Assistant Director, Retail Operations

Closing Date:02/04/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full‑Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $106,705 - $124,491 -- Broadband Salary Range: $106,705 - $177,843
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Description

About Us

With a population on the St George Campus of approximately 80,000 people engaged in a variety of diverse activities, Spaces & Experiences provides a wide range of services that can be successfully executed while ensuring that the activities related to the purpose of the University – namely academic instruction and research – are prioritized. Food Services contributes to the student and community experience by providing food and service at over thirty locations across the St. George Campus.

Spaces & Experiences also oversees and operates undergraduate and graduate student housing on the St. George campus. These include Graduate House, Knox College, Chestnut Residence, and Oak House, as well as Campus One, a residence affiliated with the University.

As part of the Food Services leadership team, along with the Director Retail and Residential Dining, the Assistant Director, Retail Operations (ADRO) is responsible for leading the strategic development and implementation of the retail dining operational and service programs. The ADRO leads and oversees the management of all retail dining operations for Medical Sciences Building (MSB), Robarts Library, Sidney Smith Hall, 15 third‑party retail food vendor contracts and future locations. The incumbent is an active participant in the execution of all activities in support of the strategic short and long‑range goals of the retail dining and third‑party vendors programs, and the greater Food Services departmental objectives.

The ADRO ensures and is responsible for the performance of all retail dining units in the areas of operational and service excellence, financial performance – in‑line with budget goals – and continuous development of the culinary program to provide a meaningful, diverse, and authentic experience for the campus community. The incumbent will utilize their breadth of experiences to build and maintain a food program that is consistent with food and menu stylings of the Toronto food scene, and beyond, and that of prominent Canadian and American University retail food programs. The incumbent will mentor, and position managers and staff to be successful in their roles and performance to achieve a meaningful, authentic and food styling forward program while adhering to financial performance expectations.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the Director and Executive Chef, Culinary Operations, and the Managing Chefs to provide a great customer experience by way of diverse food concepts, exciting menu offerings and providing a positive experience for customers while they engage with the physical spaces. In addition, the ADRO works closely with the Assistant Director Residence Dining, Food Services Finance and Marketing teams, IT and POS Support, Campus Events, Real Estate Partnerships, Catering and Conference Services teams to participate in the collective goals and priorities of the division.

The ADRO utilizes industry knowledge, awareness of culinary trends, and innovative and progressive service platforms to continuously develop the retail food service program. The ADRO establishes and maintains communication with location stakeholders and the campus community to both inform and be informed of initiatives to advance retail dining.

Qualifications Required

Education

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- University degree, preferably in business, or hospitality or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Knowledge of Province of Ontario food service regulations.

Experience

- A minimum 7 years management experience overseeing the operation of a large multi‑unit food services operation.

- Must have experience leading team across multiple geographical locations.

- Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the Food & Beverage / Hospitality profession.

- Experience implementing significant change and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

- Experience implementing marketing, event planning and promotional initiatives.

- Experience with budget management and analysis of financial information.

- Contract management experience is an asset.

- Experience managing in a unionized environment is an asset.

Skills

- Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.

- Excellent problem‑solving and presentation skills.

- Strong computer skills with working experience and proficiency with information technologies (e.g., advanced skills in Microsoft Office, email, and budgeting and financial software).

- Familiarity with Transact POS is an asset.

Other

- Budget and financial budgeting and analysis skills including the ability to interpret financial information.

- Demonstrated ability to drive service excellence through customer‑centric approach to operations.

- Able to communicate clearly, effectively, and tactfully with all levels of the University community.

- Good organizational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.

- Must have good motivational, administrative, and interpersonal skills.

- The incumbent must be detail‑oriented and able to respond to multiple, time‑sensitive requests.

Please Note

- This is a replacement position

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strides to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
In line with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), we endeavour to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.

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