About the role#
As a Student Cafe Operating Officer (COO), you will gain experience managing the business fundamentals and team development of a cafe. You will have ownership of operational processes while receiving support from the Saxbys headquarters team. This role is offered to two students per semester, with focuses split between People and Finance. The People Officer manages schedules and team performance, while the Finance Officer oversees orders and inventory.
What you'll do#
- Build and lead a team of peers through recruiting, training, coaching, and performance management.
- Establish the cafe as a community cornerstone through hospitality, partnerships, and initiatives.
- Drive profitability by managing sales growth, labor costs, inventory, and operational efficiency.
- Serve as the face of Saxbys on campus and communicate company mission and values.
- Collaborate with the Operations Lead on strategic initiatives and cafe performance.
- Generate social media content and implement marketing initiatives.
- Identify, recruit, and develop talent for cafe positions and succession planning.
What you'll need#
- Completed at least one year of undergraduate studies.
- Must be an undergraduate student of the partner organization in good academic standing.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in academic, professional, or volunteer settings.
- Experience in customer service, hospitality, or retail is preferred.
- Ability to work 20 hours per week during cafe operating hours.
- Ability to support, exhibit, and promote Saxbys Mission and Core Values.
- Physical ability to stand, walk, and smile for extended periods, stoop, kneel, and ascend or descend ladders, stairs, or ramps.
- Ability to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 35 lbs.
Location & details#
- Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
- Term: Winter 2027.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: $23.00/hr.
- Employment Type: Part-time.
About Saxbys
Saxbys operates a network of cafes on college campuses across the United States. The company functions as an experiential learning platform by integrating student-led businesses into university operations. Founded in 2005 and based in Philadelphia, it employs over 600 people. These locations provide students with credit-bearing roles and financial management experience.
How to get in at Saxbys
Applying early gives you a significant advantage at Saxbys, as recruiters often review the first wave of candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, ensuring you can submit your materials among the first. This helps you stay ahead of the crowd when roles open on campus. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the people managing the hiring process directly. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind Saxbys roles, allowing you to ask relevant questions or request a referral. Connecting with a human contact often provides more clarity than a standard application submission.
