Campus Executive Chef: Lead High-Volume Dining & Events

Compass Group USA; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Job summary

Compass Group USA, a leader in foodservice and support services, is seeking a Campus Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across a dynamic campus environment, overseeing multiple dining venues, cafés, conferences, and large events.

You will drive culinary excellence, safety, hospitality, and guest satisfaction while mentoring culinary managers and kitchen teams to deliver engaging, high-quality dining experiences.

Qualifications

• Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of culinary training and professional experience.
• Progressive culinary leadership experience within high-volume food service, hospitality, campus dining, hotels, conference centers, corporate dining, or catering operations.
• Experience leading complex culinary programs that include cafés, conference services, catering, and special event execution.
• Demonstrated success managing large teams in fast-paced, multi-outlet environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic culinary leadership for campus dining operations, including cafés, conference services, catering, and special events.
• Lead, develop, and mentor culinary managers, sous chefs, and kitchen teams to achieve operational and service excellence.
• Create and execute innovative menus balancing guest expectations, seasonality, wellness, sustainability, and financial performance.
• Oversee culinary execution for large-scale events, conferences, receptions, and VIP hospitality experiences.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation standards, and guest satisfaction across multiple locations.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop new culinary concepts, promotions, and dining experiences.
• Manage food and labor budgets, inventory controls, purchasing programs, and cost-containment initiatives.
• Partner with conference services, catering, and operations teams to plan events of varying size and complexity.
• Conduct menu tastings, evaluate food presentation, and improve offerings based on feedback.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, regulatory, and company standards.
• Build relationships with vendors to ensure quality, availability, and value.
• Stay informed on culinary trends and sustainability practices.
• Support recruitment, training, and development within the culinary team.
• Participate in account planning, client presentations, and business initiatives.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Team management

Menu development

Food safety knowledge

MS Office proficiency

Culinary trends

Education

Culinary degree (B.A./A.O.S.)

Tools

Food service management systems

Job description

Compass Group USA, a leader in foodservice and support services, is seeking a Campus Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across a dynamic campus environment, overseeing multiple dining venues, cafés, conferences, and large events.

You will drive culinary excellence, safety, hospitality, and guest satisfaction while mentoring culinary managers and kitchen teams to deliver engaging, high-quality dining experiences.