Meriwether Godsey, Inc. logo

Director of Dining Services

Job Overview

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Compensation

Salary
Range $83,000.00 - $90,000.00
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Benefits

competitive pay
meals
Leadership support & development
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance

Job Description

Meriwether Godsey is a prominent hospitality company specializing in foodservice management and dining experiences primarily within private schools and other exclusive venues. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, Meriwether Godsey has established itself as a leader in delivering exceptional culinary services combined with outstanding event management. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, diversity, and sustainability while providing a supportive and dynamic work environment for its team members. Known for its dedication to client satisfaction and innovative dining concepts, Meriwether Godsey continuously strives to set the standard for hospitality in the Greater DC market.

Currently, Meriwether Godsey is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Dining Services to join their team. This key leadership role focuses on overseeing the food production program and managing special events at a prestigious private school. The Director of Dining Services will lead culinary and management operations, ensuring the seamless execution of daily dining services as well as high-end catering events. This role requires a visionary with strong culinary skills, creative insight, and a passion for excellence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Director will be responsible for supporting operational activities to maintain smooth and efficient food service operations that uphold the Meriwether Godsey brand standard. Financial management is also a crucial aspect of the role, encompassing budget planning, cost analysis, and reporting to meet and exceed operating and financial goals. Leading by example, the Director will engage, mentor, and develop team members through continuous coaching, feedback, and support.

A major component of the role involves overseeing meal preparation with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and scratch cooking. The Director will either support or directly manage menu development, purchasing, and production while keeping up with the latest culinary trends and sustainable practices. In addition to daily dining services, the Director will manage high-end catering functions, coordinating bookings, planning, execution, and client communications. Maintaining HACCP standards and a healthy environment for clients, customers, and employees is paramount.

The Director of Dining Services also plays a vital role in human resource functions, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and continual growth and development of the service team. This leadership position is geared toward creating an inclusive environment where both staff and guests feel valued, supported, and engaged. Meriwether Godsey encourages applications from candidates who are collaborative, client-focused, and ready to contribute to a fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere where hospitality excellence is celebrated and career advancement is actively encouraged.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or ten years of related experience
  • 5+ years experience in contract food service operation, high-end catering management, and campus dining experience, prior independent day school dining management highly preferred
  • Participative management style and excellent leadership skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Account and project management skills
  • Knowledge of food safety (HACCP), sanitation, and overall workplace safety standards
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team environment while fostering strong client and customer relationships

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or ten years of related experience
  • 5+ years experience in contract food service operation, high-end catering management, and campus dining experience, prior independent day school dining management highly preferred
  • Participative management style and excellent leadership skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Account and project management skills
  • Knowledge of food safety (HACCP), sanitation, and overall workplace safety standards
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team environment while fostering strong client and customer relationships
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification preferred
  • Application and promotion of current food trends
  • Proficiency and growing knowledge of sustainable practices
  • Prior executive chef experience preferred at this account

Job Duties

  • Support account activities to ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently and reflect the MG brand
  • Support account-based financial planning, budget/cost analysis, and reporting to set, monitor, and achieve operating and financial goals
  • Lead by example
  • engaging and developing direct reports and team members through ongoing support, monitoring, coaching, and feedback
  • Lead teams in preparing meals while embracing fresh, local, scratch, support, and/or manage menu development, purchasing, and production, incorporating the latest trends and practices
  • Support high-end catering, including booking, planning, execution, and communication
  • Foster an inclusive environment for all staff and guests
  • maintain effective client and customer-centric relationships
  • Maintain HACCP standards and a healthy environment for clients, customers, and employees
  • Support personnel-related functions, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, growth and development of team members, and performance monitoring

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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