Assistant Director of Operations

Job no:

R-0000002048

Position Title:

Assistant Director of Operations

Faculty or Staff:

Staff

Full Time or Part Time:

Full time

In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote:

In-Person

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay:

$82,031.00

Rate of pay commensurate with experience

Start Date:

04/04/2025

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Operations plays a critical leadership role in overseeing all aspects of campus dining operations. Reporting to the Director of Dining Services and working in partnership with the Associate Director of Culinary Operations, this position is responsible for both strategic planning and daily execution to ensure an exceptional dining experience for students, faculty, and staff.

This role requires a hands-on leader with a passion for high-quality food production, sustainability, and operational excellence. The Assistant Director will supervise Dining Managers and Maintenance Technicians, foster strong relationships with the campus community, and drive continuous improvement in dining services. Flexibility is essential, as this position requires availability on nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Ensure all food is prepared using proper methods, portion control, and quality standards while assisting with hands-on production as needed.
• Partner with culinary leadership to create innovative, appealing menus that emphasize fresh, local, and minimally processed ingredients.
• Lead initiatives to minimize food waste using the Leanpath system and support institutional sustainability commitments, including the Real Food Campus Commitment.
• Develop, implement, and enforce ServSafe-aligned sanitation policies, conduct monthly audits, and ensure adherence to HACCP, OSHA, and university regulations.
• Assess and recommend kitchen equipment upgrades, oversee maintenance needs, and collaborate with facilities teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Manage food and beverage purchasing in alignment with institutional sustainability goals and spending pledges.
• Supervise Dining Managers and Maintenance Technicians, fostering a culture of teamwork and professional growth.
• Maintain accurate staff records, oversee scheduling, and ensure labor costs remain within budget while complying with collective bargaining agreements.
• Act as a key liaison between dining management, faculty, students, and external partners to ensure seamless communication and collaboration.
• Conduct regular facility inspections, enforce safety standards, and ensure compliance with ServSafe and other regulatory certifications.
  
  
  

Supervision

• Reports to the Director of Dining Services and Associate Director of Culinary Operations.
• Directly supervises Dining Managers, Pastry Chef, Maintenance Technician, Food Production Coordinator, and Dish Room Supervisor.
• Provides indirect supervision to additional dining services staff.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in food service or operations (Executive Chef experience a plus).
• ServSafe Certification (current and valid).
• Strong knowledge of food trends, global cuisines, and sustainability best practices.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage multiple operational functions.
• Experience in environmental initiatives, resource management, and staff training.
• Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Background in college/university dining, sustainability programs, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience supervising large food service teams in a high-volume setting
  
  
  

Hiring Range: $82,031 - $91,360

Full Job Description- Assistant Director Of Operations- Dining

What We Offer:

Our comprehensive benefits program offers a range of options to you can make choices that work best for you and your family:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 10.5% of salary)
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Disability and Leave Benefits
• Life Insurance (College paid coverage 1x salary)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Benefits (to Mount Holyoke College or others)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Access to Kendall Sports & Dance Complex
  
  
  

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants:

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications
• A complete resume or curriculum vitae
• For faculty positions, statements on mentoring, teaching, and research will also be required.