"Executive Director of Dining Services"

Executive Director of Dining Services

University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia

Founded in 1830 in Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond offers a collaborative learning and research environment unlike any other in higher education, providing students with an extraordinary combination of the liberal arts, law, business, leadership studies, and continuing education. As a top-25 liberal arts university, UR celebrates the idea of a changing and evolving world and makes it its mission to prepare Spiders to lead it. The university currently enrolls approximately 3,100 undergraduates from 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 62 countries, as well as approximately 700 graduate/professional students.

The Position

Reporting to the senior associate vice president for campus operations, the executive director of dining services provides senior leadership, logistical management, and financial oversight. The role oversees the university's award-winning, self-operated food services program. This program serves a predominantly residential undergraduate campus with 4,200 students and 1,700 faculty, staff, guests, and visitors. The dining program includes the Heilman Dining Center—an all-you-care-to-eat marketplace eatery—plus eight retail dining locations, concessions, a commissary, and a catering production area. Dining Services generates revenues of over $21 million annually and employs approximately 190 full- and part-time staff members, in addition to 200 part-time student workers. The executive director is a proven leader who will actively participate in campus life and activities. They also work closely with the summer conferences program and proactively support sustainability, diversity, staff development, and engagement. Key responsibilities include identifying and successfully implementing best practices as part of all daily operations. This includes efforts in culinary excellence, customer service, nutrition education, and accountable business systems.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in foodservice, hotel/restaurant management, or business administration is preferred, or demonstrated equivalent experience in the food service industry. Ten or more years of successful, progressive leadership experience in a mid- to senior-level management position in a large-scale food and beverage operation is required. Five to seven years of experience working in a higher education setting is preferred. Qualified candidates must have demonstrated tact and diplomacy to work and lead within a University's community; the ability to apply critical thinking, exercise flexibility, and work calmly and efficiently under pressure; excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills; strong aptitude for verbal and written communication, presentation, and relationship development; effective management of diverse human resource needs; ability to identify, develop and provide work force training opportunities for staff at all levels; demonstrated understanding of special needs of customers including, but not limited, to nutrition, religious, dietary and ADA requirements; thorough knowledge of best practices in management for large quantity foodservice, catering and retail food service operations; demonstrated collaborative approach to teamwork, organization, administration, and problem solving; knowledge of financial strategies and finance-related performance metrics; excellent fiscal management skills; ability to learn and use current technologies; capacity to recognize public relations matters as they relate to the standards of the institution.

Application and Nomination

The University of Richmond has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin January 23, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/executive-director-of-dining-services/

• Contact Laura Puckett-Boler at lpb@spelmanandjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the University of Richmond website at https://www.richmond.edu/.
UR Dining Services website: https://dining.richmond.edu/