Director, Hospitality Services

Job PurposeReporting to the Associate Vice-President, Housing & Hospitality, the Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and integrated management of contracted and self-operated dining, retail, catering, beverage and licensed services across the University’s campuses and properties.
The Director establishes multi-year priorities, service models, and financial strategies that advance student experience, food quality, affordability, inclusivity, sustainability, and financial performance. Operating within institutional priorities and enterprise risk frameworks, the Director ensures that major service contracts, franchises, and campus partnerships achieve established service and financial objectives and respond to the diverse needs of students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
The Director is accountable for contract and financial management, procurement, food safety and regulatory compliance, service models, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement, and leads significant service transformations, including the transition to an all-you-care-to-eat residential dining model. As a member of the Housing & Hospitality Services leadership team, the Director works closely with divisional leaders to align service delivery, infrastructure planning, financial stewardship and the student and guest experience across the division.
Status: Full-time (35 hours per week), RegularSalary Range: $128,095 - $170,793 per annum (i.E. $4,926.72 - $6,568.96 bi-weekly)Hiring Range: $128,095 - $142,327 per annum (i.E. $4,926.72 - $5,474.13 bi-weekly)Band: EXEMPT - 9Start Date: January 2027
The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check/ Vulnerable Sector Check dated within the past six (6) months as a condition of employment in accordance with Trent University's Police Record Check Policy
For more information, please view the full Position Description.
Trent University is actively committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact View email address on ca.hrm.tc.
The position is based primarily in Peterborough, with some regular travel to the Durham campus expected. A hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and 2 days remote is available.
Education Required:
Master’s degree in business administration, hospitality management, food service management or a related discipline. A combination of relevant education and significant experience may be considered.
Certifications Required:
Professional certification related to food services, hospitality, business or auxiliary services is considered an asset.
Must hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, Smart Serve certification.
Experience/Qualifications Required:
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in food services, hospitality, auxiliary services or a comparable complex service environment.
Significant experience overseeing large-scale hospitality operations delivered through a combination of contracted and self-operated models and managing complex operating and capital budgets, financial forecasting, revenue performance and contribution targets.
Experience negotiating, implementing and managing major service contracts, commercial partnerships, franchises and competitive procurement processes.
Experience leading operational change, service redesign, capital projects or the implementation of new hospitality and dining models is preferred.
Comprehensive knowledge of food service best practices, food safety, public health, liquor licensing, occupational health and safety, accessibility, risk management and other regulatory requirements applicable to hospitality operations.
Proven ability to establish strategic priorities, analyze complex financial and operational information, exercise sound judgment and make decisions within established institutional authorities and risk frameworks.
Demonstrated leadership and people-management experience, including the ability to develop employees, lead through change and provide effective performance oversight to contracted service providers.
Exceptional communication, consultation, negotiation, relationship-management and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to balance diverse and potentially competing stakeholder interests.
Experience working in a unionized and postsecondary environment is preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and the ability to apply these principles to service design, employment practices and stakeholder relationships.
Knowledge of relevant legislation and university operations.
An Ontario G Class driver's license with access to a vehicle.
A satisfactory Criminal Record Check ('Police Record Check'), dated within the past six (6) months, is required as a condition of employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr