Business Manager

Job Description

Amherst College invites applications for the Business Manager position. The Business Manager is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $85,000 - $95,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The Business Manager for Dining Services provides strategic and operational oversight of administrative functions that support dining operations, including service, kitchen, catering, and retail units. This role ensures efficient business practices, regulatory compliance, and workforce support across Dining Services. The Business Manager supervises a Financial Analyst and Dining Systems Analyst and plays a key role in aligning financial, systems, and workforce processes with departmental goals. This role reports to the Director of Dining with functional supervision by the Assistant Director of Dining and is a part of the Dining Leadership Team.

This role is identified as essential personnel during campus closures or inclement weather.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Business & Operational Oversight

• Lead and manage administrative functions supporting Dining Services operations, including financial processes, systems, and workforce administration.
• Partner with dining leadership to support service, kitchen, catering, and retail operations through effective business practices and data-informed decision-making.
• Oversee and optimize operational workflows, ensuring efficiency and alignment with institutional policies.

Payroll & Workforce Administration

• In collaboration with the HR and Payroll offices, ensure payroll compliance with institutional policies and applicable labor laws.
• Support workforce planning efforts, including staffing models, scheduling considerations, and labor changes.
• Monitor and analyze workforce data to identify trends and recommend improvements.

Talent Lifecycle Management

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes for Dining Services staff.
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure timely and effective hiring practices.
• Ensure a smooth onboarding experience and proper offboarding procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all training requirements, including tracking and reporting.

Training & Compliance

• Manage and monitor training compliance across Dining Services, ensuring employees meet required certifications and institutional standards.
• Maintain knowledge of and ensure adherence to food safety regulations and standards (e.g., ServSafe, local/state requirements).
• Support audits and inspections related to food safety and operational compliance.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a key liaison between Dining Services and central administrative departments (e.g., Finance, HR, IT), while maintaining a non-HR functional role.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for direct reports.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts within Dining Services.

Financial & Systems Management

• Supervise and provide direction to the Financial Analyst and Dining Systems Analyst.
• Collaborate on budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to support operational and strategic planning.
• Ensure integrity and effective use of dining systems, including POS and operational platforms.

Project & Programmatic Support

• Provide project management and programmatic support for dining-related events across service, kitchen, catering, and retail units as needed.
• Coordinate administrative, financial, and staffing logistics to support the successful execution of events and initiatives.
• Partner and support dining leadership to ensure events align with operational goals, resource availability, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Finance, or a related field.
• 5 to 7 years of related experience.
• Experience overseeing payroll processes and ensuring compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in recruitment, onboarding, and workforce administration.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional responsibilities.
• Financial and budgeting experience.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education dining or large-scale food service operations.
• Familiarity with dining systems, POS platforms, and workforce management tools.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and certifications(e.g., ServSafe).
• Experience with workforce planning and labor modeling.
• Compliance and risk management experience.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted.