Villanova University
Executive Director of Dining Services
Founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine and located 12 miles outside of Philadelphia on a picturesque 260-acre campus, Villanova University is a co-educational Catholic research institution with an enrollment of 6,700 undergraduate and 3,100 graduate and law students. With a Carnegie classification of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity," Villanova offers over 170 degree programs across the university's six colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and the College of Professional Studies. Villanova has again been included among the top institutions in U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings for national universities – yet another indication of the university's continued prominence and forward momentum.
The Villanova University dining program is a fully self-operated, expansive, innovative, and award-winning program with a $47 million budget, consisting of 17 internally branded retail locations and three resident dining halls. Retail operations include three convenience stores, seven coffee shops, and seven a la carte dining options. The residential meal plan program generates more than 5,200 annual meal plan sales. In July of 2024, Villanova University will acquire Cabrini University, a nearby 112-acre campus that will provide a once-in-a-career opportunity to design and build a dining program unique to that campus.
The Position
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services, the Executive Director of Dining Services is a new position for Villanova University that will provide innovative, strategic, and comprehensive senior leadership for all dining services operations for the Villanova campuses. The Executive Director manages and leads a dynamic staff of over 300 full- and part-time employees, including five direct reports, with an expanded role to create, develop, and manage the dining operations at the new Cabrini campus.
The Executive Director will actively collaborate with all university stakeholders to develop best practices and successful implementation for all operations and, in collaboration with their direct reports, plan, administer, and organize the daily business management practices of the department. The Executive Director will evaluate all current operational and business practices, make recommendations to develop and implement new strategies, and ensure efficient execution by the leadership team with exceptional accountability. Above all, the Executive Director of Dining Services must be a visionary in the collegiate dining environment, overseeing state-of-the-art dining facilities that promote quality leadership, innovation, culinary excellence, stellar customer service and delivery, operational efficiencies, and overall outstanding dining programs.
Qualifications
The position requires a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in hospitality, restaurant/hotel management, business administration, or a related field and ten years of progressive leadership or senior management experience in a large-scale food and beverage operation. At least five years of experience working in a higher education setting is preferred. The successful candidate will be highly focused on the needs of the students and on consistently improving the student experience, maintain exemplary budget management experience, and possess a demonstrated understanding of customers' dietary needs, including, but not limited to, nutrition, religious, and ADA requirements.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin April 19, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at https://apptrkr.com/5133297. Nominations for this position may be emailed to James E. Prince at jep@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Public Salary Range: Please contact search consultant.
Visit the Villanova website at https://www1.villanova.edu.
Villanova University advances its Augustinian mission through the contributions of a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and strives to provide a respectful and welcoming environment informed by the belief in the humanity and intrinsic worth of all members of our community regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. The University's Non-Discrimination and Non-Harassment Policy (available in full at Villanova's website) informs the University community of Villanova's commitment to preventing and addressing prohibited discrimination and harassment.