Stanford University is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Founded in 1891, Stanford's mission is to create and share knowledge and to prepare students to be curious, to think critically, and to contribute to the world. With world-class scholars and seven schools located together on a single campus, Stanford offers academic excellence across the broadest array of disciplines including business, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law, medicine, and sustainability. It also is an engine of innovation, blending theory and practice to move ideas and discoveries from labs and classrooms out into the world. Stanford strives to foster a culture of expansive inquiry, fresh thinking, searching discussion, and freedom of thought - preparing students for leadership and engaged citizenship in the world. The university is located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, on a scenic 8,180-acre campus.
Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE), the largest auxiliary organization at Stanford University, supports the academic mission of the university by providing high-quality services to students and other members of the university community. R&DE has an annual operating budget of $400M, operates 24/7/365, and oversees a $3B asset portfolio comprising over 7 million square feet--one-third of the campus footprint. R&DE provides housing for 16,000 students and dependents, serves 8 million meals annually at 48 student dining venues and 32 culinary enterprises. In addition, R&DE provides executive services, conference operations, and guest lodging. R&DE is a talented and diverse team of 1,200+ who comprise the following divisions: Student Housing Operations & Stanford Conferences; Stanford Dining and Hospitality & Auxiliaries; Maintenance Operations and Capital Projects; and a team of R&DE strategic business partners--Finance & Administration, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Strategic Communications and Marketing.
"Students (Customers) First" is R&DE's mantra and its strategic goals reflect its commitment to delivering service excellence to the campus community. R&DE's belief is "students are never an interruption in our day; they are the reason we are here."R&DE's dedication to promoting fair treatment, access to opportunities, and a positive work environment is reflected in its essential priorities and efforts for cultivating a culture of operational excellence as a foundational cornerstone. R&DE is committed to creating and sustaining inclusive excellence where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to thrive.
The Executive Chef reports to the Dining Hall Manager within Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE) and serves as the culinary leader responsible for the execution of the residential student dining meal program and late-night retail offerings within an assigned dining hall (as applicable).
This role is accountable for delivering high-quality, nutritious meals with strong culinary integrity and exceptional hospitality, ensuring that all food served meets established standards for taste, presentation, consistency, and safety. The Executive Chef leads all back-of-house culinary operations, including menu execution, food production, food safety, and kitchen team leadership.
The Executive Chef partners closely with the Dining Hall Manager to align culinary operations with student needs, participation trends, and overall service goals. This role ensures that menus are executed effectively at scale while maintaining quality and responsiveness to student feedback, dietary needs, and wellness initiatives. Working with culinary and service teams, the Executive Chef establishes a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the kitchen operates efficiently, safely, and consistently, while contributing to a welcoming, student-centered dining experience.
This role is designated as essential and requires incumbents to report to work onsite. Telecommuting is not available for this role. Weekend and dinner service hours will be required.
JOB PURPOSE:
Oversee all culinary-related activities of food service operations and have responsibility for a campus region's systematic performance. Work in conjunction with the designated food service managers and chefs to meet revenue and expense goals.
CORE DUTIES
Deliver consistently high-quality food by meeting established standards for taste, presentation, freshness, and menu execution across all meal periods, including late-night service (as applicable).
Ensure excellence in culinary operations by maintaining strong production systems, accurate forecasting, and consistent execution at volume.
Maintain full food safety and compliance standards by achieving required health inspection outcomes and ensuring adherence to all sanitation and safety protocols.
Achieve food cost and waste targets by managing purchasing, production, and inventory effectively, including reducing overproduction and improving yield.
Support student health and wellness outcomes by executing nutritionally balanced menus and ensuring proper delivery of dietary accommodations.
Lead recipe and menu planning by creating theme menus and recipes that align with organizational business optimization, quality, and customer service standards.
Promote health and safety standards by ensuring all operations are delivering effective and complete food safety and hygiene programs and by performing real-time assessments on program completion.
Lead comprehensive business optimization by reviewing and analyzing operations' inventory practices, designating changes and monitoring implementation, systematically integrating with organizational quality, safety, storage, certifications, and waste management goals, ensuring facilities' equipment is maintained and forecasting necessary replacements, overseeing and ensuring operations are controlling labor and operating expenses through effective scheduling, budgeting, purchasing decisions, and inventory control, and overseeing and reviewing forecasting and strategic budgeting.
Lead and model effective employee and staff relations by evaluating, leading, motivating, coaching, and providing corrective action for direct reports.
* - Other duties may also be assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Accredited college program or degree, preferably specializing in a culinary program, or combination of education and relevant experience. Seven years of culinary management experience directing a large staff/multi-meal plan location/large volume cooking.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to execute creative menu development.
Ability to apply business optimization principles and techniques across the organization.
Ability to champion innovative ideas and concepts by utilizing cutting edge trends and maintaining current industry standards.
Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
Demonstrated ability to harmoniously and professionally manage and work with co-workers and supervisors.
Ability to operate computer equipment and food and beverage computer systems.
Ability to operate and utilize culinary production equipment and tools.
Understanding and ability to apply local, state, and federal health and sanitation laws.
Reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the English language.
Understanding and application of basic training techniques.
Certifications and Licenses:
ServSafe CA Certification
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
Constantly stand, walk, chop and mix.
Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
Occasionally lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 50.
Ability to see food presentation and taste all types of food (glutens, dairy, all protein, vegetables, and starches).
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Scheduled days and work hours may vary based on operational need.
WORK STANDARDS:
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $105,000 to $115,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Why Stanford is for You:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enriches the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the university will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Why work at Stanford?Stanford University has changed the world, over and over again.We are one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and also one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At the same time, our traditions of respect and collaboration sustain a humane, supportive environment in which to pursue your life and your career.At Stanford you'll work with bright, diverse, dedicated people. You'll find encouragement to learn and grow. You'll enjoy excellent benefits and an outstanding environment. How will it change you?
