Executive Sous Chef – Culinary Operations & Excellence Leader at Kimpton Sevn Dubai (Pre-Opening) at IHG Career — Dubai, UAE | Base Career | Base Career
At Kimpton Sevn Dubai , we are seeking an Executive Sous Chef to support and elevate culinary operations within one of Dubai's most anticipated lifestyle hospitality destinations. This role is designed for a highly driven, creative, and operationally disciplined culinary leader who understands that exceptional dining experiences are built on strong leadership, flawless execution, innovation, and team collaboration—ensuring every restaurant, bar, event, and in-room dining experience consistently exceeds guest expectations. One Hotel. A Bold Culinary Vision. One Extraordinary Standard of Excellence. This is more than a traditional Executive Sous Chef role. Kimpton Sevn Dubai is being created as a vibrant lifestyle destination where authentic hospitality, bold personalities, and exceptional food experiences come together. Every outlet will have its own distinctive identity, yet all will share one commitment to culinary excellence. You will play a critical role in bringing the culinary vision to life—supporting kitchen operations, developing talent, driving consistency, and ensuring every guest experience reflects the creativity and energy of the Kimpton brand. Why This Role Matters Great kitchens are built on exceptional leadership. As Executive Sous Chef, you will oversee day-to-day culinary operations while supporting the Cluster Director of Culinary in delivering operational excellence, team development, menu execution, and guest satisfaction. You will serve as a key leader for the culinary team, ensuring standards are consistently maintained while fostering an environment of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is a unique opportunity to shape the culinary culture of a landmark pre-opening hotel while building a high-performing team from the ground up. Be the Operational Force Behind Culinary Excellence You will work closely with the Cluster Director of Culinary while leading kitchen teams across restaurants, bars, banquets, events, and in-room dining operations. From daily service execution and colleague development to menu implementation and operational readiness, you will help create culinary experiences that become defining moments for guests. What We'll Support You to Do
Support Pre-Opening Success: Help establish systems, standards, and a culture of excellence from day one The Gig Reporting to the Cluster Director of Culinary, the Executive Sous Chef will support all culinary operations at Kimpton Sevn Dubai.
The Opportunity: Help shape the culinary identity of one of Dubai's most exciting lifestyle hospitality openings
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The Strategy: Deliver operational excellence, culinary consistency, and innovative guest experiences across all dining venues
The Impact: Create memorable dining experiences while building a strong culinary culture and high-performing kitchen operation You will be accountable for kitchen leadership, culinary standards, operational efficiency, food quality, colleague development, and guest satisfaction throughout the hotel. Stay Human At Kimpton, hospitality is personal. This role is about passion, leadership, and creating meaningful experiences—both for guests and for the culinary teams who bring those experiences to life every day. Your Day-to-Day No two days are the same; your responsibilities will span a range of operational, creative, and leadership activities, including but not limited to: Culinary Leadership & Standards
Support the execution of the hotel's culinary vision and operational strategy
Ensure all food is prepared and presented to the highest quality standards
Maintain consistency across all outlets and culinary experiences
Uphold Kimpton and IHG brand standards at all times Operational Excellence
Oversee daily kitchen operations across restaurants, bars, banquets, events, and IRD
Ensure efficient service execution during all meal periods
Monitor food quality, portion control, and production standards
Drive continuous improvement in kitchen processes and workflow efficiency Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and inspire culinary colleagues across all kitchen areas
Foster a culture of accountability, creativity, and teamwork
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives
Develop future culinary leaders through mentorship and coaching Pre-Opening Culinary Excellence
Support recruitment and development of the pre-opening culinary brigade
Assist with kitchen setup, operational readiness, and equipment commissioning
Implement SOPs, recipes, standards, and training programs
Participate in trial operations, tastings, and opening readiness exercises Menu Execution & Guest Experience
Ensure menus are executed consistently and in line with culinary expectations
Collaborate on menu development, promotions, and seasonal offerings
Support VIP events, special functions, and unique guest experiences
Continuously seek opportunities to elevate guest satisfaction Financial & Operational Control
Support management of food costs, labor costs, and departmental expenses
Minimize waste while maximizing operational efficiency
Assist with inventory management, purchasing controls, and stock monitoring
Contribute to achieving departmental financial goals Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Restaurants & Bars, Banquets, Events, Purchasing, and Stewarding teams
Support operational planning and business initiatives
Collaborate with hotel leadership on guest experience enhancement
Contribute to a culture of innovation and operational excellence What Success Looks Like
Consistently exceptional food quality and culinary execution
Successful pre-opening and launch of Kimpton Sevn Dubai's culinary operations
Strong, engaged, and highly motivated culinary teams
Effective cost management and operational efficiency
Positive guest feedback and strong culinary reputation Who This Role Is Perfect For
A passionate and experienced culinary leader ready for a major pre-opening opportunity
Experienced in luxury hotels, lifestyle hospitality, or high-volume restaurant operations
Strong in kitchen leadership, operations, and colleague development
Passionate about creating memorable dining experiences
Energized by fast-paced environments and opening new concepts What We Need From You Ideally, you bring some (or all) of the following qualifications and experience: Education
Diploma or Degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field preferred Experience
8–12 years of progressive culinary leadership experience within luxury hotels or premium hospitality environments
Previous Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef experience preferred
Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, quality assurance, and kitchen operations Personal Attributes
Passionate about culinary excellence and guest satisfaction
Strong leadership and people development capabilities
Highly organized and operationally disciplined
Creative, innovative, and quality-focused
Calm under pressure and solution-oriented
Collaborative and committed to team success
Driven to build a world-class culinary culture from the ground up What You Can Expect from Us At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, we believe our success begins with our people. We invest in you through competitive compensation, global travel privileges, and meaningful career growth opportunities within one of the world’s most respected hospitality groups. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing fair and inclusive employment opportunities to all colleagues and applicants, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Through our myWellbeing framework, we actively support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our teams—because when our people are supported and thriving, they create exceptional experiences for our guests and each other Kimpton Sevn Dubai: A Culture of Connection, Craft & Care At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, you are not simply joining a team—you are becoming part of a culture that is personal, thoughtful, and distinctly human. We are a close-knit, collaborative community where trust is earned, individuality is valued, and excellence is shaped through genuine care for people and experience. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our culture and inspire creativity. We seek individuals who are naturally intuitive, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating memorable moments that feel both effortless and meaningful. At Kimpton, hospitality is bold yet refined, expressive yet intentional. More than a place to stay, we create spaces where guests feel connected, inspired, and truly welcomed—and where our teams feel empowered to bring their personality, creativity, and craftsmanship to everything they do. Ready to Shape Something Distinctive? If you do not meet every requirement but believe you bring the right energy, creativity, and passion for people, we would still love to hear from you. Join Kimpton Sevn Dubai and be part of shaping a luxury lifestyle experience where individuality is celebrated, ideas are valued, and every detail contributes to something memorable. About Company Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants crafts unique destinations that kindle heartfelt human connections. Our bespoke spaces blend spirit, style and delight to create an addictive culture of refined irreverence where locals, visitors & colleagues seamlessly connect. Company At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?
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