Senior Director of Dining Services

AVISTA SENIOR LIVING MANAGEMENT LLC•Mesa, AZ

4d•$140,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Avista Senior Living is seeking a Senior Director of Dining Services to establish and lead the culinary vision across our portfolio of senior living communities. This role is responsible for creating a consistent, high-quality dining experience that supports resident wellness, choice, and hospitality while ensuring strong operational and financial performance. The Senior Director of Dining Services partners closely with community Dining Directors, Operations leadership, and clinical teams to elevate dining standards, develop culinary talent, ensure regulatory compliance, and continuously innovate the resident dining experience. This position serves as both a strategic leader and operational support partner, providing guidance, training, and hands-on assistance to communities when needed. At Avista Senior Living, dining is a core part of the resident experience. Our culinary programs focus on quality, hospitality, and resident choice, ensuring meals are both nourishing and meaningful. The Senior Director of Dining Services plays a key role in shaping this experience across our communities.

Requirements

7+ years of leadership experience in culinary operations, food service management, or senior living dining programs.
Strong knowledge of nutrition standards, modified diets, and food safety regulations.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and implement operational standards across multiple locations.
Excellent coaching, communication, and leadership skills.
Willingness to travel regularly to support community operations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or related field preferred.
Multi-site or corporate culinary leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish and communicate the company-wide culinary philosophy, including resident choice, hospitality standards, and wellness-focused dining.
Define and maintain dining standards across all communities to ensure a consistent and high-quality resident experience.
Develop menu cycles, culinary standards, and dining program guidelines.
Set expectations for food presentation, plating, and service.
Ensure dining programs support varying resident acuity levels, including modified diets and specialized nutrition needs.
Lead development and approval of core menus, seasonal features, and special culinary programs.
Partner with external vendors, registered dietitians, and nutrition partners to ensure quality and compliance.
Ensure menus meet nutritional guidelines and support modified diets, allergens, and specialized dietary needs.
Promote variety, seasonal ingredients, and resident-centered dining choices.
Establish benchmarks for food cost, labor management, and productivity across communities.
Support communities with forecasting, purchasing strategies, and inventory management.
Standardize vendor relationships and product utilization where appropriate.
Identify communities needing additional support and provide hands-on operational guidance to improve performance.
Develop training standards and resources for Dining Directors, cooks, and dining service staff.
Partner with leadership on recruiting, onboarding, and performance development of culinary team members.
Coach dining leaders on leadership, operational management, and team development.
Facilitate cross-community collaboration and ongoing culinary training initiatives.
Partner with operations and sales teams to support tour dining experiences, special events, and community engagement.
Analyze resident feedback and identify trends to drive continuous improvement.
Pilot new dining concepts, programs, and service enhancements.
Provide support to communities during openings, leadership transitions, and operational recovery efforts.
Oversee food safety and sanitation standards across all communities.
Conduct audits and support corrective action plans where needed.
Ensure communities maintain regulatory readiness and proper documentation.
Partner with clinical leadership to support infection control, dietary compliance, and resident safety.