System Director II

Compass Group USA; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Company car

Job summary

Compass Group USA is seeking a System Director of Dining Services to provide leadership and operational oversight for dining across five Senior Living communities, with hospitality and resident experience at the center of every decision.

Reporting to the Regional Director of Operations, you will partner with community leadership, Executive Chefs and support teams to deliver exceptional food, attentive service, and strong financial results.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive leadership in senior living dining or hospitality operations.
• Experience leading multi-site teams and client relationships.
• Strong knowledge of dining room service, culinary operations, and financial management.
• Ability to travel regularly among communities.
• Degree in hospitality, food service management, business, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead hospitality standards and resident experience across five communities.
• Strengthen resident and client relationships with leaders and committees.
• Develop and coach dining services directors and executive chefs.
• Advance culinary quality and resident engagement with menus and special events.
• Create inviting dining environments with safe, accessible spaces.
• Ensure strong operational and financial performance including budgets and costs.

Skills

Leadership

Hospitality operations

Dining services

Budgeting

Client relationships

Team development

Education

Degree in hospitality management or related field

Job description

Other Forms of Compensation:annual bonus + company car

With people as our core and a deep commitment to exceptional hospitality, CCL Hospitality Group has a philosophy rooted in caring for the individuals who care for our guests. Our most significant competitive advantage is our team members. We constantly strive to strengthen our service culture. Every team member knows they matter and owns a stake in our success, delivering hospitality excellence.

With four distinct operating companies – Morrison Living, Unidine, Coreworks, and The Hub, we are shaping the industry’s future leaders with a culture of service focused on elevated hospitality for community living across the country. Join us and discover how we drive mutual success that leaves lasting impressions.

Multi-Community Senior Living | Hospitality & Resident Experience

Job Summary

The System Director of Dining Services provides leadership and operational oversight for dining service across five Senior Living communities, with hospitality and resident experience at the center of every decision.

Dining is an important part of residents’ daily lives. It’s a place to connect, celebrate, maintain independence, and feel at home. This leader builds a culture in which residents feel welcomed, recognized, and valued, and valued, and associates take pride in creating enjoyable, personal dining experiences.

Reporting to the Regional Director of Operations, the System Director partners with community leadership, Directors of Dining Services, Executive Chefs, and support teams to deliver exceptional food, attentive service, and consistent operational performance. The role combines hands‑on hospitality leadership with responsibility for client relationships, team development, financial results, and continuous improvement, while respecting the character and preferences of each community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Hospitality and the Resident Experience

• Establish clear hospitality standards across the communities
• Maintain a visible presence during meal periods, observing the resident experience firsthand and coaching leaders and associates in the moment.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs of dining rooms, cafés, and other service areas to evaluate service, food presentation, cleanliness, comfort, and overall atmosphere.
• Partner with community dining leaders to turn observations and resident feedback into specific action plans, with clear ownership and follow‑up.
• Lead consistent service recovery practices so concerns are heard, addressed promptly, and followed through to resolution.

2. Strengthen Resident and Client Relationships

• Build trusted relationships with residents, resident dining committees, community Executive Directors, and Senior Leadership.
• Participate in dining committee meetings and resident forums, communicating openly about menus, service improvements, and dining initiatives.
• Translate client expectations into practical priorities for each community and maintain accountability for results.
• Anticipate concerns, communicate progress, and resolve issues in partnership with the Regional Director of Operations.
• Work with community teams to make dining welcoming for residents, families, and guests, including those who need additional assistance or accommodations.

3. Develop and Support Community Leaders

• Lead, coach, and support Directors of Dining Services and Executive Chefs.
• Develop leaders who are present on the floor, approachable to residents, and actively engaged with their teams.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Help teams strengthen communication across dining room and culinary operations
• Build a respectful workplace where associates feel supported, empowered, and accountable.

4. Advance Culinary Quality and Resident Engagement

• Partner with culinary leaders to deliver flavorful, appealing, consistently prepared meals that reflect resident preferences and offer meaningful choice.
• Coordinate with dietitians and care teams to support nutritional needs, special diets, and appropriate dining accommodations while preserving dignity and enjoyment.
• Guide community calendars of themed dinners, tastings, chef interactions, pop‑ups, cultural celebrations, and family dining events.
• Share successful ideas across communities and adapt programs to local interests.
• Support new dining concepts and service improvements, from planning and implementation through evaluation.

5. Create Inviting Dining Environments

• Evaluate dining spaces for comfort, accessibility, ease of navigation, and efficient service.
• Partner with community leadership and facilities teams on improvements to dining spaces and equipment.

6. Ensure Strong Operational and Financial Performance

• Oversee community dining performance, including budgets, staffing, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, food costs, and waste reduction.
• Maintain accountability for food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and applicable company and community requirements.
• Review resident satisfaction, service concerns, team engagement, and financial results to identify priorities and measure progress.
• Provide regular updates to regional and client leadership, highlighting accomplishments, unresolved concerns, and next steps.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in senior living dining, hospitality, food and beverage, or hotel operations; multi‑unit leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success improving hospitality, developing leaders, and managing client relationships.
• Strong understanding of dining room service, culinary operations, financial management, and team development.
• Ability to balance consistent standards with the needs and personality of individual communities.
• Strong communication, listening, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Emotional intelligence, patience, and the ability to respond to concerns with empathy and sound judgment.
• A hands‑on leadership style and willingness to work alongside community teams.
• Ability to travel regularly among assigned communities and participate in meal services, resident meetings, and special events as needed.
• Degree in hospitality, food service management, business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

Our Ideal Candidate

An approachable, engaged leader who enjoys being where the residents and associates are. Someone who understands that operational excellence and genuine hospitality go hand in hand—and who can turn that belief into daily habits across multiple communities.

Associates at CCL are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Flexible 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. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.