Culinary Experience Director

Job Description

Job Description

Why join Givens? Givens Communities continues to be a positive force and advocate for older adults.  We have a mission to expand the possibilities of aging by improving lives through communities, services, and outreach.  Givens Communities promotes Inclusion and Belonging by aligning our words with actions so that everyone is welcomed and treated with dignity and respect.  We continuously look for innovative approaches to achieve our sustainability goals and practices to protect our natural resources.  Our collective mindset is to ensure the communities remain forward thinking and progressive as our residents seek a purpose driven life.  Purpose. Passion. Possibilities.

Join our team and benefit from:

• Three major medical health insurance plans to choose from with dental and vision coverage at no additional cost
• Free short-term disability, life insurance, & access to our employee assistance program
• Paid time off (PTO), shift differential pay, & referral bonus program
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% matching
• Educational assistance & professional development opportunities
• Flexible spending account (FSA) & access to AFLAC & Prudential Life insurance products

Givens Estates is looking for a Culinary Experience Director to support our growing and innovating Culinary Experience team. The Director of Culinary Experience is a member of the campus leadership team and leads all dining, culinary, and catering operations across Givens Estates, spanning multiple dining venues and care levels. This role requires a leader who can balance forward-thinking culinary innovation with disciplined labor and cost management, meeting the high expectations of a discerning resident community that values exceptional quality, consistency, and service.

What you'll do:

• Oversee staff scheduling and staffing plans across all dining venues, Skilled Nursing, and Assisted Living dining services to ensure operational continuity; delegate a responsible staff member to act on their behalf when absent
• Develop and manage the department's annual operating and capital budget across all dining venues, culinary operations, purchasing, and catering
• Integrate brain health and longevity-focused nutrition principles into menu planning and culinary programming, in partnership with clinical and dietary staff
• Set and uphold a best-in-class hospitality standard across all dining venues ensuring every resident interaction reflects the highest level of warmth, attentiveness, and professionalism
• Partner with the Health Services Director in a matrix leadership structure, jointly owning compliance outcomes for dining services delivered within licensed care settings
• Champion food as a form of social currency, designing dining experiences that foster connection, joy, and community among residents, rather than focusing solely on food quality and service execution
• Perform any other duties and/or tasks that may be assigned on an as-needed basis by an authorized supervisor

What you'll need:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, dining services, or culinary operations, including experience managing multiple venues and large teams, preferably in a resorts or senior living
• Event planning and catering coordination experience
• Working knowledge of NC ABC regulations and responsible alcohol service requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, Culinary Arts, Business, or related field preferred
• Familiarity with culinary trends related to ageing services industry preferred

Compensation is $110,000 - $120,000 per year, based on background and experience and includes our comprehensive benefits package 

Still curious about what Givens is all about? It's kind of a long story, but at our core, we're a senior housing organization with a lot of heart and committed to providing housing to seniors of all socioeconomic backgrounds across WNC for more than 50 years. We already have five communities (three life plan communities and two affordable communities) with plans for many more in the coming years.