Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Visionary culinary leader who thrives in a high-volume hospitality environment and is passionate about building exceptional teams, creating memorable dining experiences, and driving culinary excellence?

The Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center is seeking an experienced, innovative, and people-focused Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations across our award-winning hotel and conference center. This includes our signature restaurant, Watermill Kitchen + Bar, recognized for its elevated Midwest-inspired cuisine, locally influenced flavors, exceptional guest experience, and the 2025 Corridor Business Journal New Restaurant of the Year.

As the hotel's senior culinary leader, you'll oversee restaurant operations, banquet production, stewarding, room service, associate dining, purchasing, menu development, food quality, financial performance, and culinary talent development. Working closely with the Director of Food & Beverage and hotel leadership, you'll help shape the culinary vision while inspiring a culture built around hospitality, teamwork, accountability, and People Pleasing People.

Schedule & Pay

• Full-time leadership position
• Competitive annual salary, commensurate with experience
• Performance bonus eligibility
• Flexible schedule based on business demands
• Must be available for evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Salaried, exempt position

Why Our Culinary Team Loves Working Here

• Competitive compensation package
• Matching 401(k) and profit-sharing opportunities
• Health benefits available after 30 days for full-time associates
• Free and discounted meals & Starbucks
• Free Marcus Theatre movie tickets
• Hotel discounts at Hyatt and Marcus Hotels & Resorts properties
• Free parking and uniforms
• Opportunities for advancement and career growth
• A fast-paced, team-focused culture built around People Pleasing People

What You’ll Do

As Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary operations throughout the hotel while inspiring and developing your team, driving operational and financial success, and ensuring every dining experience reflects the Hyatt Regency Coralville commitment to exceptional hospitality.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations throughout the hotel
• Lead restaurant, banquet, room service, stewarding, associate dining, and catering production
• Inspire, coach, mentor, and develop culinary leaders and associates
• Recruit, hire, and retain top culinary talent
• Create seasonal menus, banquet offerings, and innovative culinary experiences
• Partner with Food & Beverage leadership to elevate guest satisfaction
• Ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and execution
• Drive labor productivity and food cost performance while maintaining quality standards
• Oversee purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships
• Ensure compliance with all health, sanitation, and food safety regulations
• Develop departmental budgets and manage financial performance
• Foster collaboration across Culinary, Banquets, Restaurants, Stewarding, Purchasing, and Sales
• Lead kitchen safety initiatives and equipment maintenance
• Support VIP events, large conventions, weddings, and signature hotel events
• Participate as a member of the hotel's Executive Committee leadership team
• Champion Marcus Hotels & Resorts' culture of People Pleasing People
• Perform additional leadership responsibilities as assigned

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for an experienced culinary leader who thrives in a high-volume hospitality environment and enjoys building strong teams, developing future leaders, and delivering exceptional culinary experiences for every guest.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Five or more years of Executive Chef or comparable culinary leadership experience in a hotel, resort, conference center, or high-volume restaurant
• Strong banquet and convention experience preferred
• Proven success leading large culinary teams
• Experience with menu development and seasonal culinary programming
• Strong financial acumen, including food cost, labor management, budgeting, and forecasting
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills
• Ability to build strong relationships across departments
• Passion for mentoring future culinary leaders
• Thorough knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
• ServSafe Certification (or ability to obtain)
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training preferred
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds with assistance
• Ability to stand and walk throughout the workday

If you're passionate about leading talented culinary professionals, creating unforgettable guest experiences, and shaping the culinary vision of one of Iowa's premier hotels and conference centers, we'd love to meet you. Join an award-winning team where hospitality, creativity, and people come first.

About Us

At Marcus Hotels & Resorts, we believe our associates are our greatest asset. Our culture is built around the philosophy of People Pleasing People, creating memorable experiences for both guests and team members.

The Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center offers a dynamic, welcoming, and fast-paced environment where associates can grow, develop, and take pride in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All offers of employment are subject to E-Verify verification of identity and employment eligibility.