Alliance/Partner Management, Budget Management, Budgeting, Business Growth, Business Operations, Business Support, Catering Services, Coaching, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Contract Requirements, Corporate Policies, Cost Control, Customer Experience, Customer Relations, Customer Satisfaction, Facilities Management, Financial Management, Financial Operations, Food Services, Forecasting, Higher Education, Industrial Relations, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Operational Improvement, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Profit & Loss, Profit & Loss Management, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Safety/Work Safety, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Vehicle Driving
Join Sodexo and make an impact by creating exceptional campus dining experiences while building strong partnerships and leading a talented team at the University of New Haven.
Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking a dynamic and strategic Resident District Manager to lead dining operations at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. This highly visible leadership role serves as the primary point of contact for a complex campus dining program with multiple locations and service offerings.
The ideal candidate will bring prior higher education dining experience, exceptional client relationship skills, and a proven ability to drive operational excellence, financial performance, and team development. This position is heavily client-focused, with approximately 70% of time dedicated to client engagement, strategic partnership, and stakeholder relations, while balancing operational leadership and financial accountability.
We are looking for a solution-oriented leader who understands how to align dining services with client expectations, build strong teams, and grow a successful business within a unionized environment.
What You'll Do:
- Serve as the senior Sodexo leader and primary client partner for the University of New Haven dining program.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with university leadership, campus stakeholders, and student groups to ensure exceptional client satisfaction.
- Lead multiple dining locations and managers while ensuring operational excellence across all service areas.
- Drive financial performance through budget management, forecasting, labor management, and cost controls.
- Develop and execute strategies that support business growth, student engagement, and innovation.
- Ensure compliance with Sodexo standards, company policies, safety regulations, and client contractual obligations.
- Coach, mentor, and develop management teams to foster engagement, accountability, and career growth.
- Partner with campus leadership to identify opportunities, solve challenges, and deliver customized solutions that meet evolving client needs.
- Manage labor relations and maintain a positive working relationship within a unionized workforce.
- Monitor key performance indicators and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service, quality, and profitability.
What We Offer:
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Proven leadership experience within higher education dining, campus dining, or a similarly complex food service environment.
- Strong client-facing skills with a demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience leading large, multi-unit food service operations with accountability for financial performance and operational results.
- Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and P&L accountability.
- Experience managing within a union environment.
- A track record of developing high-performing teams and creating a culture of engagement and accountability.
- Demonstrated success growing a business, driving operational improvements, and delivering innovative solutions.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- A solution-minded approach with the ability to anticipate client needs and deliver results that exceed expectations.
Who We Are:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years