Director Dining Services

Compass Group USA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Voluntary Benefits (Critical Illness,

Job summary

Restaurant Associates in Seattle is seeking a Director of Dining Services to lead all dining operations, including catering and events, while ensuring exceptional service, food quality, and client satisfaction.

The role oversees daily operations, financial performance, team leadership, and client relationships, with a hands-on, strategic approach to delivering a premier dining experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of food service management experience, ideally in corporate dining, contract services, or high‑volume hospitality.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Strong background in catering, special events, and high-volume food production.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage competing priorities, and execute key initiatives.
• Proficiency in using Google products including Hangouts, Gmail, calendar, docs, spreadsheets, and sites.
• ServSafe certification preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• A passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including dining services, catering, and special events.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and employees to ensure outstanding service and satisfaction.
• Partner with the Executive Chef and culinary team to develop and implement seasonal menus and innovative culinary programs.
• Manage all financial aspects of the operation, including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period-end close.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen standards while promoting a culture of safety.
• Conduct daily pre-service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management of dining associates.
• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews, providing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Drive customer engagement through marketing initiatives, menu innovation, promotions, and catering events.
• Maintain high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining areas.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Customer service

Communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or related field

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

• We have an opening for a Director of Dining Services position.


• Location: Seattle, WA


• Schedule: Monday - Friday (6.30am - 4.30pm)


• Pay Range: $95k - $110k

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards-Best Places to work This is R/A !

Position Summary:

The Director of Dining Services is responsible for leading all aspects of dining operations within a corporate, contract services, or high-volume hospitality environment, ensuring exceptional service, food quality, and overall client satisfaction. This role oversees daily operations, financial performance, team leadership, and client relationships. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on leader with a passion for food service excellence, team development, and creating an engaging and welcoming dining experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including dining services, catering, and special events.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and employees to ensure outstanding service and satisfaction.


• Partner with the Executive Chef and culinary team to develop and implement seasonal menus and innovative culinary programs.


• Manage all financial aspects of the operation, including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period‑end close.


• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen standards while promoting a culture of safety.


• Conduct daily pre‑service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.


• Lead recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management of dining associates.


• Conduct mid‑year and annual performance reviews, providing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.


• Drive customer engagement through marketing initiatives, menu innovation, promotions, and catering events.


• Maintain high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field preferred.


• 3–5 years of food service management experience, ideally in corporate dining, contract services, or high‑volume hospitality.


• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.


• Strong background in catering, special events, and high-volume food production.


• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage competing priorities, and execute key initiatives.


• Proficiency in using Google products including: hangouts, Gmail, calendar, docs, spreadsheets, and sites.


• ServSafe certification preferred.


• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.


• A passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Associates at RestaurantAssociates are offered many fantastic benefits.

Both full‑time and part‑time positions offer the followingbenefits to associates:

• Retirement Plan


• Associate Shopping Program


• Health and Wellness Programs


• Discount Marketplace


• Identity Theft Protection


• Pet Insurance


• Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

In addition, full‑time positions also offer the following benefits to associates:

• Medical


• Vision


• Life Insurance/AD


• Disability Insurance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Abides by all Company policies and procedures including but not limited to:

• The use of a medium weight cut gloves when handling or using knives, peelers, choppers, mandolins or cleaning a slicer.


• The use of oven mitts, fryer gloves or steamer gloves when handling hot pans from ovens, warmers or steamtables.


• The use of slip‑resistant shoes and proper lifting techniques.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.