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SENIOR EXEC DIR, DINING & EVENT SERVICES
Job Title: SENIOR EXEC DIR, DINING & EVENT SERVICES
Job Code: 1890
FLSA: E
Job Level: 98
Revised Date: 08/01/2025
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
The Executive Director, Dining, Conference, and Venue Services provides strategic and operational leadership for an integrated portfolio of essential campus services within the Division of Student Affairs, including Dining Services, Conference & Event Services, Venue & Production Management, and Student Affairs Information Technology Services (ITS). Serving as the senior leader for a dynamic, multifaceted enterprise exceeding $50 million in annual operations, the Executive Director shapes the vision, strategy, and business development of Duke???s dining, hospitality, and event ecosystem. This role fosters a campus environment that reflects Duke???s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community ??? offering exceptional experiences for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Work Performed
Strategic Planning and Leadership
Partner with the Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs to establish and implement a comprehensive strategic vision for dining, conference, and venue services aligned with Duke???s institutional priorities and the QuadEx residential model.
Provide visionary leadership for an integrated hospitality portfolio, including long-term capital planning, facility renewal, vendor selection, and service innovation.
Lead strategic business development initiatives that expand Duke???s external event partnerships, summer conference programs, and venue utilization opportunities to strengthen the university???s reputation and revenue base.
Oversee Student Affairs ITS to ensure technology supports service innovation, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency across the division.
Build and inspire a collaborative leadership team responsible for dining operations, event management, and production services, emphasizing creativity, excellence, and a culture of belonging.
Maintain awareness of emerging trends and best practices in higher education, hospitality, and food service to ensure Duke remains an industry leader.
Oversee the development and assessment of strategic and operational goals; promote continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability. Customer Service, Campus Engagement, and Partnership.
Ensure that all services provide a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging experience for students, faculty, staff, and campus guests.
Partner with university departments, academic units, and community organizations to design and deliver outstanding dining, event, and hospitality experiences.
Establish feedback and engagement mechanisms (surveys, advisory boards, focus groups) to evaluate satisfaction and inform service enhancements.
Collaborate with partners in Student Health, Recreation & Physical Education, Counseling & Psychological Services, and other Student Affairs units to advance holistic wellness and community well-being.
Promote Duke???s identity as a destination for premier university events, symposia, and conferences by ensuring high-quality production, logistics, and guest experiences.
Represent Duke University with professionalism and vision in vendor, professional association, and community settings.
Financial and Performance Management
Provide financial leadership for a complex portfolio of self-operated and contracted operations, ensuring programs meet or exceed annual financial goals.
Oversee development of budgets, business models, and financial forecasts; implement strategic plans for revenue generation and cost efficiency.
Lead vendor contract management and compliance, ensuring terms promote quality, accountability, and fiscal integrity.
Oversee capital renewal and facilities maintenance for dining and event venues, ensuring alignment with sustainability, accessibility, and campus standards.
Direct the development of performance metrics and dashboards to evaluate operational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
Advance sustainability efforts across all units, including local sourcing, waste reduction, and energy-efficient operations.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, labor, and university regulations, including all applicable OSHA, PCI, and food safety standards.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Bachelor???s degree in hospitality management, food service management, business administration, or a related field required; Master???s degree strongly preferred.
Experience
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in large-scale dining, hospitality, or conference operations, preferably within higher education or a comparably complex organization. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning,financial management, and staff leadership is essential.
Skills
Skills and experience to develop and implement a vision for creative and successful student dining systems.
Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
Familiarity with food information systems.
Experience in facilities management/renewal.
Strong management, administrative, budgeting and data-driven assessment skills.
Demonstrated success working within the policies and procedures of a large and complex organization.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal and external constituencies.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
