Job Description

Housing & Food Services (HFS) has an outstanding opportunity for a temporary Dining Operations Marketing Specialist to join the team.

PURPOSE

The Dining Operations Marketing Specialist serves as a contributing member of the UW Dining team through collaboration with HFS team members and supporting Dining with marketing and merchandising projects. This position is responsible for coordinating the UW Dining marketing programs and promotions and for executing marketing and merchandising plans and campaigns digital and printed signage (communications) events and special projects. The position is anticipated to start July 1 2026 and end February 17 2027.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Marketing Operations (40%)

Ensure all in-unit communications (Digital and Printed Signage) are updated as needed and display branded content and accurate information: pricing nutritional and allergens.

o Maintain and assist with deployment of weekly digital menu boards ensuring content is accurate.

o Submit/upload weekly menus to the website for UW Dining locations.

o Use tools and/or digital templates from MarCom to ensure consistency in communication across all Dining locations.

Collaborate with Marcom to maintain/update content for the dining website campus apps service alerts and event listings including but not limited to rapid response messaging during service disruptions (e.g. weather closures equipment failures staffing shortages) changes in operating hours location closures menu modifications staffing updates and emergency notifications.

Collaborate with Marcom on design and deployment of signage print collateral digital content and promotional campaigns to support HFS goals and dining unit-specific needs.

Collaborate with Marcom to initiate and implement new marketing projects on behalf of Dining.

o Identify and communicate additional marketing opportunities that could support dining initiatives; provide information for consideration by dining administrators/unit operators.

Maintain a regular cadence of working in dining units to observe and ideate on marketing opportunities. Create and use a marketing scorecard to communicate findings to unit operations and leadership

Ensure work is in alignment with established Department and University vision and values and policies for messaging communications information design graphics and photography.

Act as a liaison between Marcom and dining operators to coordinate marketing efforts with service and customer experience goals that are in alignment with brand representation and messaging.

Ensure that UW Dining marketing deliverables are scheduled completed on time and within budget and tracked in the marketing budget cost center.

Promotions & Events (40%)

Schedule and conduct regular marketing meetings with unit managers to review and align upcoming plans and events.

Collaborate with managers/culinarians to create an annual food event calendar for the Residential Dining Halls and other Dining locations as applicable.

Coordinate the planning and lead the execution of all Dining events: vendor partnerships samplings/demos set up rentals merchandising photography etc.

Serve as a resource for unit managers ensuring necessary training is provided to support all promotions events and marketing initiatives.

Collaborate with student staff to generate peer-focused content and represent student perspectives.

Campaign Coordination (10%)

Function as a primary marketing liaison between UW Dining Leadership and MarCom on marketing campaigns.

Collaborate and help implement marketing plans to increase participation revenue customer satisfaction promote dining locations and events and highlight seasonal promotions or limited time offers.

Support campaigns for new dining concepts culinary initiatives sustainability efforts limited time offers or special events in collaboration with operations teams.

Collaborate with Marcom on email communications social media content and internal updates that align with brand standards voice accessibility and diverse audiences.

Conduct informal surveys or intercept feedback at dining locations and collaborate with Marcom to synthesize findings into actionable items. Additionally collaborate with HFS partners to synthesize formal surveys into actionable insights.

Merchandising (10%)

Support units through merchandizing food and product displays to help enhance guest experiences and capture revenue growth opportunities.

Create merchandizing and smallware plans for new and existing units concepts platforms venues etc.

IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY

Enhancing the marketing efforts and promoting Dining encourages students faculty and staff to avail themselves of these programs services and events which are intended to provide a sense of community convenience and value contributing to guest experience and overall satisfaction for the Department as well as the University.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

Position must meet established deadlines and deliver consistency across multiple locations. The ability to present ideas and influence others without authority and have strong communication skills interacting with managers classified union employees vendors and HFS leadership. Additional duties may be assigned for special events that occur within or outside the regular work schedule.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position maintains regular onsite office hours Monday through Friday with regular evening work to participate in student events and programming; occasional weekend work to participate in special events. Work is performed in an open office setting or a dining unit with noise and other distractions. The position will travel on foot or by vehicle to various campus locations with a laptop computer.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES

No direct reports; may provide leadership to student employees on occasion.

REPORTS TO

UW Dining Associate Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in Marketing Advertising Communications or related field.

Two years of marketing experience including developing and/or executing marketing plans.

Proficiency with digital marketing tools including but not limited to website CMS graphic design tools and workflow software.

Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office including Word Excel Outlook PowerPoint and Project.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Excellent written verbal presentation and interpersonal skills. Including communicating effectively with stakeholders and leadership about priorities and deliverables.

Effective interpersonal organizational analytical communication and critical thinking skills.

Attention to detail ability to consistently meet deadlines high level of professionalism and strong customer service orientation.

Ability to meet challenging timelines and work in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

Experience working in hospitality industry.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

A satisfactory outcome from the employment reference check processes and education verification.

Possession of a Washington State Food Handlers Card.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.