REGIONAL DIRECTOR OPERATIONS - CHARTWELLS HIGHER EDUCATION - REMOTE

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Location: Chicago, IL

Salary: $165,000 - $175,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus potential, Company Vehicle, Full Benefits

At over 300 college & universities around the country, Chartwells Higher Education is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience. We are challenging the norm and setting new standards by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. We are food-forward difference makers, bound together by a desire to feed hungry minds and prepare students for success.

We are seeking hungry, humble and smart associates who are looking to join and grow with a diverse organization. We invite you to start your career journey with us and look forward to hearing from you.

Job Summary

Chartwells Higher Education is seeking a self-motivated individual for a new Regional Director of Operations role. Working as a RDO you will serve as a strategic operational leader across a portfolio of higher education dining accounts and lead, manage, and inspire a team of other leaders in your region. This role provides hands-on leadership, driving operational excellence, financial performance, client satisfaction, and team development in a dynamic environment. You will be part of the regional leadership team and provide planning, direction, and guidance to the accounts in your territory, while establishing and maintaining strong client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads, manages, and inspires a diverse team of Managers, General Managers and/or Director of Dining Services, and their teams, to ensure service excellence.
• Drives self and team towards building strong relationships with clients at all levels and achievement of KPIs (profitability, safety, engagement, etc.)
• Serves on regional leadership team and regularly communicates to share best practices, mitigate risks, champion diversity, and build community.
• Owns all accounts within assigned territory, ensuring input from and thoughtful communication with key partners.
• Makes decisions grounded in balance of risk/reward and short/long term implications.
• Supports RVPs in setting cultural tone in region. Meets regularly with extended team to ensure transparency, understanding, safety, accountability, and alignment.
• Serves as representative/brand ambassador of the Chartwells team to senior clients in territory and acts as escalation point.
• Works with regional team members to ensure Sales and Retention process is smooth for all accounts (presentations, negotiations, etc.).
• Collaborates with key partners to support regional initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with QA and food safety policies, along with completing all reporting on time.
• Champions development in partnership with RVP within the region. Conducts performance evaluations, along with succession planning, with focus on building multi-unit management skills. Has full understanding of all roles in operation.
• Owns the financial results/P&L for assigned territory and works with leadership team to ensure accuracy for reporting, forecasting, and budgeting processes.
• Ensures consistent and fair administration of all policies and procedures.
• Recognizes and anticipates marketplace trends and participates in regional strategic planning meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, or eight (8) years progressive experience in multi-unit foodservice, hospitality management in lieu of degree.
• Strong background in senior leadership roles with exposure to contract food service management/budget management, customer service, people development.
• Proven track record of growing a business and leading teams.
• Demonstrated financial acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to think quickly, analytically, strategically.
• Strong client relationship building, influencing, listening, and communications (written and verbal) skills.
• Champions an inclusive mindset and is proactive, positive, professional, flexible, and resilient.
• Demonstrates initiative, multi-tasking, prioritization and organization skills.
• Extensive travel required in this position – 60%.

Embark on a dynamic career journey with us, where innovation and creativity thrive, and your contributions make a tangible impact on campus life with Chartwells Higher Ed!

Apply to Chartwells Higher Education today!

Chartwells Higher Education is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story (

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Chartwells Higher Ed maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Chartwells Higher Ed are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here ( or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Req ID: 1495137

Chartwells HE

CINDY SCHOENFELD

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If you have questions about this posting, please contact [email protected]