Shift Lead - 6 month fixed term

Dining Shift Lead

About Stanford University and Residential & Dining Enterprises:

Stanford University is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Founded in 1891, Stanford's mission is to create and share knowledge and to prepare students to be curious, to think critically, and to contribute to the world. With world-class scholars and seven schools located together on a single campus, Stanford offers academic excellence across the broadest array of disciplines including business, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law, medicine, and sustainability. It also is an engine of innovation, blending theory and practice to move ideas and discoveries from labs and classrooms out into the world. Stanford strives to foster a culture of expansive inquiry, fresh thinking, searching discussion, and freedom of thought – preparing students for leadership and engaged citizenship in the world. The university is located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, on a scenic 8,180-acre campus.

Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE), the largest auxiliary organization at Stanford University, supports the academic mission of the university by providing high-quality services to students and other members of the university community. R&DE has an annual operating budget of $400M, operates 24/7/365, and oversees a $3B asset portfolio comprising over 7 million square feet—one-third of the campus footprint. R&DE provides housing for 16,000 students and dependents, serves 8 million meals annually at 48 student dining venues and 32 culinary enterprises. In addition, R&DE provides executive services, conference operations, and guest lodging. R&DE is a talented and diverse team of 1,200+ who comprise the following divisions: Student Housing Operations & Stanford Conferences; Stanford Dining and Hospitality & Auxiliaries; Maintenance Operations and Capital Projects; and a team of R&DE strategic business partners—Finance & Administration, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Strategic Communications and Marketing.

"Students (Customers) First" is R&DE's mantra and its strategic goals reflect its commitment to delivering service excellence to the campus community. R&DE's belief is "students are never an interruption in our day; they are the reason we are here."

R&DE's dedication to promoting fair treatment, access to opportunities, and a positive work environment is reflected in its essential priorities and efforts for cultivating a culture of operational excellence as a foundational cornerstone. R&DE is committed to creating and sustaining inclusive excellence where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to thrive.

This role is designated as essential and requires incumbents to report to work onsite. Telecommuting is not available for this role.

The Dining Shift Lead reports to the Dining Manager within Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE) and serves as the frontline leader responsible for supporting daily operations within an assigned station or service area during the residential student dining meal program and late-night retail service (as applicable).

This role is accountable for assisting in the delivery of high-quality meals and consistent hospitality by guiding team members, maintaining service standards, and ensuring smooth execution during assigned shifts. The Shift Lead works alongside staff to ensure food is properly prepared, presented, and served in accordance with established standards.

You will play a key role in creating a positive, student-centered dining environment by supporting service flow, responding to immediate needs, and reinforcing expectations for quality, cleanliness, and teamwork. Maintain operational consistency and communicates effectively with supervisors regarding any issues or needs during the shift.

Job Purpose:

Provide functional coordination presence and daily operational oversight of residential dining, retail, or catering services.

Core Duties:

Support high-quality food execution by ensuring proper setup, food presentation, portioning, and replenishment within assigned stations.

Deliver consistent hospitality at the point of service by maintaining a welcoming, helpful presence and supporting positive student interactions.

Assist with efficient service flow by monitoring station readiness, minimizing delays, and supporting throughput during peak periods.

Maintain cleanliness and organization by ensuring assigned areas meet sanitation and presentation standards throughout the shift.

Follow and reinforce food safety and compliance standards including proper handling, labeling, and storage procedures.

Provide peer-level leadership and support by helping direct team members, answering questions, and reinforcing expectations during service.

Ensure temperatures are logged at the correct times. Take corrective action if there is a temperature issue.

Provide functional coordination for the activities of Hillel foodservice workers, casual employees, and students.

Be available to talk to customers, answer questions, and resolve any problems students may have in order to provide the most positive experience possible.

Complete opening or closing checklist depending on assignment.

Oversee clean up to assure that it the dining hall is properly prepared for the next shift (cleaned, restocked, proper set up).

Provide oversight in servery, particularly at busy times, to ensure food, plate ware, silverware and glassware are kept replenished.

Assist to cover for absent workers due to unforeseen conditions requiring immediate response for a period of time.

Minimum Requirements:

Education & Experience:

Associate degree in restaurant management, business, or related field or equivalent and one year of successful experience in a customer service industry or relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to effectively coordinate and provide oversight to a diverse work staff.

Exposure to and success with key customer service competencies, such as the ability to communicate clearly, listen, and empathize with customers while simultaneously adhering to protocols and guidelines.

Certifications and Licenses:

ServSafe CA Certification.

Physical Requirements:

Constantly exert well-paced mobility to move quickly to the different areas of the facility as service and production demands require.

Frequently bend, stoop, and perform extensive walking.

Occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of lifting force and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Ability to see and taste food for quality.

Working Conditions:

Work flexible and demanding hours.

Frequently work long hours completing widely diverse duties.

Subjected to wet floors, temperature extremes, and excessive noise.

Work Standards:

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,

The expected pay range for this position is $26.85 to $30 per hour.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Why Stanford is for You:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enriches the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will