Assistant Director Student Affairs Facilities – Dining Operations

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Student Affairs Facilities – Dining Operations is responsible for supporting the Division of Student Affairs by managing and maintaining board and retail dining facilities. The Assistant Director serves as the direct contact for TCU Dining Services operational staff for maintenance, repair contracts and equipment inventory. The Assistant Director will serve as a conduit between TCU Dining Services, Student Affairs Facilities, and TCU Facilities to ensure operational success and continuity.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Maintains all university dining facilities including residential dining halls, retail food venues, and athletic dining spaces by developing and implementing preventative maintenance and lifecycle replacement schedules; performing quality control on work performed by internal staff, contractors, and vendors; implementing productivity and uptime standards; resolving operational issues; responding to emergencies; maintaining records; and implementing new procedures.
2. Ensures operational continuity of dining services by proactively managing commercial kitchen systems including kitchen hood and fire suppression systems, refrigeration, freezers, dish machines, plumbing, electrical, and specialty food service equipment.
3. Manages the operational relationship with TCU Dining and contracted food service providers by coordinating maintenance schedules, service interruptions, capital improvements, and emergency response efforts to minimize disruption to meal service and revenue operations.
4. Develops short-term and long-term capital improvement plans for dining facilities and equipment by assessing system conditions, identifying risk exposure, prioritizing replacements, and collaborating with dining leadership on operational impacts.
5. Provides project oversight for dining facility renovations, equipment upgrades, and new construction projects, completing all required administrative processes and serving as the primary facilities representative throughout design, construction, commissioning, and close-out.
6. Oversees snack and beverage vending operations across campus.
7. Ensures compliance with health, safety, fire, and regulatory standards by working with Dining contractor to maintain inspection readiness, coordinating corrective actions, managing documentation, and partnering with Environmental Health & Safety and local authorities as needed.
8. Acts as liaison to University Facilities and campus partners for all dining-related infrastructure, coordinating utilities, shutdowns, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency response.
9. Acts as liaison to external retail units on campus (ex. Molly Reid ground floor).
10. Monitors operational efficiency across dining locations, identifying opportunities for equipment optimization.
11. Assists with planning and programming by contributing to the development and implementation of Facilities strategic plans.
12. Maintains staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; developing personal growth opportunities.
13. Maintains budgets by monitoring budget expenditures, evaluating expenses, authorizing payment of bills and making recommendations for changes; coordinating the budgeting process for the entire food service ecosystem to include Athletics and Main campus operations; preparing budget recommendations for the department based on the needs identified for each area, monitoring the use of approved funds and reporting results to director and internal staff.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in experience.
• 3 years’ experience in dining operations or facility management.
• Supervisory experience or experience overseeing maintenance projects can be concurrent

Preferred Education & Experience:

• 5+ year of experience working with commercial kitchen facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated understanding of college student life.
• Experience in budget/forecasting life cycles of equipment and replacement cycles.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must be insurable under the university motor vehicle requirements.

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of current trends in college student dining, i.e., construction and renovations, how design effects the college environment and college student development.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Knowledge of basic record keeping techniques.
• Knowledge of basic structural maintenance and building maintenance.
• Knowledge to troubleshoot and recommend improvements in operations.
• Knowledge of department specific software.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office.
• Skill in Microsoft Windows navigation techniques.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to train and lead staff.
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and provide working knowledge of Student Affairs facility systems.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is in an office setting and across campus in housing and dining facilities and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.