Executive Chef

Job Description

Job Description

Ci Siamo is a restaurant from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group and James Beard semifinalist Chef Hillary Sterling. This New York Times Top 100 restaurant celebrates the beauty of simplicity centering around live-fire cooking. The Italian-inflected menu takes inspiration from Chef Sterling’s extensive travels and is rooted in the understated excellence of seasonal ingredients and purposeful preparations. Ci Siamo, which loosely translates to “we’ve made it” or “we’ve arrived,” bridges the traditional with the contemporary to introduce a new space that is at once transportive yet warmly familiar.

Ci Siamo’s upcoming Boston location, opening later this year, will embody the same dynamic energy and commitment to culinary excellence as its New York original. Located at Commonwealth Pier, an exciting new waterfront project within the Seaport neighborhood, Ci Siamo Boston looks forward to assembling a talented opening team in our new home.

Who you are:

The Executive Chef is a dynamic and visionary leader responsible for driving operational excellence, teambuilding, and an exceptional guest experience through outstanding food and hospitality. Reporting to the Director of Operations, this role partners closely with the General Manager to achieve and exceed business goals while ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and behaviors of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG).

The ideal candidate is an inspiring leader with a passion for culinary excellence, team development, and delivering memorable hospitality experiences. They possess strong leadership skills, a friendly yet competitive spirit, and the ability to build and mentor high-performing teams in a high-volume environment.

The Executive Chef must reside in the Boston area. This role also includes opportunities to visit New York for onboarding, training, and professional development.

What you'll do: 

Team Development & Culture

• Consistently deliver a culture of Enlightened Hospitality to guests and team members
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team that embodies Enlightened Hospitality in every interaction
• Lead and coach the Sous Chef team in executing consistently excellent food and ensuring an efficient, timely flow of service
• Provide mentorship, training, and development opportunities to all culinary team members, fostering growth and long-term career progression
• Proactively seek opportunities to recruit, retain, and promote diverse talent, aligning with USHG’s commitment to inclusion and belonging

Culinary Leadership

• Establish and uphold the highest standards of culinary excellence, food quality, and presentation to maintain the restaurant’s reputation as an industry leader in partnership with Chef Hillary Sterling
• Continually refine, enhance, and execute menu offerings to ensure creativity, seasonality, and guest appeal while aligning with business objectives
• Teach detailed recipes, food execution, and kitchen processes, ensuring consistency, precision, and adherence to all safety and sanitation regulations
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, growth, and collaboration within the culinary team

Operational Excellence

• Partner with the General Manager to cultivate a positive, collaborative work environment that fosters strong communication between front-of-house and back-of-house teams
• Establish and maintain effective kitchen systems and workflows that enhance efficiency, minimize waste, and support financial performance
• Monitor inventory, purchasing, and cost control measures to ensure financial sustainability while maintaining quality and consistency
• Oversee compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation regulations, upholding the highest standards in food safety practices

Strategic & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a strategic partner to Home Office departments, ensuring smooth execution of company-wide initiatives, training, and operational rollouts
• Build trusted relationships with other USHG leaders to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the adoption of best practices
• Leverage guest feedback and performance insights to make data-driven decisions that enhance the overall dining experience

What we need from you:

• 8+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop a high-performing culinary team
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food costs, inventory, and purchasing
• Expertise in Microsoft Office applications, restaurant scheduling, and kitchen management systems

What you’ll get from us:

At Union Square Hospitality Group,  extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As an Executive Chef, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and bonus potential : Annual compensation of $130,000 - $145,000 plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus of up to $30,000, with consideration for your experience and impact
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care
• Time to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work
• Investing in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long-term savings
• Peace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services
• Support in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship
• Dining Credit : An annual dining credit to enjoy exceptional meals and experiences at any of our restaurants 
• Dining Discount: A 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants to share unforgettable meals with friends and loved ones 
• Convenience & flexibility: Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality

Putting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice

Integral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together.

• We play to win with humble swagger.  Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong
• Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots  to build uplifting experiences and relationships
• Center the salt shaker  with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most
• Write a great next chapter.  The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled
• Bring a charitable assumption  and err on the side of generosity
• Leave our campsite better than we found it;  always responsible for the impact of our wake

*The above represents the expected salary for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.