Sonida Senior Living logo

Regional Director of Culinary Experience

Louisville, KY, USA|Remote, Travel

Job Overview

briefcase

Employment Type

Full-time
clock

Work Schedule

Standard Hours
Flexible
diamond

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional Development
remote work
Travel reimbursement

Job Description

The company is a leading provider of senior living solutions, encompassing a wide portfolio of assisted living and independent living communities designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The organization is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and enriching experiences across its communities through comprehensive services that align with the evolving needs of its residents. With a strong emphasis on compassion, innovation, and excellence, the company stands as a trusted name in the senior living industry, fostering environments where residents feel valued, supported, and engaged.

The Regional Director of Culinary Experience plays a pivotal role within this organization, charged with the responsibility of overseeing and elevating dining services across multiple communities within a specified region. This leadership position is remote based and entails collaboration with Executive Directors, Dining Managers, and culinary teams to ensure that the dining programs consistently meet high quality standards, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. The position is essential in creating personalized, nutritious, and appealing dining experiences that contribute significantly to resident satisfaction and wellbeing.

As the Regional Director, you will be the key driver behind culinary excellence, working closely with community-level dining leaders to mentor and develop their skills while providing strategic direction that aligns with the company’s mission and vision. Your expertise will influence menu development, hospitality-focused service delivery, and adherence to food safety and sanitation standards. Part of your responsibilities includes overseeing budgets, controlling costs, and enhancing profitability without compromising quality or resident care.

In addition to managing day-to-day operations, you will spearhead training initiatives, implement continuous improvement efforts, and participate in companywide dining innovations. The role demands a proactive and dynamic leadership style, combined with strong communication skills and financial acumen, ensuring that all communities under your supervision not only comply with health and safety regulations but also consistently deliver an outstanding culinary experience.

By partnering with resident care and wellness teams, you ensure that dietary needs and preferences are met, fostering a culture of personalized nutrition and hospitality that supports residents’ overall health and enjoyment. Regular site visits and direct engagement with residents allow you to monitor satisfaction levels and implement timely enhancements.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned culinary leader with a passion for senior living and a commitment to excellence to impact numerous communities positively. The role offers a challenging yet rewarding career path, where leadership, innovation, and dedication converge to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents across the region.

Job Requirements

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or related field preferred
  • Minimum 5 years of dining/culinary leadership experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality
  • Multi-site or regional management experience strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of dietary guidelines for older adults, therapeutic diets, and food safety regulations
  • ServSafe Certification or equivalent required
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Strong financial acumen and budgeting experience
  • Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned region

Job Qualifications

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or related field preferred
  • Minimum 5 years of dining/culinary leadership experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality
  • Multi-site or regional management experience strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of dietary guidelines for older adults, therapeutic diets, and food safety regulations
  • ServSafe Certification or equivalent required
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Strong financial acumen and budgeting experience
  • Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned region

Job Duties

  • Oversee dining services operations for assigned communities, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management to community-level dining leaders
  • Conduct regular site visits to monitor operations, support teams, and identify improvement opportunities
  • Communicate company standards, expectations, and strategic priorities to drive alignment across communities
  • Ensure menus and meal service meet resident preferences, dining needs, and regulatory requirements
  • Drive hospitality-focused service, creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining atmosphere
  • Monitor resident satisfaction through surveys, feedback, and direct engagement
  • implement improvements as needed
  • Partner with operations and resident care teams to support Wellness and personalized dining experiences
  • Ensure all communities comply with federal, state, and local health, sanitation, and safety regulations
  • Maintain compliance with company policies, licensing requirements, and senior living industry dining standards
  • Support communities in preparation for health inspections and audits
  • Provide follow up and coaching after surveys or inspections to ensure sustained compliance
  • Manage regional dining budgets, food costs, and labor utilization in alignment with financial goals
  • Implement cost-control measures without compromising quality or resident satisfaction
  • Partner with procurement to ensure effective vendor relationships and supply chain efficiency
  • Monitor financial performance and identify trends or opportunities to improve profitability
  • Lead training initiatives to develop culinary skills, service standards, and food safety knowledge
  • Promote career growth opportunities within the dining services teams
  • Stay current on culinary trends, senior nutrition best practices, and industry innovations
  • Identify and mentor high potential team members to support future leadership development

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


Job Location

Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.

We'll match you with best jobs

Get job offers faster

Business woman
Business man
Search For More Opportunities:

How Candidates Get Hired Faster

Apply to 2–3 similar roles

Complete profile & get best matches

Check new opportunities daily

Woman chef
Man chef