Dining Services Director/Executive Chef

Dining Services Director/Executive Chef

Aviva Port St Lucie West is the area’s newest all inclusive, active 55+ independent living community, and for our residents, the dining room is where the day comes together.

This is not a cafeteria kitchen. Here the kitchen is an amenity, and residents will judge us by what lands on the plate tonight. We need a chef who can lead a team, run a tight operation, and cook food that makes people look forward to dinner. You would report to the Executive Director and Corporate Culinary Director, and you would be shaping the dining experience while the community’s reputation is still being built.

What you will own

The dining experience.

Residents, families, and guests should leave every meal feeling cared for. As Executive Chef, you set that standard each day, crafting a menu in partnership with our Culinary Director and bringing it to life with skill and creativity. The satisfaction of our residents and the strength of our community are shaped by what happens in your kitchen.

Your team and its pride.

You will teach and lead the culinary team, and help them feel proud of what they put out. You will build the monthly schedule and make sure open shifts get covered. On a busy night, you will step in and work the line next to them.

Your numbers.

You purchase the food, manage inventory, and keep vendors accountable for quality and service. You run the monthly food and supply budget to standard, with cost control as part of the job.

Safety and standards.

Proper handling, storage, and use of food is yours to monitor and maintain.

Resident voice.

You will hold monthly food committee meetings, follow up on every comment and concern, and keep records of what was raised and how it was resolved. Open communication with residents, families, and staff is how you will keep trust.

What you bring, and what you will get to use

You will get to use real culinary skill here, so we are looking for it:

• A culinary degree or equivalent training
• ServSafe certification, with additional state required restaurant sanitation certification preferred
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in high volume, high end food service, such as hotel, resort, or senior living
• Working knowledge of institutional food service at a high level: planning, preparation, cooking, storage, dietetics, and sanitation
• Strong technical and creative cooking skills, including fine dining preparation

A background in fine dining is a strong asset for this role. As our Executive Chef, you will design and shape a menu rich in variety, with the creative freedom to put your own stamp on it. We’re looking for a culinary leader who can build dishes with care, lead a kitchen team to execute them with precision, and present every plate beautifully.

What working here is actually like

At Aviva, we trust our leaders to lead. You will have real autonomy to make decisions in your kitchen, from the menu to the schedule to the feel of every dinner service. We want a chef who is creative, proactive, and driven by goals, someone who sees a chance to delight residents and acts on it without waiting for permission or a to do list. Seasonal menus, themed dinners, special events, and the small touches that make a resident’s evening are yours to imagine and create. We also need a true team player with a flexible schedule, ready to pitch in wherever your team needs you.

This is onsite in Port St Lucie, FL.

Compensation and benefits

Competitive base pay plus a community performance bonus program. We offer a 401k match, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and good PTO.

Next step

Apply online and send your resume. Our team will reach out to set up some time to discuss your credentials.

Aviva Senior Living is designated a Great Place to Work and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.