Director of Dining Services & Hospitality

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Director of Dining Services & Hospitality

Full Time Ames, IA, US

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1184

Come join the team at Northcrest Community, voted the Best Place to Work in Story County! Northcrest Community is a vibrant, active retirement community offering a full continuum of premier services to the older adults who call Northcrest home.

Northcrest Community is seeking a dynamic and service-driven Director of Dining Services & Hospitality to lead our culinary and dining operations with a focus on exceptional quality, hospitality, and resident experience. This role blends the operational excellence of a Dietary Manager with the service culture of a restaurant manager, ensuring that every dining interaction reflects warmth, dignity, and excellence.

The ideal candidate is passionate about creating memorable dining experiences, fostering a culture of hospitality, creative menu planning and delivering high‑quality, nutritious meals in a senior living environment.

Core Competencies

• Hospitality Mindset: A genuine passion for serving others with warmth and excellence
• Leadership: Ability to inspire, coach, and develop high‑performing teams
• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills
• Communication: Effective and compassionate communicator with residents, families, and staff
• Quality Focus: Commitment to continuous improvement and high standards

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Hospitality & Resident Experience

• Champion a culture of hospitality where residents and guests feel welcomed, valued, and known.
• Lead by example in delivering restaurant‑quality service with a personal touch.
• Engage regularly with residents to understand preferences, gather feedback, and continuously enhance the dining experience.
• Ensure dining environments are inviting, well‑maintained, and reflective of Northcrest’s standards.

Dining Operations Management

• Oversee all daily dining operations, including dining rooms, kitchen production, and special events.
• Ensure seamless coordination between culinary and service teams.
• Maintain high standards for food presentation, service timing, and overall experience.
• Manage scheduling, staffing levels, and workflow to optimize efficiency and service quality.

Culinary Quality & Nutrition

• Partner with culinary staff and dietitian to ensure meals are both nutritionally balanced and appealing.
• Ensure compliance with all dietary requirements, therapeutic diets, and resident‑specific needs.
• Uphold high standards for food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Recruit, train, and mentor team members with a focus on hospitality, professionalism, and accountability.
• Foster a positive, team‑oriented culture grounded in respect and service excellence.
• Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback to elevate both service and culinary standards.
• Determine Staffing needs of the Department necessary to meet the demands of the business.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate dining services through resident feedback, surveys, and direct observation.
• Implement improvements that enhance both quality and hospitality.
• Stay current with trends in senior living dining and restaurant service innovation.
• Manage departmental budgets, including food, labor, and supplies.
• Monitor cost controls while maintaining high quality.
• Oversee inventory management and vendor relationships.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Food Service Management, Nutrition, or related field preferred. A Culinary Arts Degree or Diploma may be substituted for the Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience in dining services, hospitality, or restaurant management.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare dining, or hospitality environments preferred.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or ability to obtain certification within three months of hire.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and dietary compliance standards.

Northcrest is the only non‑profit, locally owned and managed retirement community in Ames. We offer a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, 401(k), vacation time, holidays and sick time. Scholarship and tuition assistance available for advancing educational pursuits.

If you have a heart for serving others, love seniors and are looking for a job that fills your bucket, look no further.

Northcrest Community participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E‑Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

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