Executive Chef | Full-Time | The Bushnell

Position Summary

The Executive Chef has the primary duty of managing the culinary team. The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing the direction of the kitchen's daily activities in accordance with Oak View Group's policies and objectives to ensure guest satisfaction, profitability, and a positive, productive, and compliant work environment. The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary team, including event planning support, scheduling, food preparation and production, food cost control, compliance with food safety and sanitation policies, cleaning, kitchen safety, employee training and supervision, and any other tasks assigned by the General Manager. The Executive Chef must provide a high level of oversight, culinary proficiency, and operational/personnel support to ensure the smooth running of all food outlets and events. This is a key position for the effective and profitable operation of the business. The Executive Chef must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule, which is for evenings and weekends. Open availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills, and self-direction are required.

This role pays an annual salary of $90,000 - $100,000 and is bonus eligible.

Benefits for Full-Time Roles: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 31, 2026.

About the Venue

Located in the heart of Hartford, The Bushnell Performing Arts Center is Connecticut's premier performing arts destination and a cornerstone of the region's cultural scene. Originally opened in 1930, this historic, nonprofit venue blends timeless architecture with modern amenities, featuring two distinct performance spaces and hosting more than 350 events annually-from Broadway tours and concerts to comedy, dance, and community programming. As the largest arts organization in the state, The Bushnell serves as a vibrant gathering place that inspires creativity, supports arts education, and delivers world-class entertainment experiences to diverse audiences. Oak View Group is proud to serve as the exclusive food and beverage provider for The Bushnell, enhancing the guest experience through exceptional hospitality and culinary offerings.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing, developing, and mentoring all culinary staff.
• Ensures event staff are aware of workplace expectations and provides ongoing assistance, training, and mentoring to event staff.
• Promote a positive, enthusiastic, and cooperative workplace environment by working side-by-side with staff.
• Reinforce procedures and practices through repetition; lead by example and provide ongoing constructive feedback.
• Responsible for ensuring that budgeted food percentages are achieved through effective control measures, including portion controls, kitchen timings, food inventory rotation measures, receiving and food storage procedures, inventory controls, effective purchasing procedures, kitchen security procedures, and waste control.
• Controls labor costs through effective scheduling of kitchen staff, cross-training, and development of employees.
• Responsible for monitoring breaks and break documentation for kitchen staff and the daily approval of break documentation.
• Ensures that the purchasing and preparation of all food products meet Oak View Group's standards of quality and consistency.
• Responsible for the development of menus, ensuring quality, consistency, and style of concept are maintained.
• Monitors production of food preparation, ensuring recipe specifications, portion controls, and kitchen timings are met.
• Monitors all food served relative to appearance, temperature, sanitary, and quality standards.
• Supervises all line setup, prep, and breakdown activities. Responsible for in-service delegation of tasks to line personnel.
• Coordinates the storage, maintenance, and repair of all kitchen equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Coordinates the delivery and set-up of catered services and food service areas as needed.
• Arranges and manages kitchen staff skills training and development, including departmental orientation of new employees.
• Provides leadership and support to the entire kitchen staff and builds morale to encourage empowerment of staff.
• Maintains a positive and compliant employee relations climate.
• Responsible for staffing, training, evaluation, and counseling of kitchen staff.
• Promotes support and communication with the entire staff and positively interacts with front-of-house staff.
• Rapidly solves problems.
• Ensures compliance with health, sanitation, safety, and employment regulations by clearly communicating and reinforcing standards and procedures to kitchen staff.
• Ensures proper kitchen record keeping and administrative requirements, including food inventories and invoicing of food products.
• Responsible for organizing employee work schedules, ensuring appropriate coverage for all kitchen areas, and staff compliance with the venue uniform policy.
• Promotes teamwork among staff through effective communication, follow-through, and goal setting.
• Leads by example and thorough instruction to effectively obtain quality management of product, service, and philosophy of concept.
• Responsible for overseeing the production of staff meals, ensuring that they are on time, healthy, and substantial per meal calendar.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of kitchen management experience in a high-volume hotel, catering, or convention center highly preferred.
• Demonstrated and verifiable track record of meeting projected costs.
• Professional appearance and presentation required.
• Knowledge of and skill in using computer software, including MS Word/Excel/Outlook.
• Maintains a current food handler's card and alcohol service permit if required by state or local government.
• Working knowledge of employee scheduling in a hospitality environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in a nationally recognized sanitation program.
• Technical proficiency and experience demonstrating verifiable knowledge of food preparation methods.
• Ability to positively interact with diverse personalities, including co-workers, subordinates, guests, and purveyors in a variety of work situations.
• Able to develop results-oriented staff through effective training, evaluation, motivation, coaching, and counseling.
• Proven ability to support team members in building the skills necessary for effective job performance.
• Able to delegate responsibilities effectively to achieve objectives and drive desired results.
• Ability to identify problems quickly and implement creative, timely solutions.
• Demonstrate strong prioritization, initiative, and sound decision-making skills.
• Able to maintain strong attention to detail while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Comfortable working independently while contributing positively within a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Maintain flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as needed.