Director of Dining Services - Gilman School

Compass Group•Baltimore, MD

3d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Director of Dining Services leads all dining operations at a private or independent K–12 school, overseeing service, food quality, financial performance, team development, and relationships with school partners. The role includes student dining, catering, and special events, and calls for a strategic, hands-on leader who creates a welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, and guests.

Requirements

3–5 years of food service management experience; school dining, contract services, or high-volume hospitality experience is preferred.
Experience leading budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
Strong background in catering, special events, and high-volume food production.
Ability to lead and develop teams, manage deadlines, and implement critical initiatives.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field.
ServSafe Certification.

Responsibilities

Lead food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
Maintain relationships with clients, school administrators, students, and guests to support exceptional service and satisfaction.
Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to develop seasonal menus and culinary programs.
Manage account finances, including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period-end closing.
Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols, and promote a safety culture.
Conduct daily pre-service meetings to communicate expectations, service standards, and updates.
Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews and provide mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
Increase participation and customer engagement through marketing, menu innovation, promotional events, and catering showcases.
Maintain service, cleanliness, and presentation standards across dining areas.