Executive Chef

Charlestowne Hotels, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlestowne Hotels, Inc. is opening Hotel Laureum in Milwaukee, a luxury property set to launch in Summer 2027.

We are seeking an Executive Chef to lead food ordering, preparation, and control for all outlets and banquets, reporting to the F&B Manager and ultimately the General Manager. You will drive recipe and menu development, ensure quality and consistency, and lead a team with strong leadership and development skills.

Qualifications

• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent service & communication skills.
• Strong technical skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Computer and telephone skills required.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Exceptional detail in follow-up.
• Excellent safety and sanitation skills.
• Creative problem solving skills.
• Basic mathematical skills required.
• Strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Direct food ordering, preparation, production, and control for all outlets and banquet facilities.
• Report to Food and Beverage Manager and ultimately the General Manager.
• Enhance the food product presented to guests.
• Implement changes in response to market trends and guest needs.
• Maintain quality and consistency of food and service.
• Support hotel teams to improve profitability and service performance.
• Oversee staff training and development within the department.
• Exercise hiring/firing discretion per hotel policy.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local employment laws.
• Manage major operating expenses and profit/loss elements.
• Set margins and monitor projections.
• Represent the hotel in community and industry events.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Service excellence

Technical skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Computer/Phone skills

Active listening

Attention to detail

Safety & sanitation

Education

Culinary school degree

Job description

Hotel Laureum is a 35-room-and-suite, ultra-luxury independent hotel opening in Milwaukee in Summer 2027. It reimagines a historic Georgian Revival landmark originally founded in 1898 as a gathering place for scholars and civic leaders. The positioning is built around “The Gracious Scholar” - blending confident refinement, intellectual curiosity, anticipatory service, and genuine Midwestern warmth.

The Executive Chef is to direct food ordering, preparation, production, and control for all food outlets and banquet facilities of the hotel. The Executive Chef reports to Food and Beverage Manager and ultimately the General Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for enhancing the food product that is presented to guests
• Make changes that respond to the marketplace and to guests’ needs, both present and anticipated
• Recommend changes to the food product
• Use market research to develop new products
• Responsible for maintaining quality of food product and ensuring consistency in food delivery and standards
• Work in support of team goals and measures effectiveness through the Food & Beverage profit and service performance of the hotel
• Responsible for the selection, training, and development of the personnel within the department
• Able to exercise hire and fire discretion within the hotel's policies
• Oversee divisional matters as they relate to federal, state and local employment and civil rights laws
• Control the elements that determine profit and loss
• Responsible for all major operating expenses
• Set margins and manage the business against projections
• Participate, support and make recommendations for ongoing hotel programs with continuous improvement in networking
• Professionally represent the hotel in community and industry organizations and events
• Participate as a team player with all departments
• Provide constructive feedback to all departments
• Be a leader and a role model to all employees

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years’ experience as a Executive Chef, Exec Sous Chef or CDC, preferably with a full-service property
• Management experience required
• Graduate of an accredited Culinary School program preferred
• Must have experience at properties of similar size and quality

SKILLS:

• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent service & communication skills
• Strong technical skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Computer and telephone skills required
• Excellent listening skills
• Exceptional detail in follow-up
• Excellent safety and sanitation skills
• Creative problem solving skills
• Basic mathematical skills required
• Strong attention to detail