DIRECTOR OPERATIONS- Campus Dining - Stephen F Austin State University- Nacogdoches, TX

Chartwells Higher Education is a leading provider of food service solutions at over 300 colleges and universities across the United States, dedicated to reinventing the on-campus dining experience. As part of Compass Group USA, a global leader in food services and hospitality, Chartwells is committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards. They invest in high-tech, food-focused social spaces designed to bring people together, fostering meaningful relationships and interactions. Chartwells operates with a mission to feed hungry minds by providing innovative and quality dining options that support student success and well-being.

Stephen F. Austin State University, located in Nacogdoches, Texas, partners with Chartwells Higher Education to enhance its dining services. Nacogdoches, known as the oldest town in Texas, boasts rich cultural traditions, a lively artistic scene, and a community-oriented atmosphere. The city offers a blend of down-home Texas comfort food, inventive burgers, TexMex, and international flavors, all enriched with local charm and hospitality. This setting provides an exciting environment for dining and community engagement.

The Director of Operations role at Stephen F. Austin State University, with a competitive salary starting at $100,000 plus relocation assistance, is a key leadership position within Chartwells' food service team. This role focuses on leading a high-volume, multi-unit dining operation that includes residential, retail, and catering services. The Director of Operations is responsible for planning and directing all operational aspects to achieve both financial and service excellence in a dynamic campus environment.

The Director of Operations serves as a vital leader who helps inspire, manage, and develop a diverse team to deliver outstanding service to students, faculty, and campus visitors. This role drives the team towards achieving critical performance indicators such as profitability, safety, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. Maintaining strong client relationships is also essential to fulfilling the mission and ensuring the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Responsibilities include overseeing safety, marketing, nutrition, and culinary functions while ensuring compliance with local, state, federal, and company policies. The Director of Operations champions a culture of transparency, education, accountability, and inclusion, fostering an environment where team members can thrive and succeed. Additionally, this role involves managing financial processes including forecasting, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring the ongoing financial health of the account.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of management experience in food service, preferably with a background in higher education board and retail operations. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong business and financial acumen, excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and a proactive leadership style. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and POS software is also expected. Chartwells is committed to diversity and equal opportunity and encourages candidates who are eager to grow professionally within a dynamic and supportive organization to apply.

In joining Chartwells Higher Education at Stephen F. Austin State University, the Director of Operations will play an influential role in shaping the campus dining experience, contributing to vibrant campus life, and supporting the academic journey of students through exceptional food service leadership.