Job Description

Brookdale is hiring a Regional Director of Dining Services who is responsible for supporting quality dining programs for a defined region of communities located in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. This position partners with Executive Directors, Dining Leaders, and District leaders to deliver exceptional hospitality, resident-centered dining experiences, and operational excellence.

This position requires frequent travel to communities within the region.

Prior experience overseeing multi-site dining in senior living, healthcare food service, hospitality, or contract dining operations

Recognized by Newsweek in 2024 and 2025 as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity

Make Lives Better Including Your Own. If you want to work in an environment where you can become your best possible self, join us! You’ll earn more than a paycheck; you can find opportunities to grow your career through professional development, as well as ongoing programs catered to your overall health and wellness. Full suite of health insurance, life insurance and retirement plans are available and vary by employment status.

Part and Full Time Benefits Eligibility

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Associate assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Referral program
• Early access to earned wages for hourly associates (outside of CA)
• Optional voluntary benefits including ID theft protection and pet insurance

Full Time Only Benefits Eligibility

• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Company provided life insurance
• Adoption benefit
• Disability (short and long term)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Optional life and dependent life insurance
• Optional voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity Insurance, and legal plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Base pay in range will be determined by applicant’s skills and experience. Full-time associates in role are also eligible for an annual bonus incentive. Temporary associates are not benefits eligible but may participate in the company’s 401(k) program.

Veterans, transitioning active duty military personnel, and military spouses are encouraged to apply. To support our associates in their journey to become a U.S. citizen, Brookdale offers to advance fees for naturalization (Form N-400) application costs, up to $725, less applicable taxes and withholding, for qualified associates who have been with us for at least a year.

The application window is anticipated to close within 30 days of the date of the posting.

Responsible for supporting quality dining programs for a defined region of communities. Acts as a subject matter expert to implement all dining fundamentals in their assigned communities. Responsible for supporting and ensuring dining standards (fundamentals) of excellence are being executing in their region, providing focused support for communities, District Directors of Operations to solve barriers to execution. Responsible for monitoring, providing guidance and coaching for results in key dining performance indicators, including memorable food experiences, food per resident day budget compliance, sanitation, compliance, regulatory, resident and family experience measured by overall food rating. Responsible for results in the region’s dining fundamental metrics

1. Supports regional operations team members, Executive Directors and Dining Service Directors, Coordinators and Managers in the following duties: hiring and training appropriate associates, root causing issues related to food expenses, food quality, kitchen sanitation, regulatory, memorable food experiences, resident and family satisfaction issues, addressing sanitation concerns, improving efficiency of dining services operation, and resolving dining services labor issues.

2. Leads and manages a team of Dining Specialists, strategically deploying them to various communities to elevate dining programs and drive service excellence.

3. Stays current on all Food Safety and Sanitation Codes, ensures all government regulations are adhered to.

4. Encourages teamwork through cooperative interactions with regional operations team

5. Trains dining services and other staff on dining services fundamentals.

6. Provides feedback on forms, policies, procedures and training tools to improve, simplify, experience for community dining services leaders.

7. Supports roll out and utilization in their region of national, regional and local vendor programs for dining departments and measures compliance along with effectiveness of quality results.

8. May participate in product reviews, new program feedback that is being tested or piloted in their region

9. Provides information and input to the dining leadership team regarding national food service programs.

10. Works closely with VP of Dining and Sr Director of Culinary and consults with dietitian when necessary to ensure meals meet the nutritional requirements of the residents.

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. An associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Culinary, Hospitality Management, Management, or other related field from four-year college or university preferred.
• A minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the food service industry including at least two of those years of experience in a multi-facility oversight role required.

Certifications, Licenses, and Other Special Requirements

Obtain/hold any local, state and/or county required food handling/sanitation licenses and/or certificates. Must be ServSafe Certified. Registered dietitian or Certified Dietary Manager preferred. Must have a valid driver license and access to a private vehicle for business use.

Management/Decision Making

Applies existing guidelines and procedures to make varied decisions within a department. Uses sound judgment and experience to solve moderately complex problems based on precedent, example, reasonableness or a combination of these.

Knowledge and Skills

Possesses extensive knowledge of a distinct skill or function and a thorough understanding of the organization and work environment. Has working knowledge of a functional discipline. Basic knowledge of PC's and Word Processing Software required, preferably in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to address staff, residents and visitors in a courteous and friendly manner. Ability to understand the dining and nutritional needs of residents and ability to incorporate residents’ desires into the dining services operation. Extensive knowledge of food preparation and delivery. Knowledgeable of all aspects of food service positions with food and beverage background. Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local regulations regarding the safety of food preparation and handling. Willingness to communicate perceived physical and emotional needs of residents to other skilled staff to assist with addressing their care needs.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Taste or smell
• Ability to lift: up to 25 pounds
• Vision
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• Requires Travel: Frequently

Brookdale is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.