Director of Dining Services

Washington and Lee University seeks an experienced and creative dining services professional to join the university as its next director of dining services. This is an in-person and on-site position, and the anticipated start date for the director is late spring 2023.

Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a top-ranked private institution in Lexington, Virginia, where the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts curriculum are integrated with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism and a graduate School of Law. Its graduates, mentored by a faculty of teacher-scholars, are prepared to make a meaningful impact wherever they go in the world.

W&L is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in America, and its historic campus, situated in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, is home to a vibrant, welcoming community distinguished by an entirely student-run Honor System that pushes students to take responsibility and realize their potential as citizens, peers, and leaders.

With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,860, Washington and Lee’s small size enables students to find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L has a three-year on-campus housing requirement, and 62 percent of students live on-campus in traditional residence halls, apartments, townhouses, Greek, and themed housing. All first-year students must participate in the all-you-care-to-eat board plan, which offers a wide variety of culinary offerings, including vegetarian, kosher-style, vegan, gluten-free, and international menu selections. Upper-division students can choose from a variety of meal plans that offer meal exchange anywhere, anytime across campus, for maximum value and flexibility.

Reporting to the executive director of auxiliary services, the director of dining services (director) is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive dining vision for the W&L community and advancing strategic initiatives that further the mission of the department and the university. As a mission-focused and student-centered leader, the director collaborates with representatives from departments across campus to partner on key interdepartmental initiatives, ensuring that Dining Services is well integrated into campus life and supports the broader initiatives of the institution as a whole. 

The director serves as the senior dining representative for a $10 million, 14-unit campus dining operation that includes a dining hall, several retail restaurants, convenience stores, coffee and tea cafes, catering, in-house sorority dining operations, concession stands, and vending machines. They will provide leadership and managerial oversight for all dining operations and roughly 200 dining team members; oversee the administration of student and employee meal plans; think strategically about trends within the food-service industry to position the award-winning program for continued success; and establish and maintain quality through well-developed culinary and production standards with a focus on fresh, healthy, and diverse dining options.

W&L has a goal for campus carbon neutrality by 2050 and is working diligently to reach that goal sooner. Dining services is a critical partner in meeting this ambitious goal, and as such, the director will investigate, advocate for, and implement sustainable solutions for dining operations. The director works closely with the Office of Sustainability on environmental initiatives, including composting, waste management, the Campus Garden, recycling, energy efficiency, and local purchasing.

A bachelor’s degree and demonstrated successful supervisory and management skills in a significant institutional or commercial food service setting are required. In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong managerial, organizational, budget, and fiscal management skills; have experience working with food management inventory and point-of-sale systems; and possess excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who understand today’s collegiate diner and can ensure W&L’s dining program is meeting a broad range of student needs and desires.

Washington and Lee actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to this environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Review of applications will begin Monday, February 13, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Michel R. Frendian, Senior Consultant, at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com.

Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Washington and Lee requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot before the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

Visit the Washington and Lee University website at www.wlu.edu and the Washington and Lee Dining Services website at https://my.wlu.edu/dining-services.