Director of Dining Services - Gilman School

FISD

Salary: $80000 - $90000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: N/A

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school food service across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional food service experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just food service – we take it to the next level by offering cutting‑edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily.

By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person ,
creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right , every time.

The Director of Dining Services is responsible for leading all aspects of dining operations at a private or independent K–12 school, ensuring outstanding service, food quality, and client happiness. This role involves leading all aspects of daily operations, handling financial performance, leading a team with dynamic strengths, and building positive relationships with school partners. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on leader with a passion for food service excellence, team development, and creating a welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, and guests.

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, school administrators, students, and guests, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to design and implement seasonal menus and new culinary programs.
• Lead all financial aspects of the account including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period‑end closing.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; champion a culture of safety for associates and guests.
• Conduct daily pre‑service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
• Conduct mid‑year and annual performance reviews; provide mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Drive participation and customer engagement through marketing, menu innovation, promotional events, and catering showcases.
• Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining areas.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of dynamic food service management experience, preferably in school dining, contract services, or high‑volume hospitality.
• Confirmed experience leading budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Strong background in catering, special events, and high‑volume food production.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, handle deadlines, and implement critical initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Serv Safe Certification preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA.

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Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position…