Culinary Services Director

Sonida Senior Living · Dalworthington Gardens, TX Full Time

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Job Description

Find your joy here, at The Waterford on Cooper, a Sonida Senior Living community! We offer a comprehensive benefit package to include competitive wage/salary, health and dental insurance, 401k with company match & much more! The Waterford at Cooper, a premier retirement community in Arlington, TX, provides quality care to residents in an, ASSISTED LIVING, MEMORY CARE community. What we offer you: Flexible scheduling Cutting edge technology to enhance the lives of our residents and make your job easier and more effective. SafelyYou - AI video technology that detects and prevent falls Advanced EHR Technologies - automated care assessments eliminating busy work, helping you deliver better care Sage - Improve call light response time and improvement to service and care Microsoft Power BI - one stop for all data needs Company support for educational and learning opportunities Paid referral programs for Team Member and Resident referrals Medical, dental, vision, and life/disability insurances* 401k retirement savings offering a discretionary match determined each year based on company performance Employee Assistance Program Dependent Care and FSA saving accounts PTO available day one Paid Training *Benefit eligibility dependent on employment status Eligibility based on location Dining Services Director Responsibilities include: Conducts inventory, purchasing, storing and preparation of food according to the provided menus and regulations. Establishes and maintains procedures to meet safety and sanitation standards. Provide leadership and supervision of dietary staff employees including hiring, evaluating, and recommending pay raises of employees. Establishes and maintains records/receipts regarding dietary operations. Submits purchase invoices and receipts to the appropriate staff for processing to include coding as requested. Orders all supplies and maintains inventory control. Qualifications: One to two years’ experience in a similar position preferred. Enjoy providing exceptional customer service and care to our senior residents.

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What Most Job Listings Don’t Tell You

General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.

Management roles in senior living carry a unique blend of healthcare oversight and business operations that most job listings barely touch on. Executive Directors and Administrators are typically responsible for state regulatory compliance, staff retention, census management, and family satisfaction — all at the same time. In Texas, Assisted Living Facility administrators must meet HHSC licensing requirements, which often include specific training hours and ongoing continuing education.

What surprises many new administrators is the direct involvement with families during crises — end-of-life transitions, care disputes, and emergency situations all land on your desk. Staff turnover in senior living runs high nationally, so a significant part of the role is recruiting, training, and retaining quality caregivers. Facilities in the DFW market compete heavily for qualified staff, making retention strategy a critical skill for anyone in these positions.

What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day

Based on typical senior living facilities in the DFW area.

A typical day starts with a census and staffing review — confirming occupancy, checking for any overnight incidents, and ensuring the day's shifts are fully covered. Morning stand-ups with department heads (nursing, dietary, activities, maintenance) set priorities for the day. You will spend time on the floor interacting with residents and families, which doubles as quality checks and relationship building.

Afternoons often shift to administrative work — reviewing financial reports, handling vendor relationships, preparing for state surveys, and managing marketing efforts to maintain occupancy. Community outreach, hospital discharge planner relationships, and local referral networks are ongoing responsibilities. Most directors describe the role as never having two identical days — the blend of clinical, operational, and interpersonal challenges keeps the work unpredictable but engaging.

DFW Area Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical/Health Services Manager positions in the DFW metroplex area earn a median wage of $58.48/hr ($121,638/yr). The typical range is $44.34 – $75.25/hr (25th–75th percentile).

Entry Level (10th) $65,520/yr

DFW Median $121,638/yr

Experienced (90th) $204,838/yr

vs. National Median -1.8%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Area). Salary data provided by DFW Senior Living Guide.