Director of Dining Services - Loomis Chaffee Schoo

Compass Group USA; Windsor (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut seeks a Director of Dining Services to lead all dining operations, ensure outstanding service and food quality, and drive client happiness for a private K-12 setting.

The role requires strategic, hands-on leadership, budget management, and collaboration with the Executive Chef to elevate menus and programs for students, faculty, and guests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Business, or related field.
• 3–5 years of dynamic food service management experience, preferably in school dining or high-volume settings.
• Proven ability to lead budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, and daily sales reporting.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to design seasonal menus and new programs.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining staff.
• Oversee safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; promote a culture of safety.
• Conduct regular pre-service meetings to align the team on expectations.
• Oversee marketing, events, and catering showcases to drive engagement.
• Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across dining areas.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Team development

Client relations

Food safety

Menu planning

Catering

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Director of Dining Services - Loomis Chaffee Schoo

Salary:$100000 - $110000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: N/A

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

The Director of Dining Services is responsible for leading all aspects of dining operations at a private or independent K-12 school, ensuring outstanding service, food quality, and client happiness. Loomis Chaffee School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school in Windsor, Connecticut, serving approximately 750 students in grades 9-12. The role involves leading all aspects of daily operations, handling financial performance, leading a team with dynamic strengths, and building positive relationships with school partners. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on leader with a passion for food service excellence, team development, and creating a welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, and guests.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, school administrators, students, and guests, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to design and implement seasonal menus and new culinary programs.
• Lead all financial aspects of the account including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period‑end closing.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; champion a culture of safety for associates and guests.
• Conduct daily pre‑service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
• Conduct mid‑year and annual performance reviews; provide mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Drive participation and customer engagement through marketing, menu innovation, promotional events, and catering showcases.
• Ensure 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 dynamic food service management experience, preferably in school dining, contract services, or high‑volume hospitality.
• Confirmed experience leading budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Strong background in catering, special events, and high‑volume food production.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, handle deadlines, and implement critical initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic benefits.

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.

Flik Independent School Dinning maintains a drug‑free workplace.