Executive Chef

Restaurant Associates Corp.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee culinary operations for a dynamic corporate dining program at the World Bank Group campus. You will lead and develop high-performing teams across cafés, coffee bars, and catering operations, shaping guest experiences through thoughtful menus and service excellence.

This highly visible leadership role emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and collaboration with senior client stakeholders, while maintaining strong financial discipline

Qualifications

• Proven success leading culinary operations in a high-volume foodservice environment.
• Experience overseeing multiple dining venues, cafés, catering operations, or multi-unit programs.
• Leadership of large teams including managers and frontline staff.
• Experience in unionized environments with labor relations collaboration.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, inventory, purchasing, food cost controls, and labor management skills.
• Commitment to sustainability, wellness initiatives, and contemporary food trends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary operations across a dynamic corporate dining program serving the World Bank Group campus.
• Lead foodservice operations for cafés, coffee bars, and catering across a high-profile account.
• Mentor and develop culinary talent while delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Partner with senior client stakeholders and executive leadership to influence food culture and strategy.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Financial acumen

Team leadership

Education

Culinary degree or formal training

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Food management systems

Inventory platforms

MS Office / reporting tools

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Executive Chef

Salary:$135,000 - $145,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Annual Performance Bonus Opportunity (Up to 20% of Base Salary)

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards-Best Places to Work, This is R/A!

Job Summary

Are you passionate about creating exceptional culinary experiences while leading and developing high-performing teams? As an Executive Chef, you will oversee culinary operations across a dynamic corporate dining program serving the World Bank Group campus. This leadership role offers the opportunity to influence food culture, drive innovation, mentor culinary talent, and deliver memorable guest experiences across cafés, coffee bars, and catering operations.

This is a highly visible position within a premier Business & Industry account, supporting a diverse community through thoughtfully crafted menus, sustainable practices, and hospitality-driven service.

What We're Looking For

• Proven success leading culinary operations within a complex, high-volume foodservice environment.
• Experience overseeing multiple dining venues, cafés, catering operations, or other multi-unit foodservice programs.
• Demonstrated leadership of large teams, including salaried culinary managers and frontline hourly associates.
• Experience operating within a unionized environment and partnering effectively with labor relations and human resources teams.
• Strong financial acumen with responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, purchasing, food cost controls, and labor management.
• Ability to balance culinary innovation with operational execution across diverse service platforms.
• Experience building, coaching, and developing high-performing culinary teams while creating an inclusive and engaged workplace culture.
• Track record of partnering directly with senior client stakeholders and executive leadership teams.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to influence at multiple levels of an organization.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety standards.
• Commitment to sustainability, wellness initiatives, responsible sourcing, and contemporary food trends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary degree or formal culinary training.
• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Foodservice Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience leading culinary operations with annual revenues exceeding $15M-$30M.
• Experience managing teams of 100+ associates in a complex foodservice environment.
• Background in Business & Industry, corporate dining, hospitality, luxury hospitality, convention center, or similarly sophisticated hospitality environments.
• Experience supporting executive dining, VIP service, and large-scale catering programs.
• Demonstrated success opening new concepts, leading renovations, or driving culinary transformation initiatives.
• Proficiency with food management systems, inventory platforms, Microsoft Office, and reporting tools.
• ServSafe® Manager Certification required or obtained upon hire.

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Req ID:1577177

Restaurant Associates

Michael Abbey

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