Traveling Director of Dining

Recognized by Newsweek in 2024 and 2025 as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.

About the role

We’re looking for an established senior living leader with the operational expertise, presence, and passion to travel across our CCRC portfolio—elevating dining programs, coaching teams, and creating experiences residents truly value.

Make Lives Better Including Your Own. If you want to work in an environment where you can become your best possible self, join us! You’ll earn more than a paycheck; you can find opportunities to grow your career through professional development, as well as ongoing programs catered to your overall health and wellness.

Responsibilities

• Assists Executive Directors, Area Directors, Divisional Directors of Operations, and Senior Directors of Dining Service in directing food service operations within communities, including all food preparation, dining room operations, and dining delivery services.
• Purchases all food and manages inventory, ensuring effective cost controls and vendor service and quality.
• Ensures the highest nutrition and food quality for the health and pleasure of the residents while complying with all federal, state, and local regulations for sanitary and safe operations.
• Plans and executes entertaining dining events and themes in conjunction with Activities Director, Marketing Director, and other administrative staff to optimize residents' life and pleasure. May also cater events as requested by residents or staff.
• May fill in for Director of Dining Services on PTO or leave.
• Hires, trains, and manages all supervisory staff for the kitchen, dining room, catering, and delivery services, ensuring a safe, sanitary, and pleasurable dining experience for residents.
• Coaches supervisors in maintaining appropriate staffing levels and effectively motivating, disciplining, and training associates.
• Consults with chefs and cooks to develop and maintain pleasing and nutritious menus, incorporating resident preferences through surveys and daily contact.
• Coordinates with dietitians, nursing staff, and care associates to meet residents' dietary needs.
• Develops and monitors the department budget, including purchasing and staffing expenditures, and ensures proper inventory levels to minimize cost and waste.
• Encourages socialization and enjoyment through food presentation, events, and dining room décor improvements.
• Assists with the start-up of new dining services departments, including menu system reviews, kitchen setup, and small ware delivery accuracy.
• Trains dining services and other staff on systems and "Trains the Trainer."
• Assists with the development and revision of dining services forms, policies, procedures, and training tools.
• Supports the rollout and utilization of national, regional, and local vendor programs for food service departments, measuring compliance and effectiveness.
• Participates in ongoing product reviews, testing, and vendor evaluations in conjunction with the purchasing director and national purchasing department.
• Provides input to the Corporate Office regarding national food service programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the food service industry, including at least three years in a responsible supervisory role.
• Experience managing food inventories and budgets.
• Must obtain/hold any local, state, and/or county-required food handling/sanitation licenses and/or certificates.
• Must be ServSafe Certified. Registered dietitian or Certified Dietary Manager preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a private vehicle for business use.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of food preparation, delivery, and food service operations.
• Ability to manage a large team directly and through supervisors to create a productive and motivated department.
• Strong communication skills to address staff, residents, and visitors courteously and effectively.
• Ability to understand and incorporate residents' dining and nutritional needs into operations.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations regarding food safety and sanitation.
• Ability to manage budgets for food service operations providing 3 meals per day, 7 days a week.
• Willingness to communicate residents' physical and emotional needs to skilled staff for care coordination.

Benefits

Full suite of health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans available, varying by employment status.

• Part- and Full-Time Benefits Eligibility:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Associate assistance program
  • Employee discounts
  • Referral program
  • Early access to earned wages for hourly associates (outside of CA)
  • Optional voluntary benefits including ID theft protection and pet insurance
• Full-Time Only Benefits Eligibility:
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid holidays
  • Company-provided life insurance
  • Adoption benefit
  • Disability (short and long term)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health Savings Account
  • Optional life and dependent life insurance
  • Optional voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, and legal plan
  • Tuition reimbursement

Brookdale offers to advance fees for naturalization (Form N-400) application costs, up to $725 (less applicable taxes and withholding), for qualified associates who have been with the company for at least a year.

Veterans, transitioning active duty military personnel, and military spouses are encouraged to apply.

Pay

Base pay in range will be determined by applicant’s skills and experience. Full-time associates in this role are also eligible for an annual bonus incentive.

Schedule

• Occasional weekend, evening, or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage.
• On-call on an as-needed basis.
• Requires frequent travel.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing, walking, sitting, use of hands and fingers to handle or feel.
• Reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Talking, hearing, tasting, or smelling.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements.
• Interaction with co-workers, residents, or vendors.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, infections, latex, blood-borne pathogens, various drugs, chemicals, infectious or biological hazards.
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, or cuts from equipment.

About Us

• Gracious hospitality and neighborliness for residents and families.
• Home-like feel and all-around comfort for residents and visiting family members.
• Entertaining events and gatherings to foster connections among residents.
• Industry leader in clinical care.
• Nationwide company with 589 communities as of November 30, 2025, offering opportunities to grow and learn.
• Extensive corporate support, including a robust training program.