General Manager of Residential Operations, Cornell Dining

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Cornell Dining, part of Student & Campus Life (SCL), is seeking a General Manager of Residential Operations to provide consistent leadership and support for multidimensional operations. This role involves operational oversight and overall performance in personnel, facilities, menu development, budgets, and financial stewardship, with a budget up to $15 million annually. The General Manager will collaborate with the Associate Director of Cornell Dining, the Culinary Wellness Innovation (CWI) team, and other senior dining management to enhance services and ensure an optimal customer experience. A key aspect of this role is fostering a culture that supports Cornell Dining’s missions and values, including actively participating in hiring, training, and staff development. In partnership with the Executive Chef of Operational Excellence, the General Manager will execute and ensure Operational Excellence standards, covering culinary standards, food safety, sanitation, cost controls, and inventory management. Every member of the community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment through open communication, cooperation, respect, and support for work/life integration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of experience in a relevant field such as food service, collegiate dining, restaurant, or hospitality management or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Proven ability to successfully lead multi-layered teams, including previous supervisory experience or experience in managing effective teams.
• Technical/computer skills, including experience with MS Word Office productivity tools.
• Experience with food management & point-of-sale systems.
• Expert knowledge of appropriate food and health codes.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.
• Availability to work varied and extended hours, including nights and weekends, and some holidays.

Nice To Haves

• Additional education and/or experience is preferred.
• Prior supervisor experience and previous experience managing production, sales, and financial controls is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent leadership and support for multidimensional operations.
• Oversee operational performance in personnel, facilities, menu development, budgets, and financial stewardship.
• Recommend operational adjustments to meet desired operational and financial goals.
• Promote and enhance services offered to the community in collaboration with other dining management teams.
• Ensure the optimal customer experience in each location served.
• Foster a culture that supports Cornell Dining’s missions and values.
• Actively participate in the hiring, training, and development of staff at all levels.
• Execute and ensure Operational Excellence standards, including culinary standards, food safety and sanitation compliance, cost controls, and inventory management.
• Build a motivated and engaged multi-layered team that can thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Implement and improve operational efficiencies and profitability utilizing high technical skills in cost control and quality assurance.
• Demonstrate superior task management, project management, and organizational skills, including delegating responsibility, managing conflict, and supporting diverse teams.
• Build strategic partnerships and maintain strong rapport with Dining management, faculty, staff, and client liaisons.
• Support operational initiatives and ensure quality of service delivery in each location.

Benefits

• Training, education, professional development, and career path opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager