Director or Sr. Director of Culinary Operations - Full-Time

Lead and elevate a culinary program where food, people, and experience matter! This role blends hands-on leadership with strategic oversight-owning menus, teams, technology, and budgets while partnering across operations. Success is measured by resident engagement, meal participation, and creating dining experiences people genuinely look forward to.

Position Summary

This role is a dynamic, hands-on, and strategic leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of culinary operations. This role blends leadership, operations, financial stewardship, technology integration, and team development to deliver high-quality dining experiences that drive resident satisfaction, engagement, and community connection.

This leader will take ownership of menus, staffing, systems, training, and service quality-ensuring the culinary program is not only operationally strong but also culturally aligned with a hospitality-forward, resident-centered environment. Success in this role is measured by resident participation in dining, positive feedback on resident surveys, meal attendance and purchases, and a dining experience that residents are excited to be part of.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Operations & Quality-Maintain ownership of menu planning, food options, and dining quality and drive meal participation by creating dining experiences residents want to be part of-not just meals.
• Leadership & Team Development-Lead, direct, coach, and develop Culinary and Dining Services teams and create accountability, structure, and clear expectations while fostering a positive, motivating culture.
• Technology, Billing & Systems Management-Oversee meal billing, charges, and documentation processes and utilize dining technology platforms effectively for tracking, billing, and reporting.
• Financial & Budget Management-Manage culinary budgets with accountability, adaptability, and fiscal responsibility, and balance creativity and quality with responsible financial stewardship.

What Success Looks Like

• High resident participation in dining and meal programs
• Positive resident survey feedback related to food and dining
• Engaged, stable, well-trained culinary and dining teams
• Accurate billing, documentation, and technology utilization
• Consistent dining quality and service standards

Required Education, Certifications & Experience

• Culinary degree or related education preferred
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) not required, but preferred
• Food safety certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)

Experience Requirements:

• Preferred: 5+ years of culinary leadership or dining services management experience
• Leadership experience in healthcare, senior living, hospitality, or large-scale dining preferred but not required
• Proven experience leading teams, managing budgets, and overseeing operations
• Title, compensation, and responsibilities tailored to the candidate's experience and expertise (Senior Director of Culinary Operations or Director of Culinary Operations).

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong people leader who can both direct and develop teams
• Strategic thinker with hands-on leadership presence
• Technologically proficient and comfortable with billing systems and digital tools
• Highly organized, accountable, and adaptable
• Collaborative and relationship-driven
• Creative, solutions-oriented, and service-focused
• Passionate about creating dining experiences-not just meals

What's In It For You?

• Competitive benefits package including low premiums, short-term disability, long-term disability, HSA contribution matching, 401(k) with company match, and more!
• Competitive wage scales and tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs of up to $3,000 per year.
• Financial wellness and freedom through access to your earned wages prior to your pay date.
• A great culture where we live out our mission "to celebrate life in environments we create by delivering exceptional service and superior value through innovative leadership in personalized care."

In 1989, Nye Health Services was founded on the philosophy that people deserve services that recognize individuality and are tailored to their unique needs. Today, Nye Health Services remains family-owned with campuses in Fremont, Lincoln, Louisville, and Norfolk, Nebraska. Nye Health Services is blessed with dedicated and compassionate people who believe in our vision and deliver on our mission every day. Having a great work environment while providing the best quality services so people feel cared for is of the utmost importance to us. We give passionate people a purpose!

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

Nye Health Services conducts background checks as part of the hiring process. We believe in reviewing each situation individually and consider factors such as the role applied for, the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and overall qualifications when making employment decisions.