Assistant General Manager

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEMORIAL•Lawrence, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for an Assistant General Manager who is passionate about hospitality, leadership, and operational excellence. This role plays a critical part in supporting the success of a large-scale residential dining facility by ensuring high-quality food, strong financial performance, and an exceptional guest experience. You’ll thrive here if you’re a hands-on leader who builds strong teams, communicates effectively, and takes pride in creating a positive, high-performing environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated success in high-volume food service or hospitality operations, including leadership of large, diverse teams.
Knowledge of food preparation, holding, and service methods, as well as proper use of kitchen and dining equipment.
Working knowledge of health, sanitation, and safety standards in large-scale food service environments.
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organization and with external partners and vendors.
Sound judgment and ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures, including handling confidential information.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Management, Foods and Nutrition, or a related field.
Experience in higher education dining or comparable large-scale operations (e.g., multi-unit, healthcare, or hospitality environments).
ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent food safety credential.
Demonstrated success in achieving financial and operational performance goals.
Experience with food service management systems (e.g., Food Service Suite) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.).

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on leadership to a diverse team of full-time, part-time, and student employees, fostering engagement, accountability, and alignment with KU Dining’s mission and values.
Coach, mentor, and develop staff through regular feedback, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities to support retention and growth.
Partner with Human Resources to recruit, hire, onboard, and train team members.
Support the General Manager in overseeing daily dining operations, including food production, service, sanitation, and customer experience.
Monitor operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and adherence to standard operating procedures; troubleshoot issues and implement timely solutions.
Assist with financial oversight, including labor management, food cost control, and operating expenses to support budget goals.
Monitor safety and sanitation practices, including temperature logs and daily inspections, and take corrective action as needed.
Ensure compliance with KU Dining, University, and state and federal food safety regulations.
Model and uphold a strong customer service philosophy aligned with KU Dining’s mission and values.
Act on behalf of the General Manager in their absence, providing leadership and operational continuity.
Adhere to University and KU Memorial Union policies and procedures.
Demonstrate the organization’s core values and apply the seven Team Principles in your role by aligning your work with our Lines of Effort: Our People, Engaging Programs, Outstanding Service, Collaborative Partnerships, Inviting Spaces, and Budget Management.
Support the KU Memorial Unions End State as described by the Executive Director, and work to achieve and uphold the department’s mission and core values: community, dignity, empowerment, excellence, innovation, and safety.
Follow the 7 Team Principles: competence, creating a cohesive team through mutual trust, creating shared understanding, setting clear leader intent, written/verbal communication, disciplined initiative, and risk management.
Demonstrate a positive, solution-oriented attitude in performing job responsibilities and collaborating with colleagues to foster a respectful and productive work environment.
Always exhibit professional decorum while representing the KU Memorial Unions and the University, including routine events and meetings that occur outside of the office, around campus, and out in the community.