Associate Director of Dining Operations - Thorne Hall

Posting Number S01389JP

Department Dining Service - Thorne Hall

Job Summary

Applications accepted until 3/12/25

Bowdoin College is in Brunswick Maine with a student population of almost 2000. Our Dining Team make everything from scratch and are consistently rated in the top 10 for college dining! We have our own butcher shop, bakeshop, and organic garden that all supply food to our 2 dining halls and 3 retail locations.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Dining Services, we are seeking a Associate Director of Dining Operations to provide operational and administrative oversight for multiple dining venues and administrative departments. This oversight primarily extends to Thorne Dining Hall. The Associate Director of Dining will assist the Executive Director of Dining Services with providing leadership and vision to the program, with a particular emphasis on daily operations in the assigned residential dining facility. Essential functions of this role, include, but are not limited to:

• Providing daily leadership and oversight to Thorne Dining Hall by serving as a visible presence and accessible resource for staff

• Working with senior leadership to strategically plan for fiscally sound operations, excellent customer service, and effective staff development, including serving as a primary point of contact for personnel related matters and proactively working with dining hall staff to promote career growth and engagement

• Increasing employee effectiveness and through personal and delegated efforts by recruiting, selecting, orientating, training, and developing staff.

• Evaluating direct-report subordinate employees and carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with department standard operating procedures by providing hands-on coaching, coordinated trainings, and mentoring for all staff

• Providing strategic vision and planning for the campus dining program.

  Education/Skills Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience; Master’s degree preferred

Applicants must possess excellent verbal and written communications skills; demonstrated knowledge of quality and nutrition standards for food and beverage items; demonstrated understanding of various purchasing strategies and their applications; ability to visually inspect products, storerooms and kitchens, be mobile between campus buildings and offices and able to work in varied weather conditions; self-motivation — must be a self-starter requiring minimal supervision with ability to prioritize and manage varied work responsibilities. Demonstrated interest and understanding of human resource development needs .

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

7-10 years of progressive food service experience is required. Strong preference for relevant institutional food service management experience. Experience with the use of food service menu management software and implementation in commercial kitchens. Demonstrated ability to effectively lead large teams of employees with varying roles. Experience with personnel relations and employee development is strongly preferred.

Standard Work Days and Hours

This is an exempt position requiring the time commitment necessary to successfully complete job requirements and effectively lead operations. This position is onsite and typically works a Monday-Friday schedule, but must be willing and able to work evenings, late night hours, and weekends in order to support special events and operational gaps as needed.

COMPENSATION

• The salary range for this position is expected to be: $90,000 – $98,000

  BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)

• Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution, no match or vesting required

• Life and Disability Insurance

• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time

• Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html

• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)

• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool

• Free fitness and wellness classes!

• And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

  About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? Yes

Posting Date 03/07/2025

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting Internal

Special Instructions to Applicants

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Supplemental Questions