Director of Dining Services and Operations

Overview

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering high-quality services that enhance the campus experience? Join UAF as the leader of Dining Services and Contract Operations (DSCO), where you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of dining, retail, and campus life. In this dynamic position, you’ll collaborate with executive leadership to set the vision for all contractual services under DSCO—including campus dining (residential, retail, catering, and food trucks), meal plans, vending, alcohol permitting, bookstore operations, and trademark licensing.

From contract negotiation and vendor partnerships to facility planning and market research, your work will directly impact student satisfaction and campus vibrancy.

You’ll manage the full contract lifecycle—research, bidding, negotiation, implementation, and oversight—while ensuring compliance with university policies and industry best practices. You’ll also lead efforts to modernize services based on student feedback, campus planning, and market trends. If you're looking for a leadership opportunity that combines strategic planning, financial management, customer service, and innovation in a fast-paced university environment, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

• Lead and align DSCO contractual services with the campus vision, including dining, meal plans, vending, alcohol permitting, bookstore operations, and trademark licensing.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle: research, bidding, negotiation, implementation, and ongoing oversight.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and external partners to drive improvements based on student feedback and market trends.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and industry best practices; oversee facility planning and vendor partnerships.

• Strong foundation in Auxiliary, Recharge, and Contract Operations; deep knowledge of dining services (including NACUFS practices), bookstore operations, trademark licensing, and contract management.
• Minimum six years of progressively responsible management experience with contracts and external vendors in a business setting.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to work with diverse populations; strong negotiation, implementation, and lifecycle management capabilities.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and ability to develop long-range plans; adaptability to changing university needs and ability to advise executive leadership on industry trends.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field (or equivalent combination of training and experience) as a minimum requirement.

This is a full-time, exempt staff position with a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a comprehensive compensation package including retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and medical/dental/vision coverage. New hires are placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 82, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on August 11, 2025. To ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on 08/10/2025. To view the full list of job responsibilities, please .

For questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, SBO Sr. HRC, at bmthimsen.

• To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who require visa sponsorship are not eligible.
• The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. Reasonable accommodations are available during the applicant screening process. Contact UA Human Resources for assistance.
• The successful applicant must complete a background check; any offer is contingent on the background check.
• Public disclosure of employment applications is subject to the Alaska Public Records Act.

• Each UA system university publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report with campus safety information. Access is provided to the UAA, UAF, and UAS reports online or by request.

Note:

This description contains information about safety and security reports and is intended for prospective applicants. For additional details, please refer to the respective campus resources.