Description

The Senior Cafe and Community Engagement Manager in the Bridge Café is responsible for the strategic oversight, daily management, and financial sustainability of the Bridge Café, a student-run café and social hub located in Butler Pavilion. The position ensures high-quality customer service, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while cultivating a robust student employment program that contributes to student learning and leadership development.

The Senior Café Manager supervises approximately 25–40 student employees, including baristas, shift leads, and assistant managers, and oversees all aspects of café operations including staffing, training, inventory management, vendor relations, financial management, and programming within the café space.

This role leads the development and implementation of comprehensive training and professional development programs for student staff across the Mary Graydon Student Center, ensuring consistent standards of customer service, operational procedures, and student leadership development across all student center operations. This position oversees the operational implementation of “A Slice of AU,” a Bridge Café–based initiative that celebrates first-year student birthdays to promote belonging and campus connection. Responsibilities include managing program logistics, coordinating inventory and redemption processes and collaborating with campus partners to ensure the program operates efficiently and aligns with student engagement goals.

The Bridge Café operates as a self-funded auxiliary program, and the Senior Café Manager is responsible for maintaining sound financial management practices, meeting revenue targets, and ensuring operational sustainability.

Essential Functions:

1.) Student Staff Supervision and Café Workforce Management

Serve as the primary supervisor and operational leader for student employees working in the Bridge Café, overseeing all aspects of student staffing and workforce development. This position is responsible for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and supervising approximately 25–40 student employees, including baristas, shift leads, assistant managers, and student event staff. The Senior Café Manager develops and manages staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage during all café operating hours, while maintaining flexibility to support special events and peak campus activity periods.
The role provides ongoing supervision, coaching, and performance management for student employees, including conducting evaluations, addressing performance concerns, and implementing progressive discipline when necessary in accordance with university policies. The Senior Café Manager develops and maintains the Bridge Café Student Employee Handbook, which outlines operational procedures, expectations, and workplace standards. The position ensures all student employees complete required university employment training and remain in compliance with the Student Code of Conduct and institutional employment policies.
In addition to operational supervision, the Senior Café Manager fosters a student-centered employment environment that prioritizes leadership development, teamwork, accountability, and customer service excellence. The role mentors student leaders and supervisors, helping them build professional competencies in team management, operational oversight, and conflict resolution.
 

2.) Café Operations, Inventory, and Vendor Management

Oversee the daily operational functions of the Bridge Café to ensure efficient, compliant, and high-quality service for the AU community. The Senior Café Manager manages all aspects of café operations, including opening and closing procedures, point-of-sale operations, cash handling protocols, and day-to-day service workflows.
This role maintains appropriate inventory levels for food, beverages, and supplies to ensure operational continuity while minimizing waste and controlling costs. The position is responsible for developing and maintaining productive relationships with vendors and suppliers for café products, equipment, and services. The Senior Café Manager also coordinates routine maintenance, repair, and replacement of café equipment, appliances, furnishings, and operational infrastructure.
The position ensures that the café environment remains safe, welcoming, and well-maintained, serving as a central gathering space for students and the campus community. The Senior Café Manager monitors product quality, service standards, and customer feedback to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. The role also identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance the overall café experience.
 

3.) Programming, Marketing, and Community Engagement

 Support the Bridge Café as a vibrant and inclusive campus social space by coordinating programming, partnerships, and marketing initiatives that strengthen student engagement and community connection. The Senior Café Manager develops and oversees programming initiatives that activate the café as a welcoming gathering place for students, student organizations, and campus partners, including a monthly café night program.
The position collaborates with campus departments and student groups to host events and activities within the café space that enhance student life and promote community interaction. The Senior Café Manager supports signature initiatives connected to the café, including programs such as “A Slice of AU”, which are designed to foster belonging and connection among students.
The role also leads marketing and promotional efforts for the Bridge Café, including social media engagement, event promotion, and outreach initiatives that increase visibility and participation. The Senior Café Manager works to maintain brand consistency and ensure the café remains a recognizable and accessible campus destination. The Manager provides a monthly donor report as requested.  
 

4.) Financial Management and Budget Administration

Manage the financial operations of the Bridge Café, which functions as a self-funded auxiliary enterprise within the Division of Student Affairs. The Senior Café Manager works closely with the Sr. Associate Director of the Mary Graydon Student Center to develop annual revenue projections and expense budgets that support the café’s operational sustainability.
The position monitors sales performance, purchasing activity, and cost controls to ensure responsible financial stewardship. Responsibilities include managing purchase card transactions, reconciling expenditures, and maintaining accurate financial records related to vendor invoices, purchasing activity, and internal billing processes.
The Senior Café Manager processes and reconciles daily sales reports, ensures timely cash deposits, and assists with procurement processes including purchase orders, blanket purchase orders (BPOs), and internal service requests (ISDs), and space rental. The role also analyzes operational trends and identifies opportunities to increase revenue, optimize purchasing strategies, and improve overall financial performance.  
 

5.) Student Staff Development for the Mary Graydon Student Center

Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive student staff training and professional development program across the Mary Graydon Student Center. In this capacity, the Senior Café Manager designs and facilitates training initiatives for student employees working in student center operations, including front desk staff, event support staff, and other student-facing roles.
The position develops standardized training materials that support a consistent student employment experience across the student center. Training topics include customer service excellence, operational procedures, student center policies, conflict resolution, inclusive hospitality practices, and emergency response protocols.
The Senior Café Manager plans and facilitates annual and semester-based student staff training programs, ensuring that all student employees are prepared to support the operational needs of the student center while providing high-quality service to campus visitors. The role collaborates with professional staff across the student center to align training content with operational expectations and divisional priorities.
In addition, the Senior Café Manager develops leadership development opportunities for returning student employees and assesses the effectiveness of training initiatives to support continuous improvement in student staff learning and performance.
 

6.) Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance and Operations Management

Ensure that the Bridge Café operates in full compliance with Washington, DC food service regulations and university policies. The Senior Café Manager maintains compliance with District of Columbia Department of Health food safety standards, ensuring that all food preparation and service practices meet required sanitation and safety guidelines.
The position maintains or obtains DC Food Protection Manager Certification and ensures that student employees receive appropriate food safety training and maintain required food handler certifications when applicable. The role prepares for and supports health inspections, monitors sanitation standards, and maintains all required documentation related to food safety training, inspections, and operational compliance. Oversee daily food service operations, including food preparation, service, and closing procedures. Ensure compliance with the DC Food Code and all regulations issued by the DC Department of Health (DOH). Maintain safe food handling, storage, preparation, and temperature control practices. Monitor and enforce sanitation and cleanliness standards throughout the facility. Ensure all required permits and licenses are current and visibly posted. Serve as the Person-in-Charge (PIC) during hours of operation. Ensure compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles where applicable. Oversee maintenance and completion of food safety logs (temperature logs, cleaning schedules, pest control records, etc.). Coordinate and respond to health inspections conducted by the DC Department of Health (DOH). Immediately correct any violations and implement corrective action plans.   
 

7.) Division and University Support

Serve as an active member of the Division of Student Affairs by supporting major university programs and initiatives. The Senior Café Manager contributes operational and logistical support to large-scale campus events including New Student Orientation, Family Weekend, Commencement, Eagles at Night, and other campus-wide programming initiatives.
The position may serve on divisional committees, working groups, and planning teams as assigned by the Sr. Associate Director, Mary Graydon Student Center. The role also supports broader student center initiatives and special projects that contribute to the mission of the Division of Student Affairs and enhance the student experience at American University, and may advise recognized student organizations.
 

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position supervises approximately 25 – 40 student employees including baristas, shift leads, and assistant managers. Student staff supporting Bridge Café programming and operations, including Slice of AU Initiative. This position interacts with a wide variety of patrons and guests and plays a liaison role with multiple student organizations and internal AU departments.

Requirements

Competencies:

Prioritizing and Organizing.
Building a Customer Focused Organization.
Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
Serving Customers.
Developing Plans.
Driving Continuous Improvement.
Managing Performance.
 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time.
35 hours per week.
This position requires an in-person presence five days per week within the Mary Graydon Student Center and Butler Pavilion.
The schedule may include evening and weekend hours depending on operational needs, student staffing schedules, and campus events.