Executive Chef

Stanford University, established in 1891, stands as one of the world's premier teaching and research institutions. Located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, between San Francisco and San Jose, this renowned university spans a scenic 8,180-acre campus and encompasses seven distinguished schools. Offering academic excellence across a wide spectrum of disciplines—including business, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law, medicine, and sustainability—Stanford is a beacon of innovation and intellectual inquiry. Its mission is to create and disseminate knowledge, nurture student curiosity, foster critical thinking, and equip students to make meaningful contributions globally. The university fosters a culture of expansive inquiry, fresh perspectives, freedom of thought, and engaged citizenship, positioning itself as a world leader in education and research.

Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&D&E), the largest auxiliary organization of Stanford University, plays a critical role in supporting the university's academic mission through the provision of high-quality housing and dining services. Operating with an annual budget of $400 million, R&D&E functions continuously, 24/7/365, managing an extensive $3 billion asset portfolio that covers over seven million square feet, approximately one-third of the entire campus. This organization accommodates over 16,000 students and their dependents and serves approximately 8 million meals yearly across 48 student dining venues and 32 culinary enterprises. Beyond dining and housing, R&D&E provides comprehensive executive services, conference operations, and guest lodging. Supported by a diverse team exceeding 1,200 employees organized across multiple divisions, including Student Housing Operations & Stanford Conferences, Stanford Dining and Hospitality & Auxiliaries, Maintenance Operations and Capital Projects, and strategic business partners covering Finance & Administration, IT, Human Resources, and Strategic Communications and Marketing, the organization champions a service-first culture dedicated to student satisfaction.

The Executive Chef role at Stanford University’s Residential & Dining Enterprises is a pivotal culinary leadership position reporting to the Dining Hall Manager. This position is responsible for the culinary execution of the residential student dining meal program along with late-night retail offerings at a designated dining hall. The Executive Chef ensures the delivery of high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals that adhere to the university’s standards in taste, presentation, consistency, and food safety. With comprehensive oversight of back-of-house kitchen operations, the role manages menu execution, food production, food safety compliance, and culinary team leadership. Acting as a key partner to the Dining Hall Manager, the Executive Chef aligns culinary operations with student participation and preferences, dietary requirements, and wellness goals to create a welcoming, student-oriented dining experience.

This role entails a commitment to operational excellence with responsibilities including maintaining effective production systems, achieving food cost and waste targets, adhering to health and sanitation regulations, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. The Executive Chef champion's innovative menu planning by incorporating theme menus and recipe development that support business objectives and enhance customer service quality. As a frontline leader, this role is essential and requires the incumbent to be present onsite, including working evenings and weekends as operational needs dictate. It is a demanding and rewarding position where culinary expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for quality service converge to enhance the dining experience of Stanford students.

The position offers an annual salary range between $105,000 and $115,000, reflecting the complexity and high standards expected from this leadership role. Stanford University also emphasizes a supportive and inclusive work environment, offering substantial career development resources, excellent health care benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, family care resources, and wellness programs. Employees benefit from being part of a vibrant community that values innovation, diversity, and professional growth, making Stanford not only a prestigious place to study but also a rewarding place to work.