracking food and labor cost goals-while ensuring all financial reporting and record-keeping comply with university standards and policies, and by encouraging creative approaches to improved financial performance such as cost-reduction initiatives, waste reduction, and process improvements.

Employee and Labor Management

Manage a direct staff to include Floating Unit Managers and floating hourly staff. Ensures proper scheduling of floating staff, provides clear expectations, and fosters an environment of two-way communication/feedback. This position is responsible for the management and training of staff.

Supports the Director in providing leadership and direction to a diverse team of both exempt professionals and a non-exempt, unionized workforce. Helps foster a positive, collaborative working environment that promotes open communication, consistency, fairness, inclusion, and opportunities for continuous learning while achieving the vision and mission of HUDS and the University.

Supports the Director in providing feedback and consistent visibility in work units. Assists managers with day-to-day operational decision-making, problem-solving and coverage needs

Supports the Director with recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention efforts. Ensures that performance expectations, work rules, policies, and procedures are clearly communicated and reinforced through regular coaching and mentoring. Assists with performance management, including preparation of performance reviews and follow-up development plans.

In collaboration with Human Resources and Labor & Employee Relations, helps ensure that employment practices comply with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and all University personnel policies and procedures by providing guidance and coaching to managers on employee relations, performance management, discipline, and conflict resolution, while also participating, as directed, in investigations, grievance hearings, arbitrations, contract implementation, and other labor-related or employee relations activities, and assisting with the development and implementation of new policies, procedures, and training programs for HUDS and Residential Dining.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience
• Operational knowledge of industrial kitchen equipment and end-to-end food service workflows, with a strong focus on safety and sanitation

Additional Qualifications

• Extensive, progressively responsible experience in food service or hospitality management, ideally in a university, large-scale residential, or multi-unit environment.
• Proven business acumen with strong skills in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and human resource management.
• Experience managing facilities projects and vendors.
• Demonstrated success managing day-to-day operations with disciplined control of labor, food cost, inventory, and other expenses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) and comfort working with data, reports, and operational systems.
• Experience with food service technology and computerized menu management systems (e.g., FoodPro, Kronos or similar), and ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Proven leadership ability managing multiple units and diverse teams in a unionized, demanding environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to build strong relationships with staff, students, faculty, and campus partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• High level of professionalism, ethics, and integrity, with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, sustainability, wellness, and the mission of the University.
• Ability to obtain ServSafe certification within six months and to work nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call as needed.

Emergency Status Designation: Essential Personnel

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, CORI, References, Drug Test

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.