Senior Café and Community Engagement Manager

Job Details

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

Department: Facilities & Event Services

Time Type: Full time

Job Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Modality: Full On Campus Presence

Union: SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

Summary

The Senior Cafe and Community Engagement Manager in the Bridge Café is responsible for the strategic oversight, daily management, and financial sustainability of the Bridge Café, a student-run café and social hub located in Butler Pavilion. The position ensures high-quality customer service, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while cultivating a robust student employment program that contributes to student learning and leadership development.

The Senior Café Manager supervises approximately 25–40 student employees, including baristas, shift leads, and assistant managers, and oversees all aspects of café operations including staffing, training, inventory management, vendor relations, financial management, and programming within the café space.

Essential Functions

1. Student Staff Supervision and Café Workforce Management
2. Café Operations, Inventory, and Vendor Management
3. Programming, Marketing, and Community Engagement
4. Financial Management and Budget Administration
5. Student Staff Development for the Mary Graydon Student Center
6. Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance and Operations Management
7. Division and University Support

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises approximately 25 – 40 student employees including baristas, shift leads, and assistant managers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Full-time. 35 hours per week. This position requires an in-person presence five days per week within the Mary Graydon Student Center and Butler Pavilion. The schedule may include evening and weekend hours depending on operational needs.

Salary Range

$64,074.00 - $64,900.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience in café management, food service operations, hospitality management, or auxiliary services.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience managing food service or retail operations, including demonstrated experience supervising student employees or entry-level staff.
• Experience managing budgets, inventory systems, and operational workflows is required.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• DC Food Protection Manager Certification.
• Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification accredited by ANSI.
• Valid DC Certified Food Protection Manager identification.