Senior Dining Advisory Lead - Remote

bdconnect; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Brailsford & Dunlavey is seeking a strategic, client-facing Senior Associate to guide colleges and universities through high-impact dining advisory decisions. This remote role supports nationwide institutions with multi-million-dollar dining programs and collaborates across student life, housing, athletics, and campus development.

The position emphasizes understanding dining services complexities, developing operating models, and leading engagements from planning to implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Higher Education Administration, or related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, J.D., LLM, or other professional legal training) strongly preferred.
• Higher education dining experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of solicitation and contracting structures, business terms, operational performance metrics, and procurement strategies.
• Excellent technical writing skills, verbal communication, facilitation skills, and presentation abilities.
• Accuracy, discipline, and attention to detail when developing and reviewing long documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage dining advisory projects from planning through implementation.
• Oversee the full client contract management lifecycle, including solicitation processes, scheduling, RFP drafting, and evaluation.
• Develop and oversee deliverables such as needs assessments, operational reviews, and financial modeling.
• Advise clients during 3rd party contract negotiations and new operating agreements.
• Serve as primary client relationship manager on engagements.
• Translate procurement and contract complexity into clear strategic recommendations.
• Coordinate dining advisory work with firmwide planning across multiple practice areas.

Skills

Dining services management

Procurement

Contract administration

Advisory consulting

Stakeholder communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management/Business/Higher Education Administration

Advanced degree (MBA/J.D./LL.M.) preferred

Job description

Brailsford & Dunlavey is seeking a strategic, client-facing Senior Associate to guide colleges and universities through high-impact dining advisory decisions. This remote role supports nationwide institutions with multi-million-dollar dining programs and collaborates across student life, housing, athletics, and campus development.

The position emphasizes understanding dining services complexities, developing operating models, and leading engagements from planning to implementation.