Job Summary:

The Digital Strategy Manager – K-12 will play an instrumental role in shaping the digital transformation journey for Chartwells K12 and Flik Independent Schools. As this is a new position, the individual will focus on building the partnerships, frameworks, and support structures necessary to deliver scalable and impactful technology solutions across our K-12 accounts.

This role bridges Compass Digital (CD), Chartwells K12 and FIS leadership, operations, and clients, ensuring that technology adoption enhances the student dining experience and drives participation, operational efficiency, and engagement.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a collaborative builder, someone who can translate operational needs into digital opportunities and guide operators and clients through meaningful innovation. Technologies supported include mobile ordering, POS systems, robotics, digital signage, menu management tools, production tools and communication platforms that connect students, families, and schools.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Digital Strategy of Education and will be instrumental in defining how technology supports the future of K-12 dining.

Responsibilities:

• Build the foundation for a K-12 digital support structure, developing best practices, communication frameworks, and operational standards to ensure consistent technology success across school districts.
• Collaborate with Compass Digital, Compass Technology, and Foodbuy teams on a cohesive technology strategy, pilots, hardware refreshes, and implementation planning, ensuring K-12 considerations are built into all phases of delivery.
• Establish and nurture strong partnerships with K12 sector leadership, food service directors, and internal teams to align digital initiatives with school priorities and student needs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic connector, identifying opportunities to use technology to enhance participation, streamline operations, and strengthen engagement between schools and families.
• Partner with operators and Chartwells and Flik stakeholders to co-create tailored technology roadmaps, ensuring solutions are age-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with child nutrition goals.
• Lead regional technology planning for K-12 accounts, assessing current digital maturity, identifying gaps, and providing actionable insights to drive progress.
• Collaborate with Digital Learning on communication and training strategies to help field teams and district partners adopt and sustain digital tools successfully.
• Contribute to new business and retention efforts, supporting RFP responses and presentations.
• Collect and analyze digital performance data to tell a clear story of impact on how technology supports student satisfaction, participation, and operational efficiency.
• Act as a liaison and problem-solver for major K-12 accounts, ensuring quick and collaborative resolution of technology issues.
• Champion a culture of partnership, transparency, and service, positioning Chartwells K12 and Flik Independent Schools as leaders in digital transformation in the K12 space.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in technology strategy, account management, operations, or partnership development, ideally within the education or food service industries.
• Demonstrated success building support structures or frameworks that scale across multi-site organizations.
• Experience working with school, including familiarity with district-level decision-making, child nutrition programs, and technology governance.
• Strong knowledge of digital tools and platforms used in food service, including POS, ordering, menu management, and engagement systems.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strategic, proactive, and comfortable working in a newly defined role that requires vision, flexibility, and initiative.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with Salesforce and digital performance analytics is a plus.
• Willingness to travel (approximately 30-50%) to support district partners and field teams.