Director of Hospitality

Restaura; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Restaura, part of the Phoenix3 Collective, seeks a Director of Hospitality to lead a kosher dining program in a Jewish senior living community. This role blends culinary excellence with respect for tradition, shaping daily life for residents through meals, menus, and memorable hospitality.

You will partner with rabbinical supervision, nursing, and resident services to ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance while managing budgets, staffing, and operations across all care levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in senior living or healthcare foodservice.
• Direct, hands-on experience in a certified kosher food service operation.
• CDM certification is required.
• Strong leadership with ability to build and develop teams.
• Experience managing dining operations within budget and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full-service kosher dining program across the community, including daily meals and holiday programming.
• Partner with rabbinical supervision to maintain strict kosher compliance in all preparations.
• Oversee dining operations across all care levels and adapt menus to residents' needs.
• Direct and supervise food service staff, and manage catering and events.
• Collaborate with nursing, activities, and resident services on dietary care plans.
• Recruit, train, and develop kitchen and dining staff and drive performance reviews.
• Control cash, inventory, and labor costs; monitor budgets and financial reports.

Skills

Kosher dining program leadership

Team leadership

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Menu planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)

Tools

Culinary software

Job description

The Director of Hospitality is a results-driven, resident-centered leader responsible for the full dining and hospitality experience at a Jewish senior living community. This role goes beyond food service, it shapes daily life for residents by combining culinary excellence with a deep respect for Jewish tradition, kosher observance, and the dignity of aging. The Director partners closely with rabbinical supervision, nursing, activities, and resident services to deliver a dining program that honors residents' cultural and religious life while meeting the operational, financial, and regulatory standards of a senior living community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full-service kosher dining program across the community, including daily meals, Shabbat dinners, and Jewish holiday programming (Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Sukkot, and others).
• Partner with rabbinical supervision (mashgiach) to maintain strict kosher compliance across all food preparation, storage, and service.
• Oversee dining operations across all levels of care within the community, adapting menus and service style to residents' varying needs, including therapeutic and texture-modified diets.
• Direct and supervise all aspects of food service and hospitality, including catering, special events, and family dining experiences.
• Collaborate with nursing, activities, and resident services on individualized dietary care plans and community-wide programming.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and develop kitchen and dining staff, building a team aligned with the community's culture and standards.
• Conduct performance appraisals and take corrective or disciplinary action when necessary.
• Control profit and loss by managing cash, inventory, and labor costs against budget.
• Review financial reports regularly and take corrective action to stay within budget.
• Ensure full compliance with state and federal regulations governing dining service in senior living, as well as kosher dietary law and practice.
• Maintain facility, kitchen equipment, and dining spaces through preventative maintenance and adherence to safety and health codes.
• Engage directly with residents and families to ensure satisfaction, gather feedback, and personalize the dining experience.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, senior living or healthcare foodservice strongly preferred.
• Direct, hands-on experience in a certified kosher food service or dining operation, required.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) certification, required.
• Proficient in food preparation techniques, flavor combinations, and cooking methods, with knowledge of various cuisines and current culinary trends.
• Strong leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to build teams and manage organizational change.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a dining operation within a defined financial budget.
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations and food safety standards applicable to senior living.
• Effective communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with nursing, activities, and resident services teams.
• Proficient in culinary or dietary software tools, or able to quickly learn and deploy new systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• CIA (Culinary Institute of America) accreditation.
• Experience programming and executing Shabbat and Jewish holiday meals in an institutional setting.
• Experience managing therapeutic or texture-modified diets for an aging population.
• Creativity and adaptability in bringing fresh ideas to a resident-centered dining program.

Restaura, part of the Phoenix3 Collective portfolio, is a leading hospitality and culinary culture specialized in food and dining management services. Through its dedication to innovation and exceptional service, Restaura is setting new standards for food and dining management services in senior living and active aging communities. Restaura leverages state-of-the-art technology, data analytics, and forward-thinking strategies to craft dining experiences and business solutions tailored to the unique needs of its clients. Restaura combines the latest advancements in nutrition science, culinary artistry, and hospitality to create truly extraordinary experiences. More information about Restaura can be found at Restaura | The Future of Senior Living Dining

Don't meet ALL the requirements but think you have the ability and determination to have an impact in this role? Data shows that diverse candidates may be less likely to apply when they do not think they meet all the job requirements, but very few successful candidates possess all the requested skills and experiences. We are a culture of learners, and we want culture accelerators who are willing to learn and grow. If you think that is you and this role fits with your career aspirations, give it a shot!