Director of Dining (Senior Living)

Job Description

Job Description

At Wildewood Downs , we're more than a premier senior living community, we're a place where exceptional hospitality meets meaningful purpose. Recognized as a Great Place to Work®, our culture is built on one simple philosophy: People First, Always.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Dining Services to lead and elevate one of the most important aspects of our resident experience. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hospitality leader who thrives on creating memorable dining experiences, developing high-performing teams, driving resident satisfaction, and executing elegant events that bring people together.

If you have a passion for luxury hospitality, front-of-house leadership, revenue growth, and delivering world-class service, we'd love to meet you.

Why Choose Wildewood Downs?

A Culture of Excellence and Growth:

Join a team that values innovation, leadership development, and collaboration. Your expertise will be recognized, your ideas will be welcomed, and your career growth will be supported.

Lead with Purpose:

Every dining experience creates an opportunity to enrich the lives of our residents and guests. Your leadership will directly impact resident satisfaction, engagement, and overall quality of life.

Hospitality Without Limits:

Our dining venues serve as the heart of our community. You'll have the opportunity to bring elevated hospitality standards, creative programming, and memorable experiences to life every day.

Competitive Benefits and Meaningful Work:

Work alongside talented professionals who share a commitment to service excellence while building a rewarding career in a mission-driven environment.

The Opportunity:

As Director of Dining Services , you will provide strategic and operational leadership for all dining venues, culinary services, and special events throughout our large Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). This position is responsible for creating an exceptional resident and guest experience through outstanding service, operational excellence, financial performance, and team leadership.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in hospitality, country club, resort, luxury hotel, upscale restaurant, or senior living dining operations. They possess a servant-leadership mindset, exceptional front-of-house expertise, proven financial acumen, and a passion for creating experiences that exceed expectations.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Hospitality & Front-of-House Leadership:

• Lead and inspire a high-performing dining team focused on delivering exceptional hospitality and service excellence.
• Create a warm, welcoming, and engaging dining atmosphere that enhances the resident experience.
• Establish service standards that reflect luxury hospitality and ensure consistency across all dining venues.
• Build strong relationships with residents, families, guests, and team members through visible and approachable leadership.

Dining Operations & Team Development:

• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain top talent while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure efficient day-to-day dining operations while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, service, and safety.
• Partner closely with culinary leadership to deliver innovative dining programs and exceptional resident experiences.
• Provide ongoing training and mentoring to strengthen team performance and elevate service standards.

Sales, Revenue & Financial Performance:

• Drive dining participation, resident engagement, guest dining experiences, and private event revenue opportunities.
• Develop and manage operating budgets while meeting financial objectives and maintaining excellent service quality.
• Analyze operational and financial performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and enhanced profitability.
• Collaborate with community leadership on marketing initiatives, resident retention efforts, and community outreach programs.

High-End Events & Special Experiences:

• Oversee the planning and execution of upscale resident events, holiday celebrations, wine dinners, VIP receptions, family gatherings, and community showcases.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to create memorable dining experiences that strengthen resident satisfaction and community reputation.
• Ensure seamless event execution from concept through completion, maintaining exceptional hospitality standards throughout.

Quality & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as well as company policies and standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized dining environment.
• Oversee special dietary accommodations and healthcare dining needs while ensuring superior service delivery.

What Makes You a Great Fit:

Required Qualifications:

• Management and leadership experience in hospitality, dining services, food and beverage, senior living, hotel, restaurant, country club, or related environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing service teams.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and achieving operational goals.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Culinary Management, or a related field.
• Experience leading front-of-house operations in upscale hospitality environments.
• Proven success with event planning, banquet management, catering, or high-end social functions.
• Experience driving sales initiatives, revenue growth, resident engagement, and guest satisfaction.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential preferred but not required.

Are You Ready to Lead Hospitality Excellence?

If you're a passionate hospitality leader who enjoys building exceptional teams, creating memorable experiences, driving business results, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, we encourage you to apply today.

Join Wildewood Downs and help redefine dining and hospitality excellence in senior living.