Divisional Director of Culinary Services

Discovery Senior Living • Baltimore, MD

1d • $115,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Divisional Director of Culinary Services – Seaton Senior Living Location: Candidates will be based in Baltimore, MD, overseeing the Mid-Atlantic region (NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, or VA). Compensation: $115k-$120k Travel : 40%-50% Seaton Senior Living is seeking an experienced Divisional Director of Culinary Services to lead culinary standards, menu development, and hospitality excellence across communities within the Northeastern U.S. territory. This role partners with operations, sales, and community-level leaders to ensure top-quality dining experiences, regulatory compliance, and financial performance. We are looking for a results-driven culinary leader who can: Develop and oversee menu cycles, menu software, and signature dining programs. Train and mentor community Directors of Culinary Services, supporting recruitment, performance, and team development. Negotiate with vendors to ensure best pricing, selection, and service. Establish staffing and scheduling standards for efficiency and quality. Support sales and marketing teams with outreach, events, and culinary showcases. Guide safe food handling, storage, and sanitation standards. Lead initiatives such as chef competitions, resident dining events, and food council meetings. Monitor food costs, budgets, and inventory management. Create service standards for dining room setup, uniforms, and multi-venue dining experiences. Participate in monthly culinary meetings and financial calls, sharing insights and supporting accountability. As Divisional Director of Culinary Services, you’ll provide culinary leadership and operational guidance to communities in your division. You will establish dining standards, develop innovative programs, and ensure a resident-centered culinary culture that balances creativity, compliance, and cost control. This is a regional leadership role requiring frequent travel.

Requirements

• Culinary school education or college degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of culinary management experience in a food service environment, with proven success in food safety compliance and budget management.
• Multi-unit management experience required; senior living experience preferred but not required.
• Strong background leading chefs and diverse kitchen teams, with emphasis on team development, coaching, and accountability.
• ServSafe certification or equivalent food safety training required.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate vendor contracts, manage food costs, and oversee operational budgets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to deliver feedback effectively and build relationships with residents, staff, and partners.
• Highly organized and results-oriented, with clear ownership of responsibilities and follow-through.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; adaptable and open to learning new systems.
• Collaborative mindset; comfortable both giving and receiving feedback across departments.
• Ability to travel frequently within the assigned division.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of dysphagia diets and sanitation protocols preferred (training available as needed).
• Multi-unit management experience required; senior living experience preferred but not required.
• Culinary school education or college degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop menu cycles, standards, and dining programs to reflect resident preferences and regional needs.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and ongoing coaching for community culinary leaders.
• Support signature culinary events, themed dining, and special celebrations.
• Ensure all communities follow safe food handling, sanitation, and storage practices.
• Conduct systematic audits using structured tools, leaving post-visit reports and clear action steps.
• Deliver constructive feedback to community leaders, helping teams improve performance.
• Guide food council meetings, including documentation and action planning.
• Negotiate vendor contracts to achieve best pricing and service.
• Monitor food costs, budgets, and raw food spending, ensuring alignment with financial goals.
• Partner with community leaders on inventory systems and cost-control practices.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to support outreach and referral events.
• Assist with culinary showcases and resident engagement programs.
• Promote satisfaction through responsive service, active feedback collection, and innovative dining programs.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Full benefits package: medical, dental, vision, PTO, holidays, 401(k) with match, and more.
• Additional perks: paid training and growth opportunities, early access to earned wages, wellness programs, and volunteer time off.
• Work in a purpose-driven, resident-first environment.
• Be part of a collaborative and innovative culinary leadership team.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive pay with early access to earned wages, flexible scheduling, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) with employer match, paid training and growth opportunities, meals and uniforms (where applicable), and additional perks such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), volunteer time off, and wellness-related benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees