General Manager 5 - Food

Sodexo•Fredericksburg, VA

1d•$120,190 - $155,540•Onsite

About The Position

Through your leadership, your team will make a real impact every day as you shape the dining experience for students, faculty, and the campus community. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE! Sodexo’s Campus segment is seeking an experienced General Manager 5 to lead a comprehensive dining program at Mary Washington University. As the senior-most leader on-site, you will guide strategy, champion innovation, and foster strong, collaborative relationships with university partners. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of campus dining—including resident dining, multiple retail outlets, and full-service catering operations. You will serve as the primary liaison with university leadership, ensuring dining services align with campus goals, Sodexo standards, and contractual commitments. The General Manager 5 leads a diverse team, drives operational excellence, and creates a student-centered, engaging dining experience that elevates satisfaction, quality, and program growth.

Requirements

Proven leadership experience in large-scale food service operations—preferably in higher education or similarly complex environments.
Strong financial acumen with success managing multi-unit operations, budgets, forecasting, and P&L performance.
Exceptional communication, client partnership, and relationship-building skills.
A hands-on leadership style with the ability to inspire teams, build culture, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
Expertise in food safety, quality assurance, sanitation standards, and operational compliance.
A passion for innovation, service excellence, and creating a memorable campus dining experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead through change, solve problems, and maintain a high level of professionalism.
Commitment to Sodexo’s values of diversity, integrity, service, and community impact.
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and full operational oversight across resident dining, retail concepts, and catering.
Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of hospitality, accountability, and engagement.
Partner closely with university stakeholders to strengthen relationships, support campus initiatives, and enhance the student experience.
Ensure excellence in food quality, safety, sanitation, and overall regulatory compliance.
Drive financial performance through forecasting, budgeting, labor optimization, purchasing, and cost controls.
Implement innovative dining solutions, marketing initiatives, and student engagement strategies to increase participation and satisfaction.
Oversee high-profile catered events, banquets, and special functions with precision and service excellence.
Maintain alignment with Sodexo’s mission, values, and contractual commitments while championing sustainability and responsible operations.
Collaborate effectively with partners, including stakeholders at institutions like Alfred University, when part of cross-campus or regional initiatives.