Senior Café and Community Engagement Manager

American University•Washington, DC

7d•$64,074 - $64,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Cafe and Community Engagement Manager in the Bridge Café is responsible for the strategic oversight, daily management, and financial sustainability of the Bridge Café, a student-run café and social hub located in Butler Pavilion. The position ensures high-quality customer service, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while cultivating a robust student employment program that contributes to student learning and leadership development. The Senior Café Manager supervises approximately 25–40 student employees, including baristas, shift leads, and assistant managers, and oversees all aspects of café operations including staffing, training, inventory management, vendor relations, financial management, and programming within the café space. This role leads the development and implementation of comprehensive training and professional development programs for student staff across the Mary Graydon Student Center, ensuring consistent standards of customer service, operational procedures, and student leadership development across all student center operations. This position oversees the operational implementation of “A Slice of AU,” a Bridge Café–based initiative that celebrates first-year student birthdays to promote belonging and campus connection. The Bridge Café operates as a self-funded auxiliary program, and the Senior Café Manager is responsible for maintaining sound financial management practices, meeting revenue targets, and ensuring operational sustainability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience in café management, food service operations, hospitality management, or auxiliary services.
2 - 4 years of relevant experience.
Two to four years of experience managing food service or retail operations is required, including demonstrated experience supervising student employees or entry-level staff.
Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational, customer service, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with diverse constituencies across administrative units.
Experience managing budgets, inventory systems, and operational workflows is required.
Proficiency with relevant operational and administrative software platforms (e.g., scheduling systems, point-of-sale systems, and university administrative systems such as Workday) is also expected.
DC Food Protection Manager Certification.
Food safety training certification.
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification accredited by ANSI (e.g., ServSafe Manager Certification).
Valid DC Certified Food Protection Manager identification issued or recognized by the DC Department of Health.
Current DC Food Handler Certification (if required by establishment type).
Knowledge of the DC Food Code and local health regulations.
CPR/AED and First Aid certification preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
3 - 5 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary supervisor and operational leader for student employees working in the Bridge Café, overseeing all aspects of student staffing and workforce development. This position is responsible for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and supervising approximately 25–40 student employees, including baristas, shift leads, assistant managers, and student event staff.
Develop and manage staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage during all café operating hours, while maintaining flexibility to support special events and peak campus activity periods.
Provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and performance management for student employees, including conducting evaluations, addressing performance concerns, and implementing progressive discipline when necessary in accordance with university policies.
Develop and maintain the Bridge Café Student Employee Handbook, which outlines operational procedures, expectations, and workplace standards.
Ensure all student employees complete required university employment training and remain in compliance with the Student Code of Conduct and institutional employment policies.
Foster a student-centered employment environment that prioritizes leadership development, teamwork, accountability, and customer service excellence.
Mentor student leaders and supervisors, helping them build professional competencies in team management, operational oversight, and conflict resolution.
Oversee the daily operational functions of the Bridge Café to ensure efficient, compliant, and high-quality service for the AU community.
Manage all aspects of café operations, including opening and closing procedures, point-of-sale operations, cash handling protocols, and day-to-day service workflows.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels for food, beverages, and supplies to ensure operational continuity while minimizing waste and controlling costs.
Develop and maintain productive relationships with vendors and suppliers for café products, equipment, and services.
Coordinate routine maintenance, repair, and replacement of café equipment, appliances, furnishings, and operational infrastructure.
Ensure that the café environment remains safe, welcoming, and well-maintained, serving as a central gathering space for students and the campus community.
Monitor product quality, service standards, and customer feedback to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance the overall café experience.
Support the Bridge Café as a vibrant and inclusive campus social space by coordinating programming, partnerships, and marketing initiatives that strengthen student engagement and community connection.
Develop and oversee programming initiatives that activate the café as a welcoming gathering place for students, student organizations, and campus partners, including a monthly café night program.
Collaborate with campus departments and student groups to host events and activities within the café space that enhance student life and promote community interaction.
Support signature initiatives connected to the café, including programs such as “A Slice of AU”, which are designed to foster belonging and connection among students.
Lead marketing and promotional efforts for the Bridge Café, including social media engagement, event promotion, and outreach initiatives that increase visibility and participation.
Maintain brand consistency and ensure the café remains a recognizable and accessible campus destination.
Provide a monthly donor report as requested.
Manage the financial operations of the Bridge Café, which functions as a self-funded auxiliary enterprise within the Division of Student Affairs.
Work closely with the Sr. Associate Director of the Mary Graydon Student Center to develop annual revenue projections and expense budgets that support the café’s operational sustainability.
Monitor sales performance, purchasing activity, and cost controls to ensure responsible financial stewardship.
Manage purchase card transactions, reconcile expenditures, and maintain accurate financial records related to vendor invoices, purchasing activity, and internal billing processes.
Process and reconcile daily sales reports, ensure timely cash deposits, and assist with procurement processes including purchase orders, blanket purchase orders (BPOs), and internal service requests (ISRs), and space rental.
Analyze operational trends and identify opportunities to increase revenue, optimize purchasing strategies, and improve overall financial performance.
Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive student staff training and professional development program across the Mary Graydon Student Center.
Design and facilitate training initiatives for student employees working in student center operations, including front desk staff, event support staff, and other student-facing roles.
Develop standardized training materials that support a consistent student employment experience across the student center.
Plan and facilitate annual and semester-based student staff training programs, ensuring that all student employees are prepared to support the operational needs of the student center while providing high-quality service to campus visitors.
Collaborate with professional staff across the student center to align training content with operational expectations and divisional priorities.
Develop leadership development opportunities for returning student employees and assess the effectiveness of training initiatives to support continuous improvement in student staff learning and performance.
Ensure that the Bridge Café operates in full compliance with Washington, DC food service regulations and university policies.
Maintain compliance with District of Columbia Department of Health food safety standards, ensuring that all food preparation and service practices meet required sanitation and safety guidelines.
Maintain or obtain DC Food Protection Manager Certification and ensure that student employees receive appropriate food safety training and maintain required food handler certifications when applicable.
Prepare for and support health inspections, monitor sanitation standards, and maintain all required documentation related to food safety training, inspections, and operational compliance.
Oversee daily food service operations, including food preparation, service, and closing procedures.
Ensure compliance with the DC Food Code and all regulations issued by the DC Department of Health (DOH).
Maintain safe food handling, storage, preparation, and temperature control practices.
Monitor and enforce sanitation and cleanliness standards throughout the facility.
Ensure all required permits and licenses are current and visibly posted.
Serve as the Person-in-Charge (PIC) during hours of operation.
Ensure compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles where applicable.
Oversee maintenance and completion of food safety logs (temperature logs, cleaning schedules, pest control records, etc.).
Coordinate and respond to health inspections conducted by the DC Department of Health (DOH).
Immediately correct any violations and implement corrective action plans.
Serve as an active member of the Division of Student Affairs by supporting major university programs and initiatives.
Contribute operational and logistical support to large-scale campus events including New Student Orientation, Family Weekend, Commencement, Eagles at Night, and other campus-wide programming initiatives.
Serve on divisional committees, working groups, and planning teams as assigned by the Sr. Associate Director, Mary Graydon Student Center.
Support broader student center initiatives and special projects that contribute to the mission of the Division of Student Affairs and enhance the student experience at American University.
Advise recognized student organizations.