Campus Dining GM: Lead Teams & Elevate Student Experience

Chartwells Higher Education; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chartwells Higher Education is seeking a General Manager to lead and develop management, culinary, and frontline teams across residential dining, retail locations, catering, and events on our campus operations. You will serve as the primary liaison with clients and campus stakeholders, drive operational excellence, manage budgets and KPIs, and ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.

The role demands strategic leadership, strong communication, and the ability to balance client

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education preferred.
• Food Safety Certification required or willingness to obtain.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership in food service or related setting.
• Experience leading large, complex operations with multiple service areas.
• Experience in higher education, hospitality, healthcare, or contract food service is a plus.
• Strong budgeting, labour cost, and KPI management demonstrated.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop management, culinary, and frontline teams.
• Oversee all dining services operations (residential, retail, catering, events).
• Serve as operational liaison with clients and campus stakeholders.
• Drive food quality, service, merchandising, sanitation, and hospitality.
• Monitor student dining experience and drive improvements.
• Manage financial performance: revenue, labour, food costs, budgeting.
• Review reports, identify trends, implement corrective actions.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting with district and finance.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Team development

Communication

Problem solving

Financial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Client relationship management

Operations management

Education

Post-secondary education in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Food Service Management, Culinary Management, or a related field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Operational reporting systems

Job description

Chartwells Higher Education is seeking a General Manager to lead and develop management, culinary, and frontline teams across residential dining, retail locations, catering, and events on our campus operations. You will serve as the primary liaison with clients and campus stakeholders, drive operational excellence, manage budgets and KPIs, and ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.

The role demands strategic leadership, strong communication, and the ability to balance client