Managing Director, Dining & Event Services

General Summary: 

Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance, the incumbent will oversee contracted dining, catering, vending, and bookstore operations and direct oversight of the university Event Services department.  Working directly with vendor team leads, university personnel, and other partners and stakeholders, the incumbent will integrate and coordinate and align these services with the campus mission and strategic goals.   The incumbent will seek activation of physical spaces for events; ensure the provision of high-quality prepared food and vending offerings to campus residents, commuters, staff, clients and visitors; ensure the availability of academic materials, spirit-wear and other sundries to the campus community both on campus and online.  This will be accomplished through active management, robust coordination and communication, high levels of creative activity, and strong operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Examples of Duties: 

• Manage vendor contracts related to residential and retail dining (including catering) and vending
• Ensure vendor compliance with contracted terms and conditions
• In collaboration with vendor staff, maintain residential, retail, and catering dining programs at high standards of quality, efficiency and affordability
• Expand dining business for the campus and the vendor through additional plan offerings, venues, events, and partnerships
• Plan and oversee any refresh to concepts and space of retail, residential, event and catered dining operations with the vendor and VCAF leadership
• Collaborate and coordinate with vendor, residence hall third-party operator and internal departments (Facilities) on all dining-related issues
• Review and approve data and reports with vendor that support management fee to be paid
• Evaluate proposed vendor contract extension or lead a competitive bid process for 2027 contract end
• Oversee management of residential meal plan office and vendor catering accounts receivable
• Manage vendor contract for university bookstore
• Ensure vendor compliance with contracted terms and conditions
• Evaluate proposed vendor contract extension or lead a competitive bid process for 2027 contract end
• Collaborative with UMB Marketing & Student Affairs on merchandising and student desires for the bookstore
• Expand availability and adoption of digital student classroom support materials with faculty
• Plan and oversee any refresh of the concept and space of the bookstore
• Manage Event Services department
• Ensure the department supports events for Enrollment, Advancement and Academic purposes
• Manage & build Event Services into a consolidated, concierge-type Events operation by:
• Develop and implement workflow flow for Event Services to become the starting point for ALL campus events
• Consolidate as much campus space into scheduling software that can be rented when not in use by the university. 
• Consolidate billing from all campus auxiliaries to clients into one bill
• Improve business processes with updated or new software systems
• Develop and implement an events marketing strategy for the campus
• Manage one financial operations staff person in addition to the Director of Event Services and overseeing contractual services for dining and bookstore
• All other duties as assigned by the Associate & Vice-Chancellor of Administration & Finance

Qualifications: 

• Note: This position cannot provide long-term immigration support (citizenship/work Visa), etc.
• Experience managing large contracts for critical operational or auxiliary services in a complex working environment
• Education and Experience
  • Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or a related field, and 20 years of similar work experience, 5 years of which are in a management capacity, or;
  • Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Accounting, Business, Management, Economics, or a related field and 15 years of similar work experience, 5 of which are in a management capacity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with food cleanliness, fire, and other licensing and safety regulations
• Strong analytical and reporting abilities; use of data to guide business decisions
• Experience in higher education, government or other highly regulated/unionized business environment

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Experience working and presenting to executive-level managers and staff
• Use of Microsoft Office products, and experience with web-based scheduling, ordering and payment applications
• Ability to work successfully in a diverse environment and complex organizational structure
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and complex projects while adhering to set deadlines

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three references. 

This is a non-union exempt position. 

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $117,900 and $188,600 for this position.  

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Show email or View phone number on employmentopportunities.umb.edu.