Director, Strategic Account Development

Role Overview

Do you love analyzing data AND have an influential executive presence on campus? Do you have 5 years of experience in college campus dining operations, business development, and planning experience? If yes, pursue a dialogue with Sodexo regarding our Director, Strategic Account Development for Campus Dining for the Midwest and South. Our successful Director Solution Design candidate will lead culinary innovation in higher education accounts and will currently reside near a major airport in one of the following states: TX, OK, LA, AR, MS, KS, or NE.  This role enjoys 60% travel and 40% home office, managing travel to present innovative high-profile campus dining solutions to our C-Suite Executive campus clients, and will manage innovative business drivers for culinary innovation for our client partners. 

Sodexo provides college campuses with facilities, environmental, and food and nutrition management solutions. Joining us at one of our campus sites enables you to positively influence college students' well-being and create a healthy learning environment.

What You'll Do

• At Activated Solutions Group, we are seeking a Director, Solution Design, to join our team of experienced collegiate foodservice & hospitality consultants who provide strategic direction to Sodexo’s client partners. As a Director, Solution Design, you will collaborate with multiple key stakeholders to drive the holistic programmatic solutioning on higher-ed campuses. As the Solution Designer, you will take full ownership and responsibility over solutioning by leveraging consumer trends, insights and data to craft curated strategies and differentiated solutions that drive campus community engagement, optimize operations, positively impact satisfaction and accomplish client goals. The Solution Designer is solely responsible for providing meal plan and retail strategic direction and assisting accounts in developing actionable roadmaps to elevate and enhance dining programs in support of the campus’ strategic goals.  
• Our Directors of Solution Design use a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques to drive business impact with our clients. You will lead the research from design to analysis and translate research findings into actionable business recommendations for the client. You are a strong problem solver and adaptable, with an ability to build trust and partnership at all levels of an organization. You demonstrate the highest levels of ownership and show confidence and clear understanding of your position, your value in the strategic planning process and your recommendations. You are a clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal. You have a proven track record of success in difficult, highly ambiguous situations. 
• As a Director, Solution Design, you will also be asked to provide meal plan training at the operational level, conduct unit operational assessments and financial analysis in support of predictive analytics, provide guidance and mentorship to field management, support development of analytical management tools for the Segment.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• Current resident of KS, NE, OK, TX, LA, AR or MS
• Experience in collegiate campus dining operations, business development, or strategic planning 

• 3-5+ years of experience in business intelligence, data analytics, product management, or a related field, preferably in a client-facing role
• Familiarity with performing data analysis, producing quantitative modeling, and interpreting data through a business and economic lens to create commercial recommendations
• Demonstrated experience using quantitative and analytical skills to generate insights that inform business strategy. Mastery of Excel required; familiarity with tools such as PowerBi, Power Apps, Salesforce a plus
• Demonstrated history of higher education contract dining services Master Planning with proven growth in meal plan sales YOY

• Solid understanding of successful management of National Retail Brands, including real estate and retail planning
• Expertise in the ability to synthesize and present large swaths of data to influence Campus Administration to optimize the business.   
• Top notch critical thinking and analytical skills can break down complex problems into discrete digestible pieces and drive effective solutions
• Can learn quickly; understand any challenge and immediately home in on what matters most
• Can adapt quickly to a rapidly changing environment without being phased

• High profile executive presence and demonstrated history of successful C-Suite influence to grow business
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing or mentoring team members
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external teams

• Very high EQ: able to read a room or an audience and adjust approach to be most effective
• Able to build deep levels of trust with senior leaders, external partners, and staff at all levels; not afraid to directly challenge important issues; exceptional listening skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication with a crisp, concise and effective style, leading conversations with data-driven solutions and insights
• High degree of grit. Demonstrated ability to break down difficult barriers both internally and externally
• Ownership over professional development; highly receptive to feedback and eager to get better every day, high level of internal motivation and a strong desire to succeed
• Operates with the highest levels of integrity

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 5 years in operations, business development, and planning experience.