Executive Head Chef

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group in East London is seeking a strategic Executive Chef to enhance kitchen operations and food identity. This key leadership position involves managing high culinary standards, executing innovative menus, and shaping food strategy to ensure excellence in service. Candidates should have substantial experience in similar roles, strong leadership skills, and a passion for innovation. The company offers a competitive salary and a supportive working environment focused on work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Contributory pension scheme

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef.
• Strong commercial awareness and alignment of food with business goals.
• Passion for innovation and staying ahead of food trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of kitchen operations.
• Design and implement seasonal, innovative menus.
• Ensure high standards of food quality and compliance.
• Drive consistency, efficiency, and service excellence.
• Support the development of kitchen teams.
• Collaborate with internal teams to shape food offers.

Skills

Leadership

Innovation

Commercial Awareness

Communication

Job description

Executive Chef – Monday to Friday

We’re looking for a strategic and forward-thinking Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations and help elevate our food offer across a busy, high-profile site in East London. This is a key leadership role — not just about running a kitchen, but about shaping food strategy, driving innovation, and delivering excellence at every level.

About the Role

• Schedule: Monday to Friday (occasional evenings may be required)

• Hours: 40 hours per week

This is an exciting opportunity to take full ownership of a complex and diverse food operation, with a strong focus on both quality and consistency. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing our food identity, leading culinary standards, and working closely with stakeholders to deliver a best-in-class experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of kitchen operations

• Design and implement seasonal, innovative menus

• Ensure high standards of food quality, presentation, and compliance

• Drive consistency, efficiency, and service excellence

• Support the development of kitchen teams and nurture a positive culture

• Collaborate with internal teams and clients to shape the food offer

• Deliver strong commercial outcomes through smart, food-led decisions

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Bring proven experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef

• Be a confident, strategic leader with a forward-thinking mindset

• Have strong commercial awareness and the ability to align food with business goals

• Be passionate about innovation and staying ahead of food trends

• Demonstrate excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Be reliable, organised, and committed to excellence across all areas

What We Offer

• Monday to Friday working – Occasional weekends.

• Autonomy to shape menus and influence food strategy

• A collaborative, professional, and supportive working environment

• Competitive salary and strong emphasis on work-life balance

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!