Executive Chef

Restaurant Associates; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. In this role, you will design menus that reflect creativity and diversity while managing all café and coffee bar operations.

Qualified candidates should have experience in fast-paced culinary settings, strong leadership abilities, and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences. Benefits include medical and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Experience leading culinary operations in a high-volume setting.
• Background in catering or large-scale food production.
• Comfort with budgeting and inventory processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations for the café and coffee bar.
• Guide, mentor, and develop a culinary team.
• Design and execute menus reflecting seasonal ingredients.

Skills

Culinary operations leadership

Budget management

Team development

Strong organizational skills

Knowledge of diverse cuisines

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Bring your culinary vision to a culturally rich and mission-driven environment at the National Museum of the American Indian. As Executive Chef, you’ll lead a dynamic café and coffee bar operation serving a high-volume, diverse audience. This role offers the opportunity to shape menus that reflect creativity, authenticity, and quality while guiding a collaborative culinary team.

You’ll play a key role in delivering an exceptional guest experience, supporting innovation in food programs, and fostering a workplace where team members can learn, grow, and thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support all operations for the café and coffee bar, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency
• Guide, mentor, and develop a team of associates, creating an inclusive and engaging workplace culture
• Design and execute menus that align with seasonal ingredients, guest preferences, and cultural relevance
• Manage food and labor costs by monitoring budgets, forecasting needs, and optimizing resources
• Oversee purchasing, inventory management, and vendor partnerships
• Ensure all food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards are upheld
• Partner with marketing and culinary leadership to introduce new programs, promotions, and concepts
• Support high-volume service and catering initiatives as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Experience leading culinary operations in a high-volume café, restaurant, or hospitality setting
• Background in catering or large-scale food production
• Comfort with managing budgets, cost controls, and inventory processes
• A collaborative leadership style with a focus on coaching and team development
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• A passion for food, hospitality, and continuous learning
• Culinary degree or equivalent hands‑on experience
• Experience in a cultural institution, museum, or destination dining environment
• Familiarity with diverse cuisines and the ability to create thoughtful, inclusive menus

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/

Benefits

• Medical
• 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

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