Executive Sous Chef

Join the iconic Santa Monica Proper Hotel, where historic charm meets contemporary luxury in the heart of Santa Monica. A seamless merger of historic retrofit and new construction, our 267-room boutique hotel showcases stunning interior design by international style icon Kelly Wearstler, tantalizing dining options by local culinary stars, and a show-stopping rooftop lounge and swimming pool. With 16,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting and event space, we create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Position Overview The Executive Sous Chef works closely with the Executive Chef to ensure the highest level of culinary excellence. This role combines creative input with operational leadership, ensuring every dish aligns with our standards ofquality, innovation and guest satisfaction. Assist the Executive Chef in menu planning, development, and execution with a focus on seasonality, sustainability and innovation Ensure consistency in quality, taste and presentation of all dishes Act as a creative partner to the Executive Chef, contributing fresh ideas to enhance the culinary offering Supervise, mentor and train kitchen staff, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork Oversee kitchen operations in the absence of the Executive Chef Conduct regular staff performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback Monitor kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation and hygiene standards Manage inventory and procurement to minimize waste while maintaining optimal stock levels Collaborate with the Food & Beverage team to coordinate special events, banquets, and private dining experiences Engage with guests to personalize dining experiences and accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences Ensure guest feedback is promptly addressed and used to enhance offerings and service Assist in managing food cost budgets and achieving revenue targets Identify opportunities to optimize efficiency and control operational expenses Education Culinary degree or equivalent experience 5+ years of progressive culinary experience, including 3+ years kitchen management role Skills and Competencies: Exceptional leadership and team development abilities Deep understanding of the luxury lifestyle hotel market trends and customer preferences Familiarity with revenue management principles and digital marketing strategies Knowledge of local market dynamics and competition. Knowledge of luxury hospitality trends and best practices Strong communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays Physical Demands Ability to stand for extended periods Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds Work in varying temperature conditions Available to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays $120,000-130,000 Why Join Proper Hospitality At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together. Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper , we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper). We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests. Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically. At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together , for our guests and for one another. Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances #J-18808-Ljbffr