Executive Director, Campus Dining Services

The George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The George Washington University in Washington, DC, is seeking a seasoned contract manager for its Dining & auxiliary services. You will liaison with the contracted food services vendor, oversee the GWorld partner program, and maintain open dialogue with campus stakeholders to ensure service quality and cost effectiveness.

Responsibilities include analyzing data, negotiating contract terms, and leading strategic planning for the division’s dining operations.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study.
• Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary university liaison and contract manager for GWU’s contracted food services vendor, closely tracking financial performance and contract compliance to minimize institutional risk and maximize financial support from auxiliaries.
• Manage GWorld partner program – over 60 dining partners, including on campus retail leases
• Engage in ongoing dialog with service partners to ensure communication is always open to discuss/evaluate contracted service(s) and maintain good working relationships to help ensure that issues are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
• Act as the key liaison to student user groups and campus stakeholders, managing direct feedback loops to evaluate service performance and maximize overall student and community satisfaction.
• Establish active communication channels and advisory boards with students, other users to capture actionable insights, ensuring dining offerings reflect diverse dietary needs, cultural preferences, and community expectations.
• Serve as the senior administrator who handles escalation of key service and customer relations issues.
• Oversee day-to-day service and seek to instill continuous improvement in all aspects of service delivery, operations, and product quality through development and monitoring of service benchmarks and KPIs
• Provide strategic planning, policy review, formulation and execution of business plans, financial management, and overall administration of Dining & auxiliary units under Dining’s purview.
• Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data and use information to guide contractor actions/initiatives; as well as recommend, negotiate, and implement changes to contract terms/conditions as appropriate/necessary.
• Compile/produce regular and ad hoc descriptive and financial reports for management justifying and/or providing explanations on variances from projections and/or on data as necessary/appropriate.
• Continuous refresh and renovation oversight throughout term of Contract.
• Serve as a member of the senior staff of Business Services and engage in strategic planning and initiatives at the division-wide level.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant area

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study

Job description

Job Description Summary

The George Washington University and the Division for Student Affairs actively engage our students and our campus community through the spirit of healthy living and competition. Located in the heart of our nation’s capital, this world-class university aspires to have a world-class recreation program. We are committed to building and sustaining a program that mirrors the

Posting Details

I. Job Overview

Job Description Summary

The George Washington University and the Division for Student Affairs actively engage our students and our campus community through the spirit of healthy living and competition. Located in the heart of our nation’s capital, this world-class university aspires to have a world-class recreation program. We are committed to building and sustaining a program that mirrors the overall excellence of the university, by providing students an unparalleled opportunity for achievement and engaging the larger community as we grow and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Description

• Serve as the primary university liaison and contract manager for GWU’s contracted food services vendor, closely tracking financial performance and contract compliance to minimize institutional risk and maximize financial support from auxiliaries.
• Manage GWorld partner program – over 60 dining partners, including on campus retail leases
• Engage in ongoing dialog with service partners to ensure communication is always open to discuss/evaluate contracted service(s) and maintain good working relationships to help ensure that issues are addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Ensure university stakeholders are kept abreast of any/all developments.
• Act as the key liaison to student user groups and campus stakeholders, managing direct feedback loops to evaluate service performance and maximize overall student and community satisfaction.
• Establish active communication channels and advisory boards with students, other users to capture actionable insights, ensuring dining offerings reflect diverse dietary needs, cultural preferences, and community expectations.
• Serve as the senior administrator who handles escalation of key service and customer relations issues.
• Oversee day-to-day service and seek to instill continuous improvement in all aspects of service delivery, operations, and product quality through development and monitoring of service benchmarks and KPIs
• Provide strategic planning, policy review, formulation and execution of business plans, financial management, and overall administration of Dining & auxiliary units under Dining’s purview.
• Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data and use information to guide contractor actions/initiatives; as well as recommend, negotiate, and implement changes to contract terms/conditions as appropriate/necessary.
• Compile/produce regular and ad hoc descriptive and financial reports for management justifying and/or providing explanations on variances from projections and/or on data as necessary/appropriate.
• Continuous refresh and renovation oversight throughout term of Contract.
• Serve as a member of the senior staff of Business Services and engage in strategic planning and initiatives at the division-wide level. Participate in university committees and working groups as a representative of the division, department, or unit.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and

may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as deemed

necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong commitment to GW’s values, including integrity, respect, and service to the university community.
• Demonstrates high ethical standards, professionalism, and personal accountability. Effective communicator—open, honest, and direct, with the ability to build trust across all levels of the institution.
• Strategic thinker who combines intellectual curiosity with practical problem-solving skills.
• High level of responsiveness, adaptability, and commitment to service excellence. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Receptive to change and enthusiastic about continuous improvement and innovation.
• 7 + years of direct foodservice operational management experience preferred.
• Previous contract-management service experience is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation.

Hiring Range $117,875.00 - $214,251.07

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Division of Student Affairs

Family: Finance and Business

Sub-Family: Business and Auxiliary Services

Stream: Management

Level: Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40+

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site?: Yes

Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?: No

Posting Number: S014411

Job Open Date: 08/18/2026

Background Screening: Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement: The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.