VICE PRESIDENT CULINARY – AIRPORT LOUNGES

Job Overview: Vice President Culinary – Airport Lounges

Flik Hospitality Group, a premier member of the Compass Group, is seeking a high-caliber Vice President of Culinary to spearhead the food programs for their prestigious United Airlines lounge contract. This executive leadership role is responsible for the strategic implementation, maintenance, and innovation of culinary operations across multiple high-volume airport locations.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader capable of balancing “white-glove” hospitality standards with the complex logistics of airport retail, production, and purchasing.

Key Responsibilities & Strategic Oversight

Culinary Strategy & Execution

• Program Implementation: Oversee all food-related programs—including retail and production—ensuring they align with both United Airlines’ brand standards and Flik’s culinary philosophy.

• Consistency & Quality: Develop and deploy training programs to ensure high-quality, consistent food delivery across a multi-unit regional footprint.

• New Openings: Act as the culinary lead for the launch of new lounge operations, from kitchen design flow to menu rollout.

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Fiscal Stewardship: Manage the regional culinary budget with strict accountability, ensuring profitability while maintaining premium service levels.

• Team Development: Build and mentor a high-performing Culinary Support Team (Area Chefs) to drive excellence at the unit level.

• Compliance & Reporting: Ensure all operations meet corporate and regulatory standards (including Serv-Safe). Complete detailed operational reports on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Client Relations: Serve as a key point of contact for the United Airlines contract, translating client needs into actionable operational plans.

• Customer Satisfaction: Develop and communicate data-driven strategies to continuously improve the guest dining experience.

Qualifications & Requirements

Professional Profile

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive food service management, with at least 2 years in a multi-unit setting.

• Education: Culinary Arts degree or BS Degree preferred. Alternatively, 7 years of high-level management experience may be substituted.

• Certification: Active Serv-Safe Certification is required.

Core Competencies

• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Office and proprietary hospitality software (e.g., MyCompass, Webtrition).

• Leadership Style: A collaborative, “hands-on” team player who can function effectively with multi-level supervision.

• Physical Stamina: Ability to travel 50% of the time and lift up to 50 lbs when necessary.

• Salary Range: $175,000 – $185,000 per year.

• Additional Pay: Eligible for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability insurance starting from hire.

• Future Security: Retirement plan (401k) and identity theft protection.

• Family Support: Paid Parental Leave and Personal Leave
  

  The Organization & Culture Compass Group is the world’s largest contract foodservice and support services company. In New York City, it operates as a sophisticated powerhouse, managing the dining and hospitality infrastructure for Fortune 500 corporations, prestigious universities, and major healthcare systems. In 2026, the culture is defined by “Our Planet Promise,” a massive sustainability pivot that integrates climate action with human health. Employees work within a decentralized model, meaning the “vibe” often depends on the specific brand (e.g., Restaurant Associates, FLIK, or Levy). While the corporate offices emphasize high-level strategy and “Systems Thinking,” the frontline culture is fast-paced, high-standard, and increasingly tech-reliant, utilizing AI for waste reduction and digital guest engagement.

  The Locations Compass Group maintains a significant footprint across Manhattan and the outer boroughs, often embedded directly within client sites.

  • Corporate Headquarters (Regional): Located at 110 Fifth Avenue (Flatiron District), this serves as a central hub for executive, administrative, and technology functions.

  • Midtown Office: Located at 10 East 53rd Street, focusing on premium business and industry (B&I) accounts.

  • Flagship Client Sites: In 2026, Compass manages high-profile “on-premises” dining for tech giants and financial institutions across Hudson Yards and the Financial District, as well as major cultural venues like The Met and Lincoln Center through its specialty brands.