Executive Chef | Jungle Island - Oak View Group

Oak View Group:

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry.  Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

 

More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

Overview:

The Executive Chef has the primary duty of managing the culinary team, a recognized department of venue’s F&B operation.  The Executive Chef will actively supervisor, coach, counsel, direct, train and mentor employees in meeting company qualify standards, and will independently initiate and authorize all employment actions such as hiring, termination, suspension, discipline, promotion and transfer.  The Executive Chef will actively and independently manage all aspects of employee relations to ensure a positive, harmonious, compliant and cooperative work environment.

 

The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing the direction of the kitchen’s daily activities in accordance with Oak View Group's policies and objectives to ensure guest satisfaction, profitability and a positive, productive and compliant work environment.  The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary team including event planning support, scheduling, food preparation and production, food cost control, compliance with food safety and sanitation policies, cleaning, kitchen safety, employee training and supervision, and any other tasks assigned by the F&B Director.  The Executive Chef must provide a high level of oversight, culinary proficiency and operational/personnel support to ensure the smooth running all food outlets and events.  

 

This is a key position for the effective and profitable operation of the business. The Executive Chef must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule which to evenings and weekends.  Open availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills and self-direction required.   

 

 

This role will pay a salary of $85,000 to $95,000.

 

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)

 

Job expires 9/30/2024

About the Venue:

Jungle Island, a favorite South Florida landmark, is an intimate zoological park located in the heart of Miami, between downtown Miami and South Beach.

Building upon a rich tradition that began in 1936, Jungle Island is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exotic animals. Park guests enjoy engaging animal shows and informative exhibits while strolling by streams and waterfalls under a lush canopy of tropical trees. Guests can choose to participate in hands-on interactions with fascinating animals or go on guided behind-the-scenes VIP tours. Jungle Island enriches the lives of park visitors through immersive, real-life jungle experiences centered on adventure, animals, discovery and play. With its newly renovated Treetop Ballroom and picturesque outdoor spaces including a private beach, the 18-acre park also serves as Miami’s destination for extraordinary events. Discover Jungle Island today.

Jungle Island: A South Florida Tradition for 80 Years

Jungle Island, Miami’s premier entertainment destination, combines the beauty of Miami’s tropical landscape with a jungle full of extraordinary animals from around the globe. Building upon its rich 80-year history, today’s Jungle Island is a contemporary theme park, featuring extremely rare twin orangutans and over 300 vibrant birds, including the world’s only trained Cassowary .

Jungle Island began its history in 1936 as Parrot Jungle. Created by Franz Scherr with the idea of an attraction where birds could “fly free,” Parrot Jungle was originally located in south Miami and was known primarily its wide array of exotic birds including Pinky, the high-wire bicycle riding cockatoo, and our world-famous pink flamingos who have been prominently featured in the opening credits of television’s Miami Vice.

The park has evolved over the years under the direction of its current owners who purchased the park in 1988. After Hurricane Andrew, the owners set their sights on continuing to develop the park on Watson Island. After construction was completed in 2003, the Watson Island location opened for business as Parrot Jungle Island.

The evolution of the Jungle has led to the renaming of the park as Jungle Island to better encompass the wide variety of animals, plants and activities available.

Jungle Island lives up to its name with unusual flora, from the extraordinary African sausage tree to a collection of rare cycads. Visitors to Jungle Island can stroll along the 1.35 miles of winding, covered trails while enjoying the many special exhibits, attractions and tours that are available. As Miami’s brightest and most unique destination, Jungle Island continues to delight the thousands of people who visit Miami each year.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for managing, developing and mentoring staff of 35 full-time and part time culinary employees, including initiating employment actions such as hiring, firing, and disciplining.
• Ensures event staff are aware of work place expectations; provide on-going assistance, training and mentoring to event staff; promote a positive, enthusiastic and cooperative workplace environment by working side-by-side with staff; reinforce procedures and practices through repetition; lead by example and provide on-going constructive feedback.
• Responsible for ensuring that budgeted food percentages are achieved through effective control measures including portion controls, kitchen timings, food inventory rotation measures, receiving and food storage procedures, inventory controls, effective purchasing procedures, kitchen security procedures and waste control.  
• Controls labor costs through effective scheduling of kitchen staff, cross-training and development of employees; responsible for monitoring breaks and break documentation for kitchen staff and the daily approval of break documentation.
• Ensures that the purchasing and preparation of all food products meet Oak View Group’s standards of quality and consistency.  Responsible for the development of menus, ensuring quality, consistency and style of concept are maintained.  Monitors production of food preparation ensuring recipe specifications, portion controls and kitchen timings are met.  Monitors all food served relative to appearance, temperature, sanitary and quality standards.
• Supervises all line set-up, prep and breakdown activities.  Responsible for in-service delegation of tasks to line personnel.
• Coordinates the storage, maintenance and repair of all kitchen equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Coordinates the delivery and set-up of catered services and food service areas as needed.
• Arranges and manages kitchen staff skills training and development, including departmental orientation of new employees. Provides leadership and support to the entire kitchen staff; builds morale and encourages empowerment of staff.  
• Maintains a positive and compliant employee relations climate.  Responsible for staffing, training, evaluation and counseling of kitchen staff.  Promotes support and communication with entire staff.  Positively interacts with front of house staff.  Rapidly solves problems.
• Ensures compliance with health, sanitation, safety and employment regulations by clearly communicating and reinforcing standards and procedures to kitchen staff.
• Ensures proper kitchen record keeping and administrative requirements including food inventories and invoicing of food products.  Responsible for organizing employee work schedules, ensuring appropriate coverage for all kitchen areas, staff compliance with venue uniform policy.
• Promotes teamwork among staff through effective communication, follow through and goal setting.  Leads by example and thorough instruction to effectively obtain quality management of product, service and philosophy of concept.
• Responsible for overseeing the production of Staff meals ensuring that they are on time, healthy and substantial per meal calendar.  

Qualifications:

 

• Minimum of 3-5 years kitchen management experience in a full service restaurant or events venue.
• Demonstrated and verifiable track record of meeting projected costs.
• Professional appearance and presentation required.
• Knowledge of and skill in using computer software, including MS Word/Excel/Outlook.
• Maintains a current Food Handler’s card and alcohol service permit if required by state or local government.
• Working knowledge of employee scheduling in a hospitality environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in a nationally recognized sanitation program.
• Technical proficiency and experience demonstrating verifiable knowledge of food preparation methods.
• Ability to positively interact with diverse personalities, including co-workers, subordinates, guests and purveyors in a variety of work situations.  Must have active listening and effective communication skills.
• Ability to develop results-oriented staff through effective training, evaluation, motivation, coaching and counseling.  Ability to assist others in developing needed skills for effective job performance.
• Ability to positively distribute responsibility to others to meet objectives and achieve desired results.
• Ability to recognize problems and to creatively and expeditiously find solutions.  
• Ability to set priorities and use initiative; solid decision-maker.
• Ability to be detail-oriented, multi-task and effectively prioritize in a continuously changing environment.
• Ability to be self-directed while working in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule; able and willing to work nights, weekends and long hours.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference.:

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

EEO:

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.