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.  

• Culinary 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.

Compensation 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 Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• Proven experience (10+ years) in culinary leadership within premium hospitality, airline lounges, or high-end F&B environments
• Strong portfolio of concept development and successful business rollouts
• Exceptional culinary palate with deep knowledge of global cuisine and food trends
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and client-facing communication skills
• Passionate about innovation, quality, and the guest experience
• Ability to travel for site visits, tastings, events, and conferences

At 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.

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Management Experience - 5 years

Minimum Functional Experience - 5 years of experience in operations, marketing, or a related field.