Campus Dining Director: Strategy, Service & Innovation

Pomona College; Claremont (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Pomona College is seeking a Director of Dining Services to lead a comprehensive, student‑centered dining program across multiple venues. You will shape distinctive dining identities, drive innovative concepts, and ensure sustainability and financial discipline.

You will manage staffing, purchasing, food costs, scheduling, safety, facilities, technology, and budgets with data‑driven decision making, while collaborating with students, faculty, and campus partners to elevate the dining experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in hospitality/restaurant management, business, or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of leadership in large, multi‑unit dining or food service.
• Experience leading frontline teams and managing budgets, procurement, inventory, and reporting.
• Bilingual English and Spanish is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear direction to a large, diverse workforce in a collective bargaining environment.
• Recruit, onboard, coach, and develop leaders and staff across culinary, service, catering, admin, and support functions.
• Build strong relationships with employees and set standards for performance, conduct, attendance, communication, and service.
• Coordinate staffing plans and schedules that align with service needs and labor obligations.
• Plan and lead a comprehensive meal program across dining, retail, cafés, catering, and events.
• Monitor food quality, service, sanitation, merchandising, and equipment conditions.
• Oversee menu development and program design addressing diverse tastes and dietary needs.
• Develop and implement budgets, cost controls, inventory, and reporting; ensure financial performance.

Skills

People leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Project management

Ethics and integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality or restaurant management, business, or a related field

Job description

Pomona College is seeking a Director of Dining Services to lead a comprehensive, student‑centered dining program across multiple venues. You will shape distinctive dining identities, drive innovative concepts, and ensure sustainability and financial discipline.

You will manage staffing, purchasing, food costs, scheduling, safety, facilities, technology, and budgets with data‑driven decision making, while collaborating with students, faculty, and campus partners to elevate the dining experience.