Resident District Manager

Sodexo•West Haven, CT

2d•$139,145 - $180,070•Onsite

About The Position

Join Sodexo and make an impact by creating exceptional campus dining experiences while building strong partnerships and leading a talented team at the University of New Haven. Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking a dynamic and strategic Resident District Manager to lead dining operations at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. This highly visible leadership role serves as the primary point of contact for a complex campus dining program with multiple locations and service offerings. The ideal candidate will bring prior higher education dining experience, exceptional client relationship skills, and a proven ability to drive operational excellence, financial performance, and team development. This position is heavily client-focused, with approximately 70% of time dedicated to client engagement, strategic partnership, and stakeholder relations, while balancing operational leadership and financial accountability. We are looking for a solution-oriented leader who understands how to align dining services with client expectations, build strong teams, and grow a successful business within a unionized environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Proven leadership experience within higher education dining, campus dining, or a similarly complex food service environment.
Strong client-facing skills with a demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Experience leading large, multi-unit food service operations with accountability for financial performance and operational results.
Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and P&L accountability.
Experience managing within a union environment.
A track record of developing high-performing teams and creating a culture of engagement and accountability.
Demonstrated success growing a business, driving operational improvements, and delivering innovative solutions.
Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
A solution-minded approach with the ability to anticipate client needs and deliver results that exceed expectations.
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior Sodexo leader and primary client partner for the University of New Haven dining program.
Build and maintain strong relationships with university leadership, campus stakeholders, and student groups to ensure exceptional client satisfaction.
Lead multiple dining locations and managers while ensuring operational excellence across all service areas.
Drive financial performance through budget management, forecasting, labor management, and cost controls.
Develop and execute strategies that support business growth, student engagement, and innovation.
Ensure compliance with Sodexo standards, company policies, safety regulations, and client contractual obligations.
Coach, mentor, and develop management teams to foster engagement, accountability, and career growth.
Partner with campus leadership to identify opportunities, solve challenges, and deliver customized solutions that meet evolving client needs.
Manage labor relations and maintain a positive working relationship within a unionized workforce.
Monitor key performance indicators and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service, quality, and profitability.