Unit Administrator - University Housing

Illinois International; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University Housing is seeking a Unit Administrator to manage a residential dining hall or catering operation, ensuring alignment with inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives. The role oversees inventory, safety compliance, and staff across a large dining center while coordinating with Dining Services leadership.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in large-scale food service, union staff supervision, and budgetary control, with a focus on operational excellence and customer

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Eight years of combined experience from specified categories (business coursework, food service management, etc.).
• Experience in food service management in large-scale settings.
• Experience supervising employees in unionized environments.
• Experience budgeting and financial reporting in a food service context.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage inventory, storage and distribution for the dining center.
• Ensure compliance with health, HACCP, OSHA, and university policies.
• Develop procedures for sanitation, health code adherence, equipment maintenance.
• Monitor customer feedback and performance data for continuous improvement.
• Lead procurement and distribution to support dining operations.
• Coordinate with Dining leadership to ensure equipment effectiveness and upgrades.
• Establish operational schedules and oversee timekeeping.

Skills

Large-scale food service

Union staff supervision

Budget management

Inventory management systems

Education

Coursework in business/food service related field

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Job description

Unit Administrator - University Housing

Dining Services

University Housing provides an essential element of the Illinois experience, with hundreds of employees across seven units working together to build and maintain safe, healthy and welcoming homes for our residents. We value the many diverse voices, opinions, experiences and identities of the Illinois community, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into each of our interactions, programs and decisions.

Dining Services focuses on making sure our residents are well served and eating tasty, sustainable and healthy meals. At the same time, our team provides high-end catering options that can service weddings, events and parties. Staff within our dining team also work on nutrition, operations, training, menu planning and so much more. While University Housing employs over 1,000 student staff each year, hundreds of those student staff members work on the dining staff and are a key part of the team.

For more information regarding employment at University Housing, please visit our recruitment website at University Housing Recruitment .

Job Summary

Responsible for managing and maintaining all operations within a residential dining hall or catering. Supervisors engage in and implement University Housing's inclusion, culture and climate initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

Operations:

• Supervise, review and manage inventory, storage and distribution at their assigned dining center.
• Monitor compliance with all health department, HACCP, OSHA and University policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement procedures to monitor sanitation, health code compliance, equipment maintenance, and repairs.
• Remain apprised of new concepts, practices, theories, trends and issues in the food service industry and institutions of higher education.
• Analyze customer feedback and operational performance data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Manage and support all operating units in the procurement and distribution of products and services.
• Manage and coordinate all operations of their assigned dining center.
• Work with the Associate Director of Dining for Facilities and Equipment to ensure that all equipment is operating correctly and suggests improvements or replacements.
• Other duties as assigned

Leadership and Supervision:

• Work with the Associate Director of Dining to establish and direct implementation of operational policies and procedures.
• Manage a large and complex staff with a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities consisting of union staff represented by four labor unions and non-union staff.
• Actively promote a positive work environment and department image.
• Establish positive relationships with students, guests, parents, faculty, and staff while supervising and guiding the delivery of high-quality customer service standards.
• Establish expectations and model professional communications with students, parents, guests, staff, and campus partners.
• Manage emergency protocols related to building emergencies. Serve in a crisis management role as needed.
• Plan operational schedules for their assigned dining center; direct and approve timekeeping and in-excess needs based on operational demands.

Financial Management:

• Assist in the building of operational budgets for their assigned dining center.
• Work with the Associate Director of Residential Dining to develop short-term and long-term financial reports for operational areas.
• Provide operational direction for staffing operations to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Evaluate operational practices and recommend improvements to support efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
• Review financial reports from Housing Business Services to ensure accurate cost accounting.

Human Resources:

• Conduct employee performance evaluations and provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
• Communicate and provide leadership and direction for personnel to ensure programmatic benchmarks, goals and objectives are clear and followed through on.
• Work with departments to provide feedback and guidance to ensure that best practices are established and in compliance with federal, state and University policies and procedures.
• Actively uses the Performance Partnership Program to guide the performance of staff.
• Actively monitors unit logs and addresses personnel matters.
• Participate in personnel hearings and provide supporting documentation in coordination with Housing Human Resources and Labor and Employee Relations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or combination totaling eight (8) years (96 months) from the categories below:
  

A. Coursework in business, dietetics, culinary arts, food science, nutrition, hospitality, hotel, catering, restaurant, or institutional management, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

B. Food service management work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing operations in a large-scale food service environment, such as university dining, institutional dining, catering, or commercial food service.
• Experience supervising and managing employees in a union-represented work environment.
• Experience developing, managing, and monitoring operational budgets in a food service setting.
• Experience using food service management systems for inventory management, purchasing, and operational reporting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of large-scale food service operations, including food production, inventory management, purchasing and distribution.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation procedures, health regulations and workplace safety standards.
• Knowledge of financial management principles, including budgeting, cost control and financial reporting.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to coach, develop, evaluate and provide direction to employees.
• Ability to manage personnel matters and apply established policies and procedures consistently.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to plan, prioritize and coordinate multiple operational responsibilities.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement effective solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish positive working relationships with employees, students, guests and campus partners.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with staff and students from a variety of backgrounds.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 0039 - Food Service Administrator IV position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search.

Thebudgeted salary range for the position is $63,000 to $65,000.Finalsalary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available marketdata, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications,collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 13, 2026.

Candidate Documents

When submitting your application, please submit a cover letter, resume and names/contact information for three professional references.If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Housing Human Resources at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Learn more about Champaign-Urbana ,our campus and thecommunity we hope you choose to live and work in.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .

Requisition ID: 1038851
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Looking for more University of Illinois Positions?

We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois' locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.