Director of Business Strategy & Client Relations

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Director of Business Strategy & Client Relations  

Salary: $150,000/Yr. - $220,000/ Yr.

Other Forms of Compensation: Benefits 

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations!  Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards -  Best Places to Work,  This is R/A !

Job Summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a dynamic, business‑savvy hospitality leader with a proven record in contract services and client relationship management. Reporting to the COO and based in the NYC corporate office, the Director of Business Strategy & Client Relations is responsible for driving client satisfaction, retention, and business growth across a premier portfolio. This position blends client engagement, business development, strategic planning, and innovation to elevate service delivery and reinforce R/A’s standing as an industry leader in hospitality excellence.

This role offers the opportunity to help shape R/A’s best‑in‑class hospitality standards and its culture of CARE, empowering associates to deliver exceptional experiences. Working closely with divisional leaders and cross‑functional partners, the Director ensures operational excellence, strengthens client partnerships, and identifies opportunities to enhance services through market insights and emerging trends. The position also contributes to new business pursuits, regional training initiatives, and R&D efforts designed to keep R/A ahead of changing expectations.

The Director engages directly with clients through site visits, quarterly business reviews, custom presentations, and ongoing communication, serving as an additional escalation point to resolve concerns quickly and effectively. They coordinate annual client expos to highlight industry trends and bring fresh ideas to client partners. The role includes supporting the management of client relations and retention portfolios with a focus on quality, service, innovation, and value, as well as identifying opportunities to improve satisfaction and strengthen long‑term partnerships.

This position plays a key role in rebids, contract renewals, and new business proposals, ensuring that submissions and financial proformas align with both client needs and company goals. The Director ensures QBRs are delivered consistently, develops evaluation plans for accounts nearing contract expiration, and collaborates with Operations, Finance, Marketing, Culinary, and Wellness teams to build comprehensive retention strategies spanning operational, financial, and relationship‑driven components.

Research and development is integral to the role. The Director monitors industry trends, emerging concepts, and market expectations, partnering with internal teams to create forward‑thinking programs that anticipate client and consumer needs. They also lead regional training sessions to guide operators on best practices in relationship building, communication, and service excellence, ensuring consistent execution across the organization.

Success in this role requires exceptional communication and listening skills, creativity in problem‑solving, strong relationship‑building capabilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. A genuine hospitality mindset, sales and marketing awareness, and familiarity with market trends are essential, along with strong financial acumen and confidence in contract negotiation, including an understanding of WITY (Whatever It Takes for Yes).

Candidates must hold a BA or BS degree and have previous district‑level management experience in a multi‑brand food service or retail‑food service organization. Demonstrated success managing multiple client relationships, along with experience in strategic planning, proposal development, and interpreting financial data, are required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and excellent verbal and written communication skills are also essential.

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Apply to Restaurant Associates today!

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

-usa.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Req ID: 1497470

Restaurant Associates 

NANCY M TEIXEIRA 

[[req_classification]]