Director of Dining Services

Position Number: 921911

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Anticipated Recruitment Range: $128,000 - $140,000

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Instructional & Research

Organizational Unit Overview:

The Division of Student Affairs comprises over 30 departments, each responsible for providing various student support, services, and educational programs accessible to the university community. With over 300 full-time employees and over 1200 student workers, the Division supports Pirate success through environments that enhance student development, engagement, belonging, well-being, and career readiness. The Division strives to be a national leader in developing student experiences that positively transform lives and communities through work that makes students the focal point of our services, policies, and programming; creates a community where all feel safe, included, and welcomed; treats each other with dignity and civility, and recognizes every individual has rights, ideas, and beliefs; maintains open and honest interactions, and delivers high-quality programming, services, and resources through continuous reflection and improvement.

Job Duties:

The Director of Dining Services functions within the Campus Living Unit, as part of the Division of Student Affairs. This position is responsible for the management of ECUs partnership with our food service contractor including ensuring that ECU, ECU Students and our constituents receive value from this agreement and that ECU has a marquee program with a reputation for quality, value and service.

Administration

Maintain, review and revise, in conjunction with appropriate university departments and State agencies, a master plan for the future of Dining Services needs. Ensure that present facilities meet the needs of approximately 26,000 students, in addition to staff, faculty, visitors and guests. This will require planning, renovations, program development, and concept renewals in coordination and cooperation with appropriate university departments and contracted external firms.

Oversight of the patron software for meal plans, declining balances and meal exchange management. Verify that reconciliation of the University Banner system and the meal plan system is taking place. Address and correct any issues discovered during departmental audits. Make sure all university processes are being followed appropriately as it pertains to purchases, use and surplus of university owned property and cash handling policies.

This position directly supervises a range of staff covering areas ranging from systems administration, customer service, to equipment repair.

Contract Management

This position has management of a 33-million-dollar food service contract. This includes verifying that detailed contract specifications for sanitation and equipment standards are being met; and to take action as described in the contract when such specifications are not met. This position will closely monitor the food service operations as managed by the contractor.

This position will maintain and revise as necessary, contract specifications and when needed evaluate bids and award contract though appropriate state and university procedures. Specifications include menu offering; food quality; preparation and service; sanitation; health standards and nutrition; fixed and moveable equipment specifications for repair and replacement; fiscal reporting and commission submission; and the marketing and selling of meal plans and catering.

Financial Management

The Director of Dining Services will manage the University Food Service Budget and monitor the budget of the Food Service contractor. The Director is responsible for projecting short and long-term budget needs, developing revenues to the budget through contract changes, and authorizing all expenditures. The Director is also responsible for reviewing all budget expenditures from the contractors budget and ensuring the University is receiving its appropriate commissions and fees. The Director will also make recommendations on the structure of the student meal plans and their rates.

Authorize, in liaison with appropriate university departments and agencies and/or through outside contracts, maintenance, repair or replacement as appropriate for kitchen and dining furniture and equipment. The position will also inspect and be responsible for all maintenance and repairs needed for all food service facilities.

Student Interaction

The Director will meet with student groups on a regular basis to gather feedback on the dining program. This will include but not be limited to the Residence Hall Association, Student Government Association and Resident Advisor In-Services. The Director will also form and coordinate a Student Food Service Advisory Committee that will meet regularly to discuss the current state of and future needs for dining services. The Director will address all issues that arise from student concerns that affect the department as a whole.

Marketing

The position will work with the Food Service Contractors Marketing manager and the Division of Student Affair Marketing team to create and use appropriate promotional material and advertising including but not limited to social media campaigns, ad campaigns, promotions and cooperative programming with other university departments to make the campus community aware of department services.

Other Duties

This position will also represent Campus Living on numerous campus committees, including major policy development committees such as the sustainability committee and the Student Affairs Leadership Team. Stay active and current in the food service field by attending and presenting at industry conference and serving on industry committees. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education/Experience:

Masters degree and 5 years of experience; or will accept in substitution a Bachelors degree and 7 years of experience. Experience required is in food service delivery in higher education or hotel and/or resort management. At least 5 years of experience must include supervision of full-time staff. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

N/A

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

At least 3 years of experience in the role of a senior manager for a national or regional food service vendor for operations in higher education

Special Instructions to Applicant:

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full time basis. In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Job Close Date: Open Until Filled: Yes Initial Screening Begins: 09/05/2025