RESTAURANT KITCHEN MANAGER - NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - EVANSTON, IL

Kitchen Manager (Executive Chef) Position

Chartwells Higher Education is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience at over 300 college & universities around the country. We are challenging the norm and setting new standards by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. We are food-forward difference makers, bound together by a desire to feed hungry minds and prepare students for success.

We are seeking hungry, humble and smart associates who are looking to join and grow with a diverse organization. We invite you to start your career journey with us and look forward to hearing from you.

Job Summary

We are opening a new high-end Pub a new unit at the Northwestern University - Evanston campus in December 2025 and are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Kitchen Manager (Executive Chef) to lead all back-of-house (BOH) operations. This is an exciting opportunity to build a brand-new culinary team and shape the food culture, quality standards, and operational systems from the ground up.

The ideal candidate is a creative and driven culinary professional with a strong background in fine dining, team leadership, and kitchen administration. This individual will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and consistency while fostering a collaborative and professional kitchen environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all BOH operations, including food preparation, service, sanitation, and staffing.
• Maintain rigorous standards of food quality, presentation, and taste aligned with the Pub's elevated dining / upscale casual expectations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor kitchen staff; ensure adherence to safety, sanitation, and culinary best practices.
• Collaborate with the FOH Manager and operational leadership on menu development, trend-driven seasonal offerings, and special event planning.
• Manage inventory, vendor relationships, and purchasing to ensure cost-effective procurement of fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Monitor and control food and labor costs, implementing strategies to achieve budgetary goals while maintaining quality.
• Ensure full compliance with local health codes, food safety regulations, and company policies.
• Develop and manage BOH schedules to meet labor and service demands.
• Lead and support the team during peak service periods to ensure smooth and timely execution.
• Conduct regular line checks, tastings, and quality audits throughout service.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and high-performance kitchen culture through coaching and accountability.

Job Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of progressive leadership experience in an upscale casual, elevated dining, or high-volume kitchen environment.
• Prior restaurant experience strongly preferred.
• Strong culinary background and hands-on expertise with fresh, high-quality ingredients and modern methods.
• Proven ability to inspire, train, and manage a diverse culinary team in a high-pressure setting.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment, operations, and food safety standards Proficiency in inventory systems, food cost analysis, labor forecasting, and kitchen management software.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• ServSafe Food Manager Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire) required.
• Culinary degree or equivalent formal training preferred.
• Professional demeanor, passion for culinary excellence, and commitment to delivering a trend-driven, approachable, and high-class dining experience.

Chartwells Higher Ed maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Chartwells Higher Ed are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.