General Manager of Residential Operations, Cornell Dining

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 87,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a General Manager of Residential Operations for Cornell Dining to lead a multi-location operation with a budget up to $15 million. You will oversee personnel, facilities, menu development, budgets, and financial stewardship, driving operational excellence and customer experience across locations.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic partnership building with Dining management, faculty, and staff; hands-on supervision, cost controls, and adherence to food

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of experience in a relevant field such as food service, collegiate dining, restaurant, or hospitality management or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Proven ability to successfully lead multi-layered teams, including previous supervisory experience or experience in managing effective teams
• Technical/computer skills, including experience with MS Word Office productivity tools, including experience with food management & point-of-sale systems.
• Expert knowledge of appropriate food and health codes
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Responsibilities

• Have a strong leadership presence to build a motivated and engaged multi-layered team that can thrive in a dynamic and constantly changing environment
• Understand and be able to articulate fundamental business operations and financial principles to implement and improve operational efficiencies and profitability of a large multi-dimensional organization utilizing high technical skills in cost control and quality assurance.
• Demonstrate superior task management, project management, and organizational skills, including being proficient in delegating responsibility, managing conflict, and supporting diverse teams to meet multiple deadlines and shifting priorities with high aptitude.
• Build strategic partnerships and maintain strong rapport with the Dining management, faculty, staff, and client liaisons to support operational initiatives and ensure quality of service delivery in each location.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Operational budgeting

Food service management

MS Word/Office

Food safety knowledge

Inclusion & wellbeing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

POS systems

Food management software

Job description

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As part of SCL, Cornell Dining is comprised of more than 30 on-campus eateries, including multiple all-access dining rooms, cafés, coffee shops, food courts, retail convenience stores, concession stands, a restaurant, and catering services. From crafting holiday-themed meals to chef surprises and dining room special events, the Cornell Dining team of more than 400 skilled culinarians and front-line associates and 600 student employees works hard every day to offer a variety of fresh and healthy food from all over the world. Cornell Dining’s mission is a commitment to Nourishing the Future: both for our guests and for our team. This is accomplished with a team-oriented and customer service mindset, and an emphasis on training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities for our entire organization.

The General Manager of Residential Operations is responsible for providing consistent leadership and support for multidimensional operations, including operational oversight and overall performance within the areas of personnel, facilities, menu development, budgets, and financial stewardship, and is key to recommending operational adjustments that better meet desired operational and financial goals for a budget up to 15 million annually. In collaboration with the Associate Director of Cornell Dining, our Culinary Wellness Innovation (CWI) team and other members of the senior dining management team, this role will work to promote and enhance services offered to our community to ensure the optimal customer experience in each location they serve. This role is also responsible for fostering a culture that supports Cornell Dining’s missions and values and actively participating in the hiring, training, and development of staff at all levels of the organization. The General Manager, in partnership with the Executive Chef of Operational Excellence. will be responsible for executing and ensuring our Operational Excellence standards, which include but are not limited to culinary standards and compliance, food safety and sanitation compliance, cost controls, and inventory management.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

A successful General Manager will:

• Have a strong leadership presence to build a motivated and engaged multi-layered team that can thrive in a dynamic and constantly changing environment

• Understand and be able to articulate fundamental business operations and financial principles to implement and improve operational efficiencies and profitability of a large multi-dimensional organization utilizing high technical skills in cost control and quality assurance.

• Demonstrate superior task management, project management, and organizational skills, including being proficient in delegating responsibility, managing conflict, and supporting diverse teams to meet multiple deadlines and shifting priorities with high aptitude.

• Build strategic partnerships and maintain strong rapport with the Dining management, faculty, staff, and client liaisons to support operational initiatives and ensure quality of service delivery in each location.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of experience in a relevant field such as food service, collegiate dining, restaurant, or hospitality management or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Proven ability to successfully lead multi-layered teams, including previous supervisory experience or experience in managing effective teams

• Technical/computer skills, including experience with MS Word Office productivity tools, including experience with food management & point-of-sale systems.

• Expert knowledge of appropriate food and health codes

• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Due to the nature of the role, this position must be available to work varied and extended hours, including nights and weekends, and some holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional education and/or experience is preferred.

• Prior supervisor experience and previous experience managing production, sales, and financial controls is highly preferred.

University Job Title:

Dining Assoc III

Job Family

Auxiliary Services

Level

G

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$86,747.00 - $106,024.00

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

Job Titles and Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of any person any study. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-09-03