Executive Chef

Executive Chef

NeueHouse Madison Square is seeking an Executive Chef with a genuine fine-dining pedigree who has led ambitious kitchens, built direct relationships with farmers and artisan producers, and can run a large, high-volume operation without losing sight of craft. This is a cultural cornerstone position where you will define the culinary identity of a historic 1913 Flatiron landmark where the world's most innovative creators gather to work, dine, and connect.

As Executive Chef, you are the guardian of the guest experience across our members-only restaurant, private lounges, and high-profile event spaces. You will lead a single, high-performing kitchen operation that delivers exceptional à la carte dining alongside a multi-million-dollar private events program. Beyond driving culinary excellence, you are a culture architect who sets the tone for the kitchen, develops your team, and creates an environment where people are empowered to do their best work every day.

Located in the heart of the Flatiron District, NeueHouse Madison Square is a landmark of New York's creative scene, housed in a historic 1913 industrial building that once served as an auction house. NeueHouse Madison Square offers a timeless design, emotive experiences, and elevated hospitality. Across eight floors, it offers special event spaces, membership lounges, private office suites, and a members-only restaurant and bar, all artfully blending an edgy, industrial aesthetic with the comfort and warmth of a designer residence.

What You'll Do:

You will report directly to the House Director as a strategic partner in the house's success. You are a seasoned culinary leader, ideally with a background in celebrated fine-dining or farm-driven kitchens, who thrives in high-volume environments without ever compromising the precision of fine-dining presentation.

Culinary Leadership & Vision

• Oversee all day-to-day culinary operations across the restaurant, lounges, and event spaces, ensuring every dish meets the exacting standards our members expect.
• Lead end-to-end food production for all corporate meetings, high-profile conferences, and exclusive social events.
• Build and maintain direct relationships with farmers, ranchers, fishmongers, and artisan suppliers to drive a distinctive, seasonally-led menu, sourcing is a core part of this role, not an afterthought.
• Review PEOs (Private Event Orders) with a keen eye, developing and assigning production tasks to ensure seamless execution across all eight floors — this program represents a significant share of house revenue and deserves a leader who has run private events at real scale.
• Approach menu and service design with a strategic lens, accounting for member benefit, the competitive dining landscape (both member organizations and nearby dining competitors), and the broader NeueHouse brand.

Team Cultivation & Culture

• Attract, hire, and retain a diverse team of culinary professionals across multiple stations and shifts, acting as a mentor who motivates them to be "1% better every day."
• Ensure all employees are treated with equity and respect, handling personnel matters with the professionalism and care that defines our culture.
• Conduct impactful pre-shift meetings to brief the team on the day's business, goals, and guest expectations.
• Ensure the F&B offering is a strong expression of the NeueHouse brand pillars: people, creation, and discovery.

Operational Excellence

• Own food cost and labor cost performance with precision — conducting weekly and monthly reviews and holding the kitchen to disciplined, data-driven targets.
• Supervise the ordering, receiving, and storage of all supplies; conduct regular audits of food items and kitchen equipment to ensure zero-waste and peak readiness.
• Dynamically adjust staffing levels and schedules to match business volume, balancing guest service with operational efficiency.
• Maintain a "tour-ready" kitchen by enforcing rigorous sanitation standards and ensuring all equipment is serviced and performing at its best.

What We Look For:

• Culinary degree, certificate, or equivalent hands-on culinary training; we weigh demonstrated kitchen leadership as heavily as formal credentials.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree of training
• Experience leading a culinary team up to 20+ people
• Substantial private events or banquet experience, ideally including ownership of a large-scale events program.
• A successful track record of managing food cost and labor cost to specific, disciplined targets — be prepared to speak to your numbers.
• High volume, complex foodservice operations experience – highly desirable
• Institutional and batch cooking experiences a plus
• Hands-on chef experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Proficient in Google Suite, Slack and Zoom
• Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required; work schedule may include early mornings and occasional weekends
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull and place objects weighing less than or equal to 25 pounds without assistance
• Reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping
• Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time

Base Salary: $110,000 - $125,000 / annually

This role is also eligible for Convene's annual incentive performance bonus plan with bonus eligibility up to 20% annually.

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

At Convene Hospitality Group, we want you to feel supported in every part of your life. Here's what you can expect:

• Health & Wellness: Day-one health coverage for you and your family, 24/7 virtual care, emotional well-being support, and fertility & family planning benefits. Because your well-being matters, inside and outside of work.
• Time Off & Balance: Generous PTO, your birthday off (because, of course!), paid parental leave, and a year-end holiday closure to recharge.
• Financial Growth: 401K with company match and support for education, courses, and certifications. We invest in you so you can grow personally and professionally.
• Development & Recognition: Ongoing career growth opportunities plus recognition programs to celebrate milestones.
• Community & Impact: Volunteer and give-back opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact in the work you do.

At Convene Hospitality Group, we believe great teams are built by bringing together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Our values of GRIT (Genuine, Relentless, Integrity, and Teamwork) shape how we show up for each other every day. We want everyone here to feel welcome, supported, and free to be themselves. If you're excited to grow, learn, and make an impact, we'd love to have you on the team.

Convene Hospitality Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.