Culinary Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

At Jubilation by Silver Companies, dining is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings people together and enhances the quality of life for our members.

We're seeking an experienced and passionate Culinary Director to lead our culinary and dining services team while creating memorable dining experiences that reflect our commitment to hospitality, excellence, and community.

As the Culinary Director, you'll oversee both the back-of-house and front-of-house dining operations, providing strategic leadership, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring every meal exceeds expectations. This is an exciting opportunity for a servant leader who enjoys mentoring others, developing innovative menus, managing operations, and delivering exceptional service in a vibrant senior living community.

If you're passionate about food, leadership, and creating meaningful experiences for others, we'd love to meet you.

About Jubilation by Silver Companies Jubilation by Silver Companies is a premier active adult community dedicated to providing an engaging lifestyle where members can thrive. Our communities are designed to foster connection, wellness, and exceptional hospitality through thoughtfully curated experiences, outstanding amenities, and personalized service.

At Silver Companies, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We invest in leaders who are committed to continuous improvement, teamwork, and delivering an exceptional experience for every member and guest.

What You'll Do

Lead & Develop Your Team

• Provide leadership and oversight for all culinary and dining service operations, including kitchen and dining room teams.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and develop team members while fostering a positive, service-focused culture.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and build succession plans for future leaders.
• Create staffing schedules that balance operational needs while effectively managing labor costs.
• Lead regular department meetings and communicate organizational priorities and expectations.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the department.

Deliver an Exceptional Culinary Program

• Oversee all kitchen operations to ensure outstanding food quality, presentation, consistency, and efficiency.
• Develop seasonal menus, daily offerings, and special event menus that reflect member preferences and dietary needs.
• Monitor food production, inventory, purchasing, and quality control to maintain operational excellence.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the dining program to exceed member expectations.

Elevate the Dining Experience

• Partner with the Assistant Culinary Director to ensure exceptional front-of-house hospitality and dining service.
• Establish and maintain service standards that create a welcoming and memorable dining experience.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout meal service and community events.

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Maintain compliance with all OSHA, food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Manage department budgets, purchasing, inventory, and cost controls.
• Support community events, holiday celebrations, and special functions.
• Respond to operational needs and provide leadership support during peak service periods.

What We're Looking For

• 5 years of previous leadership experience managing culinary operations, preferably in senior living, hospitality, country clubs, restaurants, hotels, or healthcare dining.
• Strong experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Passion for creating exceptional dining experiences and delivering outstanding hospitality.
• Experience with menu development, inventory management, food costing, and budgeting.
• Thorough knowledge of food safety, sanitation, OSHA, and health department regulations.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• ServSafe Certification (or ability to obtain) preferred.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt leadership position.

This position requires flexibility to support dining operations, including:

• Early mornings
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Holidays

Leadership presence during peak dining periods and community events is an essential part of this role.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Bend, stoop, reach, push, and pull as needed.
• Work safely in kitchen and dining environments with varying temperatures.

Benefits

We believe in taking care of our team so they can take care of our members. Eligible full-time employees enjoy:

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with Company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Career growth and leadership development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative team environment