Associate Director of Residential Dining, UM Campus Dining

The University of Montana, located in Missoula, Montana, is part of a culturally integrated community with world-class mountain biking, fishing, hunting and skiing. More than 10,000 students from all over the globe claim the University of Montana as home. University of Montana Campus Dining is a premiere, self-operated university foodservice organization whose trend-setting programs such as the UM Farm to College Program, sustainable business practices, campus gardens and staff development are watched and emulated by peers across the country. Our international award-winning culinary team is proud to be part of the campus and enjoys an excellent reputation with our students, faculty, staff and guests. The University incorporates diversity into its staffing, menus and special events.

Campus Dining invites applications for a rare opportunity. We are currently seeking an Associate Director to join our dining team. The Campus Dining associate director is a contract professional who reports to the director of Campus Dining. As an associate director, you will provide administrative oversight, operational support, vision, leadership, and management for assigned Campus Dining operations. You will develop and implement complex unit budgets, unit assessments, strategic plans, capital projects, and major renovations or remodels. As a member of the Campus Dining executive team, you will write and contribute to the department’s strategic, marketing, and facilities master plans and policies and procedures.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program
• Starting salary for this position is $75,000 - $77,000 per year commensurate with qualifications

Required Skills

• Professional upper management experience
• Experience with high volume retail and residential foodservice operations
• Experience with budget development and management including managing monthly revenue and expenses
• Experience with recipe development and production of high-quality food, menus, and dining experiences.
• Experience with management oversight of retail and restaurant operations
• Experience with management oversight of residential dining plans and operations
• Ability to work a schedule that does not always consist of standard office hours and includes some evenings, weekends, special events, and holidays as required by the needs of the business

Minimum Required Experience

• Four-year degree in a hospitality or foodservice management program or equivalent experience in a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of related and transferrable foodservice experience
• Three (3) of those years must be in a high-volume, progressive foodservice operation
• Leadership, management, and training experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of cutting-edge college and university residential dining operations with multiple concepts
• Expert knowledge of short- and long-term strategic planning and operational assessment
• Extensive knowledge of commercial food service equipment
• Extensive knowledge of campus dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively
• Expert knowledge of inventory controls, food and labor expenses, budget analysis, and revenue generation in college foodservice
• Active participation in appropriate professional organizations such as NACUFS, ACF, NRA, NACC etc.
• Menu engineering skills for the development of cutting-edge menus that include action stations, just-in-time food preparation, batch cooking, and an outstanding guest experience
• Public speaking for presentations to small and large audiences of parents, guests, staff, and prospective students
• Expert knowledge of collegiate purchasing practices including capital equipment, food and supplies as well as writing RFPs and formal bids

About UM and Missoula

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution and enrolls more than 10,000 students from across the country and around the globe. UM offers 15 intercollegiate programs and is home to Washington-Grizzly Stadium, which ranked second in home attendance in the FCS in 2019.

Over 75,000 residents call Missoula home. The vibrant downtown community embraces the state’s most sophisticated music and art scene and includes a new public library that houses the Families First Learning Lab, UM’s spectrum science museum, and the UM Living Lab. Just east of Missoula is the KettleHouse Amphitheater, ranking No. 45 out of the top 50 amphitheaters worldwide by Pollstar. Beyond the county line, abundant opportunities to explore and learn exist in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

UM acknowledges that we are in the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispel people. We honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).


How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

This position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the a complete application online via "New Resume"

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related the stated required skills for the position
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references
4. Answers to three supplemental questions :

• What do you see as the major challenges facing collegiate dining operations currently and in the next two years?
• What do you see as the current food trends in college and university foodservice?
• Please describe how your foodservice experience directly relates to the associate director for Campus Dining position.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular