Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management

FORDHAM University; Armonk, West Harrison, New York (NY, IN, NY); On-site; USD 119,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

FORDHAM University seeks a Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management to oversee dining contracts and enhance student satisfaction across its campuses. The ideal candidate will possess strong managerial skills and a commitment to Jesuit Education, with a robust background in dining services or contract management.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition remission

Generous time off

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of dining contract execution or business development experience.
• Knowledge of dining contracts and specifications.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse community.

Responsibilities

• Develops and administers contracts for dining services.
• Analyzes contractor performance and recommends improvements.
• Collaborates with university departments to enhance dining services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor of Science degree

Tools

Contract management systems

Financial modeling tools

Job description

Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Title of Position

Title of Position Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Student Services with a dotted line report to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management develops, coordinates and administers contracts for dining services at all venues across the Fordham campuses, serving as the primary point liaison with the contractor and monitoring the existing contract for compliance with terms and conditions.

Essential Functions

Evaluates and monitors contractor performance to determine the necessity for amendments, extension of the contract, and compliance with contractual obligations.

Develops and implements strategies, in collaboration with the dining service provider and relevant University departments, to enhance student satisfaction with dining services and positively impact external rankings, including but not limited to The Princeton Review and Niche.com. This includes actively soliciting and analyzing student feedback, identifying areas for improvement based on ranking criteria, implementing initiatives to address student concerns and preferences, and ensuring effective communication of dining program strengths to relevant ranking bodies and prospective students and families.

Analyzes and approves or rejects internal and/or contractor requests for deviations from contract specifications.

Works collaboratively with the Finance Office to analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data to determine reasonableness of prices; reviews and interprets contract provisions to achieve cost efficiencies and reductions where feasible.

Assesses contractor service value and service reliability relative to cost; makes recommendations on future contracting of the department.

Serves as primary liaison with contracting representatives to ensure compliance with contract specifications and resolution of problems and issues as they arise; arbitrates claims or complaints occurring in the performance of contracts.

Monitors equipment repair and facility maintenance to maintain the department in good working order and to meet annual budgets in these areas.

Represents University and dining interests in determining and executing facility renovations and/or new build-outs.

Monitors compliance with Department of Health and Serve Safe regulations.

Assists and/or provides input into the formulation, development, and/or revision of operating policies, procedures, and strategies for the University, as appropriate

Essential Functions Note

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities Guides work of other employees who perform essentially the same work and/or student workers. Organizes, sets priorities, schedules and reviews work, but is generally not responsible for final decisions in hiring, performance management or compensation.

Additional Functions

Works with Strategic Sourcing on evaluating and selecting preferred catering partnerships.

Works with campus stakeholders on catering policy creation and enforcement.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor of Science degree and a minimum of 4 years of dining contract execution or business development experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of dining contracts and specifications.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Familiarity with contract management systems, financial modeling tools, and university budgeting practices.

Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections.

Ability to analyze and solve problems.

Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.

Knowledge of contract procurement policies.

Skilled in organizing and coordinating people and tasks.

Knowledge of costing, pricing, and food service methodologies.

Skilled in negotiation and establishment of contractual arrangements for food and services.

Ability to assess contract compliance and service quality.

Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across the institution.

Commitment to serving a diverse student and employee population with cultural competence and sensitivity, and a thorough understanding and commitment to the mission of Fordham as the Jesuit University of New York.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience collaborating with Finance, Facilities, and Student Affairs to execute campus-wide service initiatives.

Minimum Starting Salary

Minimum Starting Salary $119,500

Maximum Starting Salary

Maximum Starting Salary $139,500

Note

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

Is this a Union position? No

Posting Number

Posting Number A862P

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date

Posting Date 06/09/2025

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Often

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing)

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Often

Hearing, Listening, Talking Often

Standing

Standing Seldom

Walking

Walking Seldom

Running

Running Not Required

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Seldom

Climbing stairs Seldom

Climbing ladders

Climbing ladders Seldom

Reaching overhead

Reaching overhead Seldom

Pulling, pushing

Pulling, pushing Seldom

Shoveling

Shoveling Seldom

Lifting – up to 20 pounds

Lifting – up to 20 pounds Seldom

Lifting – up to 50 pounds

Lifting – up to 50 pounds Not Required

Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental questions you will be required to answer on the application (No action is needed on this page)

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Bachelor of Science degree and a minimum of 4 years of dining contract execution or business development experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience?
  • Yes
  • No