Assistant Director, Dining Services
Summary Of Responsibilities
The Assistant Director of Dining Services supports the overall leadership, operational execution, and performance of the Dining Services Department across all venues within the community. This role oversees daily dining operations, including staffing, service delivery, and resident experience, to ensure consistent, high-quality hospitality aligned with the organization’s brand, culture, values, and established standards, as well as all regulatory requirements.
Essential Functions
Operational Leadership and Continuity - Oversee daily dining operations across all venues and levels of care. Ensure consistent execution of service, hospitality, and operational standards. Provide on-site leadership during peak service periods, evenings, weekends, and emergencies. Assume full operational responsibility in the absence of the Director, including decision-making, staffing adjustments, and issue resolution.
Leadership, Management and Workforce Accountability - Lead, manage, and hold dining staff accountable for performance, conduct, and service standards. Oversee staffing, scheduling, and labor deployment, adjusting staffing plans in response to census, service demands, and operational needs. Promote a positive, team-focused work environment aligned with organizational values. Provide supervision, coaching, and development of team members to support high performance, engagement, retention, and professional growth.
Dining Operations and Service Execution - Direct operations across residential dining rooms, ensuring consistency in service, presentation, and efficiency. Coordinate with culinary leadership to ensure seamless front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Ensure high-quality service and operational effectiveness during meal service by monitoring service flow and staffing levels, conducting routine rounds, and implementing continuous improvements to the dining experience. Lead or oversee pre-meal meetings to communicate expectations, review service standards, and align staff for meal services.
Resident Experience And Hospitality - Ensure a welcoming, hospitality-driven dining environment that promotes resident satisfaction. Monitor resident satisfaction and ensure prompt response and service recovery related to feedback and concerns. Evaluate trends (comment cards, informal feedback) and drive improvements. Lead and support planning and execution of resident programs, themed dining, catering, and events to ensure service quality, presentation, and budget alignment.
Quality, Food and Regulatory Compliance - Ensure food quality, presentation, and service standards meet organizational expectations. Partner with culinary leadership to ensure seamless front-of-house and back-of-house coordination. Enforce Dining Services policies and procedures, including sanitation, infection control, uniform standards, and conduct expectations. Ensure compliance with organizational Human Resource policies and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Systems, Technology and Billing Oversight - Oversee dining systems, including POS, KDS, and other technology platforms to ensure accuracy and operational effectiveness. Review reports, analyze trends, and implement improvements to enhance performance. Ensure accuracy of resident dining charges and support billing audit processes (i.e., PCC/Cubigo). Train staff on dining systems and technology to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Special Events and Hospitality Programs - Lead or support execution of special events, holiday dining programs, and resident engagement experiences. Ensure events meet established standards for quality, service, and budget expectations. Serve as a liaison between Dining Services and other departments to support coordinated service delivery, resident needs, and operational efficiency.
Continuous Improvement and Leadership Development - Drive process consistency and lead initiatives to improve efficiency, service delivery, workflow, and operational performance across venues. Participates in ongoing training, leadership development, and succession planning efforts.
Required Skills/Abilities
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multi-unit dining operations in a fast-paced environment.
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills with the ability to drive accountability and performance.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with residents, families, staff, and leadership.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Working knowledge of budgeting, cost control, and financial performance management.
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements in a healthcare or senior living environment.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and operational reporting tools.
Strong attention to detail with commitment to accuracy and consistency.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position oversees the restaurant managers and dining services positions providing hospitality service and conducting front-of-the-house functions.
Core Values
AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing® in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.
COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.
COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.
INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.
RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.
TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.
The Highlands’ Traditions (Customer Service Expectations)
- SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.
- KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
- SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in “character” and performs the “role in the show.” Ensures work area is show-ready.
- EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.