Dining Manager, Cornell Dining

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University invites applications for a Dining Manager within the Student & Campus Life division located on campus in Ithaca, NY. The role oversees daily dining operations, ensures high standards of food quality and service, and mentors staff to uphold safety, sanitation, and guest satisfaction.

The position requires an associate degree in culinary arts or related field and at least two years of food service experience, with strong communication skills and knowledge of health codes.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in culinary arts, food service, hospitality management, or business management (or equivalent).
• Two years of food service experience or equivalent education/experience.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of applicable food and health codes.
• Ability to understand and navigate cultural differences.

Responsibilities

• Foster a welcoming, service-focused environment and build relationships with campus partners.
• Maintain a consistent management presence to ensure facilities are clean, safe, and guest-ready.
• Provide hands-on training, daily coaching, and motivation to the team.
• Understand key financial indicators and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Lead regular shift meetings and manage staffing levels to meet needs.
• Model adherence to Dining and University policies and standards.
• Balance guest experience with operational priorities and timelines.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Verbal & written communication

Food safety & health codes

Cultural awareness

Food service experience (≥2 years)

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts / food service / hospitality management / business management

Tools

None

Job description

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As part of SCL, Cornell Dining is comprised of more than 30 on-campus eateries, including multiple all-access dining rooms, cafés, coffee shops, food courts, retail convenience stores, concession stands, a restaurant, and catering services. From crafting holiday-themed meals to chef surprises and dining room special events, the Cornell Dining team of more than 400 skilled culinarians and front-line associates, and 600 student employees work hard every day to offer a variety of fresh and healthy food from all over the world. Cornell Dining’s mission is a commitment to Nourishing the Future: both for our guests and for our team. This is accomplished with a team-oriented and customer service mindset, and an emphasis on training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities for our entire organization.

The Dining Manager, working in close collaboration with a Sr. Dining Manager, will play a key role in delivering an exceptional dining experience while ensuring the assigned all‑you‑care‑to‑eat unit(s) meet operational and financial goals. This position provides daily oversight of menu execution, product quality, and visual presentation, ensuring that every meal period reflects high standards of freshness, consistency, and guest satisfaction. The Dining Manager is also responsible for supporting staff training and ongoing skill development, reinforcing proper food safety, sanitation, and quality‑assurance practices to maintain a safe and compliant operation. In partnership with the Sr. Dining Manager, the Dining Manager will actively coach employees on the floor, offering real‑time feedback that strengthens performance, builds confidence, and supports professional growth. Through intentional leadership, the Dining Manager helps cultivate strong teamwork, effective communication, and a positive environment where all staff feel valued and empowered to contribute to the success of the unit.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

A successful Dining Manager will:

• Foster a welcoming, service‑focused environment by building strong relationships with campus partners and ensuring excellent food and beverage service, including prompt responses to concerns.
• Maintain a consistent management presence to ensure facilities remain clean, attractive, safe, and fully prepared for guests and staff.
• Engage actively with staff, providing hands‑on training, daily coaching, and motivation to support strong performance and a productive team culture.
• Understand key financial indicators and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, manage costs, and strengthen overall profitability.
• Support regular shift meetings and help ensure daily staffing levels meet operational needs.
• Uphold Dining and University policies by modeling consistent, positive adherence and reinforcing standards across the team.
• Effectively manage competing priorities by staying organized and maintaining focus on both guest experience and operational needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in culinary arts, food service, hospitality management, or business management, and/or at least two years of food service experience or a combination of education and experience.
• Technical/computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite productivity tools.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of applicable food and health codes.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Unit assignments and schedules are likely to change. Individual must be able to work varied and extended hours, including nights, weekends, and some holidays .

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional professional or educational experience, preferably in a high‑quality collegiate dining program.
• Familiarity with board plan operations and menu cycles.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.

University Job Title:

Dining Assoc I

Job Family:

Auxiliary Services

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$65,447.00 - $75,632.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-10-13