TECH DIRECTOR (campus dining) - University of Utah- SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Job Summary

Chartwells Higher Education is seeking a Director of Technology on the beautiful campus of the UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.  In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for the strategic oversight, implementation, integration, and day-to-day support of all technology systems supporting campus dining operations. This person ensures seamless functionality across point-of-sale (POS) platforms, mobile ordering systems, network connectivity, system integrations, and dining-specific hardware, while aligning Chartwells’ technology ecosystem with University systems and standards.  This position serves as the primary technology liaison between Chartwells, the University, and third-party vendors, ensuring reliable operations, data integrity, cybersecurity compliance, and an exceptional student and guest experience.

• Protecting revenue and service continuity
• Enhancing student satisfaction and digital engagement
• Reducing operational friction for frontline teams
• Ensuring seamless integration between Chartwells and University systems

Key Competencies

• Operational mindset with strong technical depth
• Calm, decisive leadership during system outages
• Strong communication across technical and non-technical teams
• Vendor and contract management expertise
• Data-driven problem solving
• Ability to balance innovation with operational reliability

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Hospitality Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5–8+ years of experience managing technology in food service, hospitality, retail, or higher education environments.
• Hands-on experience with:
• POS systems and mobile ordering platforms
• Dining or retail hardware ecosystems
• Network and connectivity troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of API integrations, data flows, and system interoperability.
• Proven ability to translate technical concepts into operational solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting higher education dining or auxiliary services environments.
• Familiarity with Chartwells or Compass Group technology platforms.
• Working knowledge of:
• Student card systems and meal plans
• Financial reconciliation and settlement processes
• Cloud-based SaaS platforms
• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional stakeholders in matrixed organizations.

RESPONSIBILITES

Technology Strategy & Leadership

• Own and execute the dining technology roadmap in alignment with Chartwells standards and University IT governance.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (mobile ordering, kiosks, AI-driven forecasting, robotics, loyalty platforms) for operational and student experience enhancements.
• Serve as the senior technology advisor for dining leadership, providing risk assessments, ROI analysis, and implementation recommendations.

POS, Mobile Ordering & Digital Platforms

• Oversee all POS systems, including configuration, updates, security, and troubleshooting across all dining locations.
• Manage mobile ordering platforms, ensuring:
• Hardware reliability (tablets, kiosks, printers, bump bars)
• Software uptime and performance
• Accurate menu, pricing, tax, and tender configurations
• Lead deployment, testing, and optimization of new technology rollouts.
• Serve as escalation point for critical system outages impacting service or revenue.

Hardware, Network & Connectivity Support

• Ensure reliable Wi-Fi and network connectivity across all dining facilities in coordination with University IT.
• Support troubleshooting of:
• Network latency or outages impacting POS/mobile ordering
• Peripheral devices (card readers, printers, scanners, kitchen display systems)
• Maintain asset inventory, lifecycle management, and replacement planning for dining technology hardware.

Systems Integration & Data Management

• Lead and maintain system integrations between Chartwells and University platforms, including:
• Student ID / card systems
• Meal plan and flex dollar platforms
• Financial, accounting, and reporting systems
• Support and oversee API integrations, data feeds, and middleware solutions.
• Ensure data accuracy, reconciliation, and compliance with University and Chartwells standards.

Partner with Finance to resolve transaction discrepancies, reporting variances, and settlement issues

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Act as primary point of contact for dining technology vendors (POS providers, mobile ordering platforms, hardware suppliers).
• Manage vendor performance, SLAs, and escalation paths.
• Coordinate closely with:
• University IT & Card Services
• Housing & Auxiliary Services
• Chartwells Technology, Innovation, and Finance team

Security, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with:
• PCI standards
• University cybersecurity requirements
• Chartwells IT and data governance policies
• Support audits, system access controls, and incident response procedures.
• Identify and mitigate operational and financial risk related to technology failures.

  Operational Support & Training

  • Develop and maintain SOPs for technology use, troubleshooting, and escalation.
  • Train managers and frontline teams on technology systems and best practices.
  • Ensure technology solutions support high-volume, peak-period food service operations without disruption.
  • Provide on-site and remote support during critical service periods as needed.