University of Washington

Executive Chef, Athletics Performance

University of Washington$94K — $98K *
Hospitality & Recreation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in hospitality; four years of executive chef-level management experience in culinary operations.
  • Comprehensive understanding of dietary restrictions and HAACP guidelines.
  • Experience in high-volume culinary environments such as universities or athletic dining facilities.
  • Proven track record in executing cook-to-order menu items and effective kitchen expedience.
  • Strong skills in kitchen management, food/labor cost control, and food presentation.
  • Experience in training and leading culinary staff effectively.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office tools such as Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain relationships with student athletes and staff through effective communication.
  • Lead culinary teams with coaching, training, and operational leadership.
  • Oversee daily dining operations, staffing, and resource management for efficiency and safety.
  • Monitor financial and inventory data to support operational goals and cost controls.
  • Develop and execute athlete-focused performance menus and culinary initiatives.
  • Collaborate with dietitians to innovate menu concepts that promote wellness and recovery.
  • Utilize CBORD system for menu planning and operational reporting.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Retirement plan options to support financial security.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
  • Professional development opportunities for continued growth in culinary skills.
  • Access to university resources and facilities including wellness programs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Housing & Food Services has an outstanding opportunity for an Executive Chef, Athletics Performance for the Don James Center Training Table to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Catering, Athletics Dining, and Strategic Partnerships, the Athletics Performance Executive Chef, Don James Center Training Table is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of dining services for UW Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA). Providing nutrition to power performance, this executive level chef position has responsibility for ensuring menus and programming meet the needs of UW Athletes and teams through creating nutritionally optimal meals for athletes and coaches. This will be achieved through effective leadership of the dining facility team and planning in coordination with ICA dietitians

Key Responsibilities

Leadership (25%)
• Build and maintain positive relationships with student athletes, staff, stakeholders, and guests through effective communication and collaboration.
• Lead and support culinary and service teams through coaching, training, feedback, and daily operational leadership.
• Ensure high standards for customer service, food safety, workplace safety, and accommodation of specialty dietary needs.

Operations and Customer Service (20%)
• Oversee daily dining operations, staffing, inventory, and resource management to ensure efficient service and minimize waste, while maintaining clean, safe, and health-compliant facilities, and promptly addressing operational and safety concerns.
• Communicate effectively with athletic teams, ICA stakeholders, and Dining leadership regarding operational needs and service expectations.

Fiscal Management (10%)
• Monitor financial, labor, production, and inventory performance data to support operational goals and implement appropriate cost controls and adjustments.

Culinary Focus and Results (30%)
• Develop and execute high-quality, performance-focused menus and recipes that support athlete nutrition, wellness, and recovery goals.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership and ICA dietitians to create innovative menu concepts, products, and dining experiences.
• Train staff in food preparation, presentation, quality standards, and food safety practices to ensure consistent operational excellence.

Supervision (5%)
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and evaluate staff to ensure productivity, service quality, and compliance with university and departmental standards.
• Oversee and coordinate staffing operations and the work of direct and indirect reports within the dining operation.

CBORD (10%)
• Utilize CBORD FSS system data and reports to support menu planning, pricing, purchasing, inventory management, recipe compliance, and support of nutrition information, operational reporting, and customer-facing communication needs.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

Bachelor's degree in hospitality plus four years of executive chef-level management experience in culinary operations.

Experience that includes:
  • Comprehensive understanding of menu item specifics, including but not limited to dietary restrictions, food allergies and tolerances, ingredients, preparation processes, holding and serving temperatures, and HAACP guidelines.
  • Leadership experience working within a high-volume seated restaurant, hotel, contract food services, university dining venue, or athletic dining facility.
  • Effective execution of cook to order menu items in a restaurant setting.
  • Effective expediting on the kitchen and service sides of a restaurant.
  • Depth and breadth in concept development, kitchen management, food and labor cost controls, and plating and presentation.
  • Effective training and leadership of staff.
  • Effective interpersonal, organizational, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Effective supervision of staff, including training, giving constructive feedback and address performance through progressive, corrective action.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Project

Preferred Qualifications
  • Certification by a recognized culinary institution or related
  • Success working in a contemporary college/university dining environment
  • Experience in a culinary management role within an athletic nutrition setting (ex. professional sports team, collegiate athletic department, or Olympic team setting).

Working Conditions
  • This position is expected to maintain regular hours (8am-5pm M-F) during the work week to maximize availability for HFS meetings and to conduct daily business. Additional hours are required to provide a presence and coverage for meal services and HFS special events that may occur in the evenings and weekends.


Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:
$94,800.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$98,508.00 annual
Other Compensation:

Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not Applicable

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