Corporate Chef

As the Corporate Executive Chef for the Kirkland & Ellis portfolio, you will play a vital role in leading the culinary vision and strategy across all Kirkland & Ellis food service locations, utilizing the Compass One team approach, and aligning with national hospitality standards. You will collaborate closely with leadership to develop innovative food concepts and programs that elevate the Kirkland brand and hospitality platform. This role requires strong coordination with other operating brands within Compass One, ensuring all initiatives are seamlessly integrated while maintaining the distinct identity of the Kirkland & Ellis hospitality experience.

This position can be based in New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and orient new chefs at Kirkland & Ellis food service locations, ensuring compliance with core culinary standards and Kirkland-branded food programs.
• Maintain all culinary programs and standards across Kirkland & Ellis sites to ensure a consistent and superior level of service, establishing each location as a Culinary Center for Excellence.
• Collaborate with the Compass One team to integrate national hospitality programs, adapting them to align with the Kirkland & Ellis brand identity and elevated expectations of service.
• Function as a liaison between the Kirkland & Ellis portfolio and other operating brands within Compass One, ensuring smooth execution of food service strategies, while all locations remain Kirkland-branded and consistent with the Kirkland and Ellis hospitality platform.
• Provide leadership for new account openings and renovations, and support portfolio-wide initiatives with innovative food concepts, menu creation, and culinary program development.
• Train, coach, and develop culinary personnel across all Kirkland & Ellis locations, ensuring a unified approach to food safety, quality, and service excellence.
• Complete all required reports, logs, and culinary reviews on time, ensuring all operations comply with Kirkland & Ellis standards and the Compass One team’s broader goal.
• Foster effective communication with the Corporate Executive Chef, VP of Operations, and unit-level chefs via emails, calls, and meetings, ensuring collaboration across all levels.
• Support the design and rollout of new facilities, focusing on cost reduction, operational efficiency, and high-quality culinary offerings.
• Ensure compliance with food preparation regulations in a corporate environment, adhering to Kirkland & Ellis policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Culinary Arts Degree from a recognized culinary school (e.g., CIA, Johnson and Wales) or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressive food service management experience, ideally within a corporate or multi-unit operation.
• Proven ability to manage multi-unit operations and collaborate with different operating brands while maintaining the integrity of the Kirkland & Ellis hospitality platform.
• Serv-Safe Certification required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Webtrition software or similar culinary management tools.
• Ability to travel up to 75% across Kirkland & Ellis sites.
• Certified Executive Chef certification is a plus.