Job Description

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

Are you a hands-on Dining leader who knows how to deliver an exceptional experience for an affluent senior living clientele?

We’re looking for an established senior living leader with the operational expertise, presence, and passion to travel across our CCRC portfolio—elevating dining programs, coaching teams, and creating experiences residents truly value.

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.



Assists Executive Directors, Area Directors, Divisional Directors of Operations and Senior Directors of Dining Service in the following duties: Operating as the Director, Dining Services at a community directing food service operations within the community including all food preparation, dining room operations and dining delivery services. Purchases all food and manages inventory ensuring effective cost controls and vendor service and quality. Ensures the highest nutrition and food quality for the health and pleasure of the residents. Complies with all federal, state and local regulations to ensure sanitary and safe operations. Plans and executes entertaining dining events and themes in conjunction with Activities Director, Marketing Director and other administrative staff to optimize the life and pleasure of the residents. May also cater events as requested by residents or staff. May be utilized to fill in for Director of Dining Service that are on PTO or leave.

1. Hiring and training appropriate staff, resolving food cost problems, resolving food quality issues, addressing sanitation concerns, improving efficiency of dining services operation, and resolving dining services labor issues. May be utilized to fill in for Director, Dining Services on PTO or leave.
2. Hires, trains and manages all supervisory staff for the kitchen, dining room, and catering and delivery services. Ensures that supervisors maintain a safe and sanitary environment and provide a caring and pleasurable dining experience for the residents. Coach’s supervisors in maintaining appropriate staffing levels and effectively motivating, disciplining and training associates.
3. Consults with chefs and cooks to develop and maintain pleasing and nutritious menus. Assesses and determines the desires and preferences of the residents regarding food selection and presentation through surveys and daily contact with residents. Ensures preferences are incorporated into the menu and events. Understands the dietary needs of residents and coordinates with dietitians, nursing staff, and care associates to ensure proper selection, preparation and delivery of meals.
4. Develops department budget including purchasing and staffing expenditures. Approves food orders from company or selected food vendors and ensures a proper level of inventory to meet demand and minimize cost and waste. Routinely monitors budget compliance and recommends changes as needed to maintain operational quality and resident satisfaction.
5. Encourages the identification of enjoyable ways to encourage socialization and enjoyment of residents through the use of food presentation and events. Improves the décor and condition of dining rooms to ensure a safe and pleasant experience.
6. Assists with the start-up of new dining services departments; reviews the menu system for accuracy, assists with the setup of kitchen and reviews small ware delivery for accuracy.
7. Trains dining services and other staff on dining services systems, and "Trains the Trainer".
8. Assists with the development and revision of dining services forms, policies, procedures and training tools.
9. Supports roll out and utilization of national, regional and local vendor programs for food service departments and measures compliance along with effectiveness of quality results.
10. Participates in ongoing product reviews, testing and vendor and manufacturer evaluation in conjunction with the purchasing director and national purchasing department.
11. Provides information and input to the Corporate Office regarding national food service programs.

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.) from four-year College or university preferred. A minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the food service industry including at least three of those years in a responsible supervisory role of others preparing food and servicing customers. Experience to include management of food inventories and budgets.

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. Ability to manage a large number of associates directly and through other supervisors to create a productive and motivated department.

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. 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. Ability to manage a food service operation budget providing 3 meals per day, 7 days a week to large numbers of residents and visitors. 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
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Taste or smell
• Ability to lift: up to 50 pounds
• Vision
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• On-Call on an as needed basis
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and infections
• Exposure to latex
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemical, infectious, or biological hazards
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, or cuts from equipment
• Requires Travel: Frequently

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