Executive Chef

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

Come work and play in the mountains! Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free Epic pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

Job Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons

• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Excellent training and professional development

• Referral Program

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)

• Free ski passes for dependents

• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Job Summary:

Service is the foundation of everything we stand for at Vail Resorts and our Executive Chefs are no exception to this experience of a lifetime. This role is an Executive Chef of upscale steakhouse restaurant and world class resort golf courses. Responsible for daily operations of back of the house of the restaurant, including budget, ordering and receiving, overseeing and training kitchen staff, administrative responsibilities and maintaining high restaurant ratings.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $58,859.00 - $85,000.00 + annual bonus

• Employment Type: Year Round

• Shift Type: Full Time

• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age

• Housing Availability: Yes

Job Responsibilities:

• Growing business.

• Achieve or exceed budgeted food, labor, and operating expense margins.

• Creates new, trending, innovative, and cost-effective menus for each season as well as special functions.

• Staying current on food trends, ability to adapt to change.

• Maintaining reputation of restaurant as well as high reviews and ratings.

• Follow Keystone Conference Service banquet guidelines.

• Working with conference services managers on event functions and weddings.

• Oversees summer breakfast and lunch menus for both Ranch and River Course to ensure quality and consistency between the two outlets.

• Responsible for scheduling, staffing, and controlling food and labor costs, while providing the experience of a lifetime to our guests and employees.

• Create a positive team atmosphere with emphasis on learning, instruction, and education of staff to our standards and those of the CMC Culinary Program.

• Culinary Program - teach, assist, and coach culinary students in their pursuit of a degree. Previous teaching experience preferred. This program works closely with our local culinary program and will require teaching, mentoring, and grading of projects and skill sets.

• Create a team atmosphere and lead by positive example encompassing the Vail Resorts Core Values.

• Follow Vail Resorts Brand Standards.

• Follows and enforces company guidelines and policies.

• Maintain serve safe certification and records for culinary employees making sure all are current in their training.

• Proactively assesses property and culinary equipment and maintenance needs. Works with maintenance and management to keep operation in good standing.

• As needed, works with marketing to increase outlet capture and market share. May require travel, media coverage, and demonstration of culinary talents.

• Maintaining exemplary cleanliness and adheres to local and state health department requirements.

• Proficiency in Coupa purchasing system, PeopleSoft and MS Office preferred, or willing and able to learn upon hire.

• Purchasing and receiving.

• Other duties as needed.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of fine dining culinary experience - required

• Minimum of 3 years executive chef management experience - required

• Culinary degree - required

• History of growing revenue in operations - required

• Successful budgeting experience – required

• Strong knowledge of food safety guidelines

• Must be serve safe certified.

• Excellent communication, organizational and teamwork skills

• A flexible schedule including weekends, holidays

• Be able to lift to up to 50lbs in a constant basis.

• Be able to stand for long periods of time of up to six hours

The expected pay range is $58,859.00 - $85,000.00 + annual bonus. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID 518331

Reference Date: 10/15/2026

Job Code Function: Back of House