Dawn Bradley
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven executive with a proven track record in building, growing, and leading high-performing and empowered teams, leading operational strategies, driving organizational growth, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional services for over 25 years. Strong business acumen and management expertise. Adept at fostering a culture of efficiency, productivity, positivity, inclusion, and excellence. As a versatile Vice President of Operations (VPO), dedicated champion and leader of change, consistently driving impressive growth and retention results. Strong expertise in delivering exceptional quality and operational efficiency, optimizing revenue and margin performance across diverse portfolios. Known for strategic mindset, excelling in identifying and implementing innovative services and solutions to not only meet but exceed clients' requirements and expectations. Carrying a wealth of experience in developing and maintaining overall strategies, priorities, and operational direction within assigned geographies, contributing to organizational success and excellence.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Operations
Sodexo
08.2022 - Current
- Managed volume $163M, 82 accounts, 9 states, 10 direct reports
- Client Retention & New Business Development Leader, 99.17% Client Retention
- Align with HR to support with effective recruitment, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and associate retention
- Drive fiscal responsibility with team & clients
- Support operations, sales, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful retention & growth
- Build meaningful partnerships with clients
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute annual operating plans, aligning with organizational goals
- Actively engage in RFP process
- Mentor, coach, and develop teams to ensure solid succession planning is in place for internal promotion
Sr. Regional VP - Culinary
Atria Senior Living (Holiday Senior Living)
01.2019 - 08.2022
- Awarded Top VP 2020, 2021 & 2022
- Lowest Associate Turnover, 3 consecutive years
- Highest Resident Satisfaction Scores, 3 consecutive years (Activated Insights, Third-Party Survey)
- Led operations and implemented strategies to optimize service delivery, efficiency, and profitability
- Developed and mentored high-performing teams, to include 6 District Managers, 4 Area Managers, and over 80 General Managers/Executive Chefs
- Fostered a culture of productivity, accountability, and professional growth.
- Monitored industry trends and competitor activities, identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement.
District Manager
Sodexo Healthcare Services
10.2016 - 01.2019
- Managed the Food Service Contract for North Carolinas largest Hospital System (Atrium)
- Achieved the "Rising Star Award" first year with company
- Achieved the highest patient satisfaction scores (Press Ganey) in the systems post-acute care, taking it from a 68% to an annual average of 98% for 3 consecutive years
- Successfully managed $25M+ P&L contract
- Rolled out the systems POS & Nutrition Management programs (Health Touch)
- System SME for HealthTouch, GeriMenu, Nutrition Management, Computrition, etc
- Direct point of contact for client
Regional Director of Culinary
Waltonwood Senior Living
10.2013 - 10.2016
- Created new systems & processes for the culinary department
- Created new playbooks for each position within the culinary department
- Created new budgets for the dining departments
- Started a mentoring program to ensure succession planning was in place
- Rolled out a Resident Dining Committee program
- Cultivated and maintained positive working relationships with employees, executives and other stakeholders
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocol
- Communicated regularly with executive team members to deliver pertinent details related to progress status and direction for projects
Area Support Director - Culinary (Southeast)
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
10.2010 - 10.2013
- Enhanced dining experiences by developing innovative and diverse menus tailored to various dietary needs and preferences.
- Supported Dining Directors, providing tools & resources, along with training and development to ensure their success
- Streamlined kitchen operations for improved efficiency through effective staff training, equipment upgrades, and process improvements.
- Managed food costs by implementing inventory control measures, reducing waste, and negotiating with suppliers for better pricing.
- Developed a strong culinary team through consistent coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations resulting in excellent employee retention rates.
- Led weekly team focused calls for communities in their survey window
- Audited communities to prepare for state survey
- Deficiency free surveys for 3 consecutive years
- Trained Dining Directors on menu systems
- Held support calls for underperforming communities
- Was a peer trainer/mentor to all new area managers
- Worked in close collaboration with team members to ensure residents received high-quality service and an exceptional dining experience
Education
Richland Community College
Decatur, ILBusiness Management/SCORE
Millikin University
Decatur, ILSkills
- Over 30 years of progressive responsibility and successful experience in Senior Living & Healthcare sectors
- Full P&L responsibility in the food, facilities, or retail service sector, demonstrating financial acumen
- Proven leadership in managing effective client relationships, encompassing high, wide, and deep connections
- Demonstrated leadership skills with broad knowledge of management practices and effective business analysis/project management skills
- Ability to grasp large, complex, global businesses at a foundational level to set overall strategy and drive business process improvement
- Adept business savvy to effectively communicate and collaborate with executives to achieve business and systems goals
- Strong business planning skills to execute strategic projects with implications for rapidly evolving business processes
- Balanced perspective on strategic and tactical issues, managing numerous projects and resources remotely in a highly dispersed organization
- Proven ability to select top talent and create a productive environment fostering initiative, innovation, continuous learning, and development of key leaders
- People-first leadership approach, ensuring high levels of retention and accountability within the team
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with diverse audiences, including clients, front-line managers, and C-level leaders
- Full responsibility for driving efficient and successful operations, achieving key performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with regulations
- Oversight of the South/Southeast Regions with full P&L accountability
- Leveraging internal business partners to drive continuous improvement across sales, finance, human resources, and operations
- Drive new sales growth and ensure high levels of client retention through consistent delivery of exceptional service quality
- Build and maintain strong client relationships by anticipating customer needs and exceeding expectations
- Oversee and ensure operating budgets are met, including labor, food spend, and general expense management
- Develop short- and long-term operational strategies in partnership with senior leaders, leading the design, development, and execution of those strategies
- Create a safety culture, reducing or eliminating operations-related injuries or accidents by implementing and executing safety programs
- Award-Winning company culture champion
- Knowledge of Federal, State & Local Regulations
- Business Development, Proposals, and Presentations
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Process Optimization/Improvements
- Training and Mentoring
- Team Development
- ServSafe Proctor/Instructor
References
References Available upon request
Timeline
Vice President of Operations
Sodexo
08.2022 - Current
Sr. Regional VP - Culinary
Atria Senior Living (Holiday Senior Living)
01.2019 - 08.2022
District Manager
Sodexo Healthcare Services
10.2016 - 01.2019
Regional Director of Culinary
Waltonwood Senior Living
10.2013 - 10.2016
Area Support Director - Culinary (Southeast)
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
10.2010 - 10.2013
Richland Community College
Business Management/SCORE
Millikin University