Culinary Director

LifeSpire of Virginia is seeking a Culinary Director to support our Daleville Community, The Chesapeake. Please apply if interested!

Job Title: Culinary Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Job Summary:

The Culinary Director oversees all dining operations at The Glebe, delivering exceptional dining experiences across the full continuum of care, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Health Care, and Memory Care. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all dining services, including daily meal service, private events, activities, and in-house catering. The Culinary Director leads and mentors the entire dining leadership team and staff while ensuring the highest standards of quality, service, regulatory compliance, and resident satisfaction.

Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years in the dining or food service industry


• At least 4 years in a leadership or managerial role

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant certification in Food Service, Nutrition, and/or Business Management

Skills & Competencies

• Proven experience managing large-scale dining operations, preferably in healthcare or senior living environments


• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulatory compliance


• Expertise in quantity food preparation and production


• Demonstrated success in financial management, staffing, and performance outcomes


• Consistent track record of high resident and customer satisfaction

Licensure & Regulatory Compliance

• Must meet at least one qualification outlined in the Regulations for the Licensure of Nursing Facilities (Part IV, 12 VAC 5-371-340) as required by the Virginia Department of Health

Key Responsibilities:

Dining Operations & Program Oversight

• Lead the planning, preparation, and delivery of meals and special diets for residents and staff


• Establish and maintain departmental standards, goals, and performance metrics


• Design and evaluate systems to enhance service quality using resident feedback, surveys, and food committee input


• Develop resident-focused menus that balance therapeutic, nutritional, and culinary excellence


• Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation regulations


• Implement waste-reduction strategies and efficient food production practices


• Conduct regular dining room rounds to ensure quality service and resident satisfaction

Menu & Dietary Management

• Develop and oversee regular and specialty menus in collaboration with consulting dietitians


• Ensure accurate preparation and delivery of all special diets, including vegetarian and other dietary accommodations


• Maintain compliance with all dietary, nutritional, and therapeutic requirements

Leadership & Staff Management

• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard dining staff in accordance with organizational policies


• Direct and supervise chefs, managers, servers, hosts, and kitchen staff


• Ensure adequate staffing levels while maintaining budget alignment


• Provide orientation, training, and ongoing in-service education


• Maintain accurate personnel records, credentials, and certification tracking


• Delegate responsibilities effectively to ensure smooth daily operations


• Conduct regular staff meetings to promote communication, alignment, and accountability

Administrative & Financial Management

• Collaborate with the Executive Director on departmental planning, budgeting, and forecasting


• Monitor and manage departmental expenses to ensure adherence to budget


• Oversee procurement, inventory control, storage, and equipment maintenance


• Review and approve invoices for food, supplies, equipment, and services


• Participate in the development and revision of dining service policies and procedures


• Maintain inspection readiness and ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies

Communication & Resident Engagement

• Maintain open, respectful, and effective communication with residents, staff, and leadership


• Actively listen, seek feedback, and ensure clarity in all interactions


• Serve as a role model for professionalism, service excellence, and community engagement


• Provide regular coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members

Performance & Compliance

• Complete annual performance reviews and evaluations within established timelines


• Stay current with regulations from the Department of Health, Department of Social Services, Department of Health Professions, and OSHA


• Ensure dining services are consistently prepared for inspections and audits

General Responsibilities

• Adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and confidentiality requirements


• Uphold residents’ rights and dignity at all times


• Follow emergency and evacuation procedures to ensure safety


• Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals