Area Director (District Manager) Higher Education

Job Description

Job Description

Join a mission-driven hospitality organization where transformational partnerships, not transactions, are at the heart of everything we do.

Creative Dining Services is seeking an enterprise-minded hospitality leader with a proven track record in multi-site higher education dining who can translate strategy into execution, develop exceptional leaders, and deliver outstanding campus experiences. Clients choose us because they value a trusted, transparent hospitality partner who delivers operational excellence with heart. As an Area Director (District Manager) , you will play a pivotal role in fulfilling that promise, by strengthening client partnerships, growing leaders, and driving results across multiple campus dining programs. 

If you're the ideal team player, hungry, humble, and smart, and thrive in a culture that values people-first leadership, extreme ownership, and operational excellence, we'd love to connect with you.

Reporting to the Regional Vice President of Operations, the Area Director will provide leadership for a multi-state portfolio of college and university dining programs representing approximately $15-$20 million in annual managed volume. This leader will coach and develop Food Service Directors, strengthen client partnerships, and drive operational, financial, and hospitality excellence across multiple campuses.

Candidates should be based near a major airport within our higher education portfolio footprint and be able to travel extensively to support campus teams and client partners. 

What You'll Do

As an Area Director, you'll be responsible for helping campus dining programs thrive by balancing people leadership, client partnership, operational excellence, and business performance.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead & Inspire: Build, mentor, develop, and support a team of Food Service Directors and campus leaders while fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Ensure consistent execution of food quality, culinary and marketing standards, guest satisfaction, safety initiatives, and hospitality programs across multiple higher education locations.
• Think Strategically: See the big picture, identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and effectively communicate plans that drive results.
• Develop Future Leaders: Create strong talent pipelines through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Support Client Success: Build trusted relationships with college and university stakeholders while proactively addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Manage the Business: Monitor financial performance, analyze key metrics, develop action plans, and teach leaders how to maximize profitability and operational efficiency.
• Leverage Technology: Utilize operational, culinary, financial, and people management systems to drive informed decision-making and effectively support teams across multiple locations.
• Champion Innovation: Partner with campus leaders to enhance dining programs through evolving student expectations, emerging food trends, sustainability initiatives, and creative hospitality solutions.
• Lead Through Change: Navigate complex environments with confidence while helping teams adapt, remain focused, and achieve their goals.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a leader who combines higher education dining expertise, strong business and financial acumen, emotional intelligence, and a passion for developing people by modeling the way.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Culinary Management, or a related field required; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered in lieu of a degree; Advanced degree preferred
• Previous multi-site (multi-client) contract foodservice experience within colleges and universities, higher education dining 
• 10+ years of related operations experience
• 7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience
• At least 3 years overseeing multiple locations and client relationships within a district or regional structure
• Strong understanding of higher education dining, including residential dining, retail operations, catering, conference services, and campus partnerships
• Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance management
• Ability to build credibility and maintain strong relationships in both virtual and in-person environments
• Adaptability, critical thinking, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• Strong presentation, active listening, and written communication skills
• Valid, unrestricted driver's license
• ServSafe certification and formal allergen training preferred

Why You'll Love Working at Creative Dining Services

At Creative Dining Services, we believe hospitality starts with people. We are committed to creating an environment where leaders can grow professionally, make a meaningful impact, and build careers they are proud of.

Our Higher Education team partners with colleges and universities to create dining experiences that enrich campus life, foster community, and support student success. We value integrity, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and servant leadership, and we're looking for leaders who share those values.

As an Area Director, you'll have the opportunity to influence multiple campus communities, develop future hospitality leaders, and help shape the continued growth of our Higher Education sector.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive Compensation
• Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development & Leadership Training
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Support & Wellness Benefits

Work Environment & Travel

• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand, walk, or move throughout the day as needed.
• Use of standard office, foodservice, and hospitality equipment.
• Travel is expected to be approximately 75-80% , including overnight travel, to support multiple campus locations throughout the region.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Creative Dining Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.