Interim Senior Director of Housing, Dining, and Hospitality

PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Interim Senior Director of Housing, Dining, and Hospitality is charged with overseeing the strategic integration and operational excellence of the university's housing, dining, and hospitality services. This role is pivotal in managing comprehensive services that align with institutional priorities while fostering a seamless experience for students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. The Interim Senior Director collaborates closely with internal departments, third-party vendors, and external partners to ensure the highest standards of service delivery, operational efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction. Through innovative leadership and data-driven decision-making, the position advances the university's mission and enhances campus life.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Strategic Leadership and Integration

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the Housing, Dining, and Hospitality Office, aligning
  services with institutional priorities and student needs.
• Lead the integration of dining and hospitality operations with housing services, ensuring streamlined
  processes, cost savings, and improved service delivery.
• Establish performance metrics and data-driven decision-making processes to monitor and optimize the
  effectiveness of the HDH Office.

Housing Operations Collaboration

• Partner with the Housing Director to support residence hall management, including occupancy
  strategies, maintenance coordination, and community engagement programming.
• Collaborate on initiatives that enhance residential life, promoting student well-being and academic
  success.
• Ensure alignment between housing services and dining/hospitality offerings to provide a cohesive
  student experience.

Dining Services

• Oversee the management of dining facilities, including the integration of Slim & Husky's and other
  innovative food concepts.
• Ensure vendor accountability by monitoring compliance with university standards and contractual
  obligations.
• Collaborate with Sodexo Magic to implement sustainable dining practices and meet evolving student
  preferences.

Hospitality and Events

• Manage campus event logistics, including space utilization, guest accommodations, and catering
  services.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase revenue through external event partnerships and optimized
  space utilization.
• Foster relationships with external organizations to attract conferences, workshops, and other high-profile events to campus.

Financial Oversight and Reporting

• Develop and manage budgets for dining and hospitality services, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional goals.
• Conduct financial analyses to refine cost-saving strategies and revenue projections, leveraging scenario modeling for adaptability.
• Provide regular reports to senior leadership, highlighting achievements, challenges, and future initiatives.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor staff within the HDH Office, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Ensure staff compliance with university policies and professional development standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, or a related field is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in dining, hospitality, housing or related services within higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven expertise in strategic planning, organizational management, and data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional knowledge of dining and event management operations, including vendor oversight and financial modeling.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI), and event management platforms.
• Commitment to fostering a student-centered campus environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to operate standard office equipment and use computers extensively.
2. Occasional on-campus travel and attendance at events, including evenings and weekends.
3. Ability to lift materials weighing up to 25 lbs.

This job description is subject to periodic review and modification to align with institutional needs and priorities.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Lincoln University. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000