Director of Dining Services

Compass Group USA; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

The Compass Group USA's Flik Hospitality Group seeks a Director of Dining Services to own a high-quality dining operation, lead the team, and build a strong client partnership, ensuring an exceptional guest experience.

You will collaborate with culinary leadership on menus, develop a high-performing team, and drive financial performance across the account, balancing hospitality with business results in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of progressive foodservice management experience.
• High-volume food production and catering experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing budgets, P&L, labor, and financial performance.
• Strong team leadership, coaching, and development skills.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• Hands-on, proactive leadership style with strong operational instincts.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• Passion for hospitality, food, and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily dining operations and create a positive, high‑performing team culture.
• Hire, train, coach, motivate, and develop associates and managers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, guests, and internal partners.
• Partner with the Chef and culinary team on menu development and execution of high‑quality food programs.
• Own account P&L, budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and overall financial performance.
• Oversee high‑volume food production, catering, and special events.
• Lead new culinary programs, service initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, hospitality, sanitation, and guest experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer satisfaction, and financial results.
• Serve as a trusted partner to the client and proactively respond to changing business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Communication

Hospitality mindset

Education

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

Job description

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What makes FLIK click? Our people. The decisions, actions and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients every day. We know how to pick them and we know how to grow them. It starts with hiring people who share our passion for food and hospitality. Once we find the right talent, we encourage, value and recognize their contributions.

We keep our people renewed, excited and engaged by providing hands‑on training and educating them about the latest trends. We give them a stake in successfully raising the bar. Our people love what they do and they love sharing their passion. Join our team and see the FLIK difference. Where a job isn’t merely a job but the start of a career where you can flourish.

Job Summary

As the Director of Dining Services, you’ll take ownership of a high-quality dining operation, leading the team, building a strong client partnership, and ensuring an exceptional experience for every guest. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the operation while also driving the financial and strategic success of the account.

You’ll partner closely with culinary leadership to deliver innovative food programs, develop a high‑performing team, and continuously look for ways to elevate the dining experience.

The Director of Dining Services is responsible for the overall success of the account, including daily operations, team leadership, client relations, financial performance, and culinary programming. This role requires a collaborative, highly visible leader who can balance exceptional hospitality with strong business results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily dining operations and create a positive, high‑performing team culture.
• Hire, train, coach, motivate, and develop associates and managers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, guests, and internal partners.
• Partner with the Chef and culinary team on menu development and execution of high‑quality food programs.
• Own account P&L, budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and overall financial performance.
• Oversee high‑volume food production, catering, and special events.
• Lead new culinary programs, service initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, hospitality, sanitation, and guest experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer satisfaction, and financial results.
• Serve as a trusted partner to the client and proactively respond to changing business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5+ years of progressive foodservice management experience.
• High‑volume food production and catering experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing budgets, P&L, labor, and financial performance.
• Strong team leadership, coaching, and development skills.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• Hands‑on, proactive leadership style with strong operational instincts.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, client‑focused environment.
• Passion for hospitality, food, and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Associates at Flik Hospitality are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

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.

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. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik maintains a drug-free workplace.

Flik Hospitality Group

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Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Chef, Culinary, Event Planning, Food Service, Hospitality