Floating Director Of Dining Services - Lexington, KY

Floating Director Of Dining Services

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what's right, every time.

We are nourishing a brighter future.

Job Summary

The Floating Director of Dining Services is responsible for supporting all aspects of dining operations at a private or independent K-12 school, ensuring exceptional service, food quality, and client satisfaction. This role involves traveling to varying accounts within the region, overseeing daily operations, managing financial performance, leading a diverse team, and building strong relationships with school stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on leader with a passion for food service excellence, team development, and creating a welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, and guests.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, school administrators, students, and guests, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the executive chef and culinary team to design and implement seasonal menus and new culinary programs.
• Manage all financial aspects of the account including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period-end closing.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; foster a culture of safety for associates and guests.
• Conduct daily pre-service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews; provide coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Drive participation and customer engagement through marketing, menu innovation, promotional events, and catering showcases.
• Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining areas.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality, culinary arts, business, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive food service management experience, preferably in school dining, contract services, or high-volume hospitality.
• Proven experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Strong background in catering, special events, and high-volume food production.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage deadlines, and execute strategic initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an outstanding dining experience.
• Consistent travel is required in this role.

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA.

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining 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.