Director of Dining Services and Contract Operations - Fairbanks - Interior

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering high-quality services that enhance the campus experience? Join UAF as the leader of Dining Services and Contract Operations (DSCO), where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of dining, retail, and campus life. · I ...

Job description

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering high-quality services that enhance the campus experience? Join UAF as the leader of Dining Services and Contract Operations (DSCO), where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of dining, retail, and campus life.

In this dynamic position, you'll collaborate with executive leadership to set the vision for all contractual services under DSCO—including campus dining (residential, retail, catering, and food trucks), meal plans, vending, alcohol permitting, bookstore operations, and trademark licensing. From contract negotiation and vendor partnerships to facility planning and market research, your work will directly impact student satisfaction and campus vibrancy.

You'll manage the full contract lifecycle—research, bidding, negotiation, implementation, and oversight—while ensuring compliance with university policies and industry best practices. You'll also lead efforts to modernize services based on student feedback, campus planning, and market trends.

If you're looking for a leadership opportunity that combines strategic planning, financial management, customer service, and innovation in a fast-paced university environment, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in Auxiliary, Recharge, and Contract Operations, along with in-depth knowledge of dining services—including NACUFS professional practices—bookstore operations, trademark licensing, and contract management. To thrive in this role, applicants should bring at least six years of progressively responsible management experience and a proven history of working with contracts and external vendors in a business setting. Success in this position requires excellent customer service skills, the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, and the capacity to negotiate, implement, and manage contracts throughout their full lifecycle. The candidate should demonstrate critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic decision-making, along with the ability to recommend process improvements, respond to inquiries with insight and professionalism, and develop and implement long-range plans. Adaptability to changing university needs and confidence in advising executive leadership on industry best practices and emerging trends are essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or related field, or a Bachelor's degree in a related field with experience in dining management and contract management or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 82, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on August 11, 2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE (08/10/2025).

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, SBO Sr. HRC at

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at

The University of Alaska ) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination ) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online:  Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: or  / or  

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online:  Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: or uaf-

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: or emailing