Airline Lounges Director of Culinary Services

Sodexo Live! Airport Lounges, North America is seeking a visionary Director of Culinary Services to lead the strategic development and execution of innovative culinary experiences for our United Airlines Portfolio. This high-impact role demands a creative leader with a strong culinary background, exceptional collaboration skills, and a passion for delivering elevated guest experiences. This culinary leader will be very adept at menu development and innovation, as well as being a key part of client sales and presentation teams. The Director will serve as a brand ambassador and innovation catalyst, shaping the future of premium dining through elite partnerships, new concept development, and trend-setting initiatives.This role is remote with up to 70% travel nationally. Our preferred location for this role is Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, or Dallas.What You'll DoCulinary Engagement & Partnerships: Lead all aspects of culinary engagement, including Global Chef partnerships, restaurant collaborations, high-profile Pop-Ups, and curated off-site culinary events.Concept Development & Execution: Spearhead new food & beverage concept ideation from the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase through to launch. Responsibilities include overarching concept design, RFP menu creation, and seamless rollout of new business initiatives.Menu Strategy & Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Executive Chefs across premium airline lounges to develop, review, and approve a la carte menus that meet brand, quality, and client expectations.Client Tastings & Presentations: Regularly host and attend client tastings to present and refine menus for upcoming rollouts and culinary refreshes.Stakeholder Partnership: Act as the primary liaison with client culinary teams and guest experience leadership to ensure every offering aligns with brand standards and elevates the premium customer experience.Brand Representation & Industry Engagement: Represent Sodexo Live! as the premier voice in culinary innovation at industry conferences, panels, seminars, and media events, reinforcing our position as a leader in premium hospitality.What We OfferCompensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs401(k) Plan with Matching ContributionsPaid Time Off and Company HolidaysCareer Growth Opportunities and Tuition ReimbursementMore extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.What You BringProven experience (10+ years) in culinary leadership within premium hospitality, airline lounges, or high-end F&B environmentsStrong portfolio of concept development and successful business rolloutsExceptional culinary palate with deep knowledge of global cuisine and food trendsExcellent interpersonal, presentation, and client-facing communication skillsPassionate about innovation, quality, and the guest experienceAbility to travel for site visits, tastings, events, and conferencesWho We AreAt Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.Qualifications & RequirementsMinimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's DegreeMinimum Management Experience - 5 YearsMinimum Functional Experience - 5 years of experience in operations, marketing, or a related field.