Executive Chef, Athletics Performance

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Washington in Seattle is seeking an Executive Chef, Athletics Performance for the Don James Center Training Table to lead day-to-day dining operations for UW Intercollegiate Athletics. This role focuses on nutrition to power performance, guiding menus and programming to meet athletes’ needs in collaboration with ICA dietitians.

You will supervise culinary and service teams, ensure food safety and quality, develop performance-focused menus, and train staff in preparation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality plus four years of executive chef-level management experience in culinary operations.
• Experience with high-volume dining in university/athletic environments.
• Ability to develop nutritionally focused menus in collaboration with dietitians.
• Proficiency in food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day dining operations for UW Intercollegiate Athletics, managing staff and resources.
• Develop nutritionally focused menus in collaboration with ICA dietitians.
• Ensure high standards for food safety, quality, and service.
• Oversee CBORD-based menu planning, pricing, inventory, and reporting.
• Recruit, coach, and evaluate dining staff to ensure performance and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Nutrition knowledge

Staff training

Communication

Dietary accommodations

Menu development

CBORD familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Housing & Food Services has an outstanding opportunity for an Executive Chef, Athletics Performance for the Don James Center Training Table to join their team.

About This Opportunity
Reporting to the Assistant Director for Catering, Athletics Dining, and Strategic Partnerships, the Athletics Performance Executive Chef, Don James Center Training Table is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of dining services for UW Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA). Providing nutrition to power performance, this executive level chef position has responsibility for ensuring menus and programming meet the needs of UW Athletes and teams through creating nutritionally optimal meals for athletes and coaches. This will be achieved through effective leadership of the dining facility team and planning in coordination with ICA dietitians

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership (25%) Build and maintain positive relationships with student athletes, staff, stakeholders, and guests through effective communication and collaboration.
• Lead and support culinary and service teams through coaching, training, feedback, and daily operational leadership.
• Ensure high standards for customer service, food safety, workplace safety, and accommodation of specialty dietary needs.

Operations and Customer Service (20%)

• Oversee daily dining operations, staffing, inventory, and resource management to ensure efficient service and minimize waste, while maintaining clean, safe, and health-compliant facilities, and promptly addressing operational and safety concerns.
• Communicate effectively with athletic teams, ICA stakeholders, and Dining leadership regarding operational needs and service expectations.

Fiscal Management (10%)

• Monitor financial, labor, production, and inventory performance data to support operational goals and implement appropriate cost controls and adjustments.

Culinary Focus and Results (30%)

• Develop and execute high-quality, performance-focused menus and recipes that support athlete nutrition, wellness, and recovery goals.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership and ICA dietitians to create innovative menu concepts, products, and dining experiences.
• Train staff in food preparation, presentation, quality standards, and food safety practices to ensure consistent operational excellence.

Supervision (5%)

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and evaluate staff to ensure productivity, service quality, and compliance with university and departmental standards.
• Oversee and coordinate staffing operations and the work of direct and indirect reports within the dining operation.

CBORD (10%)

• Utilize CBORD FSS system data and reports to support menu planning, pricing, purchasing, inventory management, recipe compliance, and support of nutrition information, operational reporting, and customer-facing communication needs.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality plus four years of executive chef-level management experience in culinary operations.

Experience That Includes

• Comprehensive understanding of menu item specifics, including but not limited to dietary restrictions, food allergies and tolerances, ingredients, preparation processes, holding and serving temperatures, and HAACP guidelines.
• Leadership experience working within a high-volume seated restaurant, hotel, contract food services, university dining venue, or athletic dining facility.
• Effective execution of cook to order menu items in a restaurant setting.
• Effective expediting on the kitchen and service sides of a restaurant.
• Depth and breadth in concept development, kitchen management, food and labor cost controls, and plating and presentation.
• Effective training and leadership of staff.
• Effective interpersonal, organizational, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Effective supervision of staff, including training, giving constructive feedback and address performance through progressive, corrective action.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Project

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification by a recognized culinary institution or related
• Success working in a contemporary college/university dining environment
• Experience in a culinary management role within an athletic nutrition setting (ex. professional sports team, collegiate athletic department, or Olympic team setting).

Working Conditions

• This position is expected to maintain regular hours (8am-5pm M-F) during the work week to maximize availability for HFS meetings and to conduct daily business. Additional hours are required to provide a presence and coverage for meal services and HFS special events that may occur in the evenings and weekends.

About The Team

"Working together to enhance student life" is the Housing & Food Services mission statement. Housing & Food Services is a large and complex organization with a unified commitment to supporting student learning, growth, and success.

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range Minimum: $94,800.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum $98,508.00 annual

Benefits

Other Compensation: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular? This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) 100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit Not Applicable

About The UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.