Area Director (District Manager) Higher Education

Creative Dining Services•Zeeland, MI

4d•$110,000 - $125,000•Remote

About The Position

Join a mission-driven hospitality organization where transformational partnerships, not transactions, are at the heart of everything we do. Creative Dining Services is seeking an enterprise-minded hospitality leader with a proven track record in multi-site higher education dining who can translate strategy into execution, develop exceptional leaders, and deliver outstanding campus experiences. Clients choose us because they value a trusted, transparent hospitality partner who delivers operational excellence with heart. As an Area Director (District Manager), you will play a pivotal role in fulfilling that promise, by strengthening client partnerships, growing leaders, and driving results across multiple campus dining programs. This posting is intended to identify and engage talented candidates for a future Area Director opportunity. Timing will be based on business growth and new partnership developments. Reporting to the Regional Vice President of Operations, the Area Director will provide leadership for a multi-state portfolio of college and university dining programs representing approximately $15-$20 million in annual managed volume. This leader will coach and develop Food Service Directors, strengthen client partnerships, and drive operational, financial, and hospitality excellence across multiple campuses. Candidates should be based near a major airport within our higher education portfolio footprint and be able to travel extensively to support campus teams and client partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Culinary Management, or a related field required; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered in lieu of a degree; Advanced degree preferred
Previous multi-site (multi-client) contract foodservice experience within colleges and universities, higher education dining
10+ years of related operations experience
7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience
At least 3 years overseeing multiple locations and client relationships within a district or regional structure
Strong understanding of higher education dining, including residential dining, retail operations, catering, conference services, and campus partnerships
Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills
Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance management
Ability to build credibility and maintain strong relationships in both virtual and in-person environments
Adaptability, critical thinking, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
Strong presentation, active listening, and written communication skills
Valid, unrestricted driver's license

Nice To Haves

ServSafe certification and formal allergen training preferred

Responsibilities

Build, mentor, develop, and support a team of Food Service Directors and campus leaders while fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Ensure consistent execution of food quality, culinary and marketing standards, guest satisfaction, safety initiatives, and hospitality programs across multiple higher education locations.
See the big picture, identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and effectively communicate plans that drive results.
Create strong talent pipelines through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
Build trusted relationships with college and university stakeholders while proactively addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for growth.
Monitor financial performance, analyze key metrics, develop action plans, and teach leaders how to maximize profitability and operational efficiency.
Utilize operational, culinary, financial, and people management systems to drive informed decision-making and effectively support teams across multiple locations.
Partner with campus leaders to enhance dining programs through evolving student expectations, emerging food trends, sustainability initiatives, and creative hospitality solutions.
Navigate complex environments with confidence while helping teams adapt, remain focused, and achieve their goals.