Assistant Director of Dining Services

Culinesse LLC•Leon, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Culinesse, LLC is looking for an Assistant Director of Dining Services to join their team. This role is for a hands-on, innovative leader with hospitality experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced team environment and can influence and embrace change by initiating creative solutions. The Assistant Director of Dining Services will be responsible for aiding the Director of Dining Services and will have general responsibilities including overseeing daily dining operations, ensuring consistent execution of service, hospitality, and operational standards, and providing on-site leadership during peak service periods, evenings, weekends, and emergencies. This is a highly collaborative position that requires the ability to balance multiple tasks, prioritize, work with diverse constituencies, and address competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Minimum 4-6 years of progressive dining, hospitality, or food service management experience required.
ServSafe Certification (if not currently certified, the employee must, at a minimum, obtain ServSafe Certification within thirty (30) days of employment).
Experience with resident or customer-facing service environments requiring high levels of satisfaction and service recovery.
Basic computer skills is a must.
Demonstrated experience managing staffing, scheduling, and daily operations in a high-volume dining environment.
Experience with financial oversight, including labor management, cost control, and operational performance metrics.
Prior experience utilizing POS systems, dining technology platforms, and billing systems.
Experience ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
Ability to maintain records and complete reports as required.
Must comply with any dress code requirements.
Must be able to work nights, weekends and some holidays.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Specialized training in dining services management and nutrition is desirable.
Experience in healthcare, senior living, or multi-unit environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily dining operations across all venues in support of the Director.
Ensure consistent execution of service, hospitality, and operational standards.
Provide on-site leadership during peak service periods, evenings, weekends, and emergencies.
Assume full operational authority in the absence of the Director, including decision-making, staffing adjustments, and issue resolution.
Lead, manage, and hold dining staff accountable for performance, conduct, and service standards.
Oversee staffing, scheduling, and labor deployment, adjusting staffing plans in response to census, service demands, and operational needs.
Promote a positive, team-focused work environment aligned with organizational values.
Complete quarterly People Analyzer Tools (PATs) and utilize results to support performance improvement and recognition efforts.
Ensure all dining areas operate in accordance with organizational standards for cleanliness, service, and readiness.
Coordinate with culinary leadership to ensure seamless front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
Ensure high-quality service and operational effectiveness during meal service by monitoring service flow and staffing levels, conducting routine rounds, and implementing continuous improvements to the dining experience.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation and communication related to dining operations, service issues, and performance.
Monitor resident satisfaction and ensure prompt response and service recovery related to feedback and concerns.
Evaluate trends (comment cards, informal feedback) and drive improvements.
Lead and support planning and execution of resident programs, themed dining, catering, and events to ensure service quality, presentation, and budget alignment.
Enforce Dining Services policies and procedures, including sanitation, infection control, uniform standards, and conduct expectations.
Participate in and ensures team compliance with required training, certifications, and competency standards.
Support budget adherence and cost control (i.e., labor, food, supplies).
Monitor meal counts, productivity, and operational performance metrics.
Oversee dining systems, including POS, KDS, and other technology platforms to ensure accuracy and operational effectiveness.
Ensure accuracy of resident dining charges and support billing audit processes (i.e., PCC/Cubigo).
Lead or support execution of special events, holiday dining programs, and resident engagement experiences.
Serve as a liaison between Dining Services and other departments to support coordinated service delivery, resident needs, and operational efficiency.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner and ensure their subordinates do the same.
Consistently embody the values of Culinesse.
May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.