Assistant Manager, Annenberg Dining Hall

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) seeks an Assistant Manager to lead a residential dining operation, delivering a welcoming, diverse, and sustainable dining experience for students and faculty.

You will oversee staffing, training, and quality assurance, ensuring safe, clean facilities and excellent customer service. Strong communication and collaboration with stakeholders are essential for success in a dynamic campus setting.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal).
• Ability to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience leading a front-of-house/hospitality team and coordinating across shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead non-exempt service staff to deliver an extraordinary hospitality experience.
• Monitor inventory and cost with FoodPro; ensure assets are well maintained.
• Coordinate with HR and HUDS management to comply with union agreements and policies.
• Provide hospitality training and mentoring to staff and ensure high service standards.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Hospitality knowledge

Education

Associates or Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management or related field

Tools

Kronos timekeeping

FoodPro Menu Management

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

A world class University sets the table for living and learning engagement by providing a hospitality experience that fosters community, prioritizes health, cultural connection and religious sensitivity, challenges food systems convention, and relentlessly innovates.

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) advances the mission of Harvard University through its multiple food and beverage venues on campus. The Residential Dining program, central to Harvard’s House Life and the hub for community building, literally sets the table for the kinds of connections that uniquely happen over a shared meal. Undergraduate dining halls serve as a student’s home kitchen, where they experience personalized hospitality and familiarity to support their individual needs. HUDS’ Residential Dining program seeks an Assistant Manager who enjoys creating a welcoming dining environment that celebrates diverse, delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food. Beyond simple foodservice, HUDS undergraduate dining halls are spaces for student and faculty engagement and advocacy, celebrating diversity and inclusion through shared food experiences, and developing solutions to global food systems challenges through real-world applications. The Assistant Manager is an ambassador for those values in our dining operations.

Reporting directly to the Unit or General Manager, the Assistant Manager provides support and oversight to the dining operation. in the Assistant Manager works to ensure that all aspects of the business (includes catering and board program as applicable) are executed smoothly, providing maximum customer satisfaction to students, Faculty Deans, faculty and University guests; while also facilitating a unified, mutually supportive team of exempt and non-exempt employees in the delivery of a delicious, welcoming experience for our guests.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Operational Management

Lead and inspire a team of non-exempt service staff in the overall management of a residential dining operation providing an extraordinary hospitality experience which exceeds customer expectations while fully complying with all food quality and cost standards and occupational safety rules and regulations.

• Ensure high standards are consistently met via the implementation of all HUDS and University quality assurance policies and procedures related to food, sanitation, equipment and facility maintenance and management, safety, etc.
• Assist with the monitoring FoodPro menu and inventory management system including, but not limited to: ensuring cost control and mitigation of loss prevention, completion of weekly inventory audits; maintenance of appropriate inventory levels based on menu needs, etc.
• Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships within the community, where all perspectives on food are celebrated and supported. Provide outstanding customer service and ensure specialty diets and other nutritional needs are met.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment and related physical space (i.e.: dishwasher, ovens, refrigeration, exhaust, etc) is operational and in good repair. Alerts manager of needed repairs.
• Ensure Unit’s physical plant is clean, organized and in good repair. This includes, but is not limited to: walls, ceilings, floors, storage and receiving areas, servery, kitchen space, dining rooms, etc.

Employee and Labor Management

Lead non-exempt workforce.Develop and maintain a positive and collaborative working environment that promotes, open communication, consistency, fairness and opportunities for continuous learning while achieving the vision and mission of HUDS and the University.

• Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with front line service staff via regular meetings, two-way communication, timely feedback, collaboration, and consistent visibility in the work unit.
• Assigns and directs the work of a team of hourly and temporary staff to ensure the delivery of excellent service. Addresses staff performance and recommends/delivers corrective actions as needed.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with Union Shop Stewards.
• Interview candidates and hire based on approved staffing pattern. Complete probationary employee evaluation form as required.
• Provide hospitality training and mentoring to the team and exemplify the highest standards of customer service, care and respect, fr both co-workers and guests.
• Ensure performance expectations and work rules are clearly communicated and implemented via regular coaching, mentoring and regular staff meetings.
• In collaboration with Human Resources and HUDS Management, ensures employment practices are compliant with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and all University personnel policy and procedures.
• Ensure Kronos timekeeping system is accurately and regularly maintained. Process timecards and absence requests in a timely manner and per HUDS policy and procedure. Use Kronos Dialer to fill open shifts in compliance with the Union Local 26 Contract and HUDS policies

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
• Subject to wet floors, temperature extremes, and excessive noise
• Standing and walking for significant amounts of time is necessary

Physical Requirements:

• Position frequently involves long hours and widely diverse duties
• Must be able to lift (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bend, stoop and perform other physical exertion
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Associates or Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management or related field preferred
• Previous financial and human resource management experience in a food industry environment.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and applications as needed.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays and be on‑call as needed.
• Experience with the sale and execution of catered events.
• Experience managing in a unionized environment.
• Knowledge of Kronos timekeeping software or similar system.
• Knowledge of FoodPro Menu Management system.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Strong communication (verbal, written, interpersonal) skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Good professional judgment and ability to independently make sound business decisions.
• Skilled at addressing a variety situations and negotiating successful outcomes with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Must be adaptable to a frequently changing environment and ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Works professionally, ethically and with integrity; uphold the vision and mission of HUDS and the University.
• A passion for food and knowledge of current food trends.
• Ability to become ServSafe Certified within six months of employment.

Certificates and Licenses:

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, Drug Testing, Criminal, MVR, and References

Other information:

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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 056. 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.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.