Executive Chef | Gastropub

Executive Chef | Gastropub | Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

Salary: $92,000 – $96,000 per year, plus quarterly performance bonus

A beloved gastropub in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, is looking for an experienced Executive Chef to lead its kitchen. Built on warm hospitality, scratch cooking, and community connection, this concept has earned a loyal following through elevated comfort food and locally sourced ingredients. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned culinary leader to take full creative ownership of a kitchen and leave a lasting mark on a respected dining destination.

What You Will Do

As Executive Chef, you'll oversee all back-of-house operations and serve as the creative and operational anchor of the culinary team. Specifically, you will:

• Develop and execute an elevated gastropub menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Lead daily kitchen operations and stay hands-on during service
• Collaborate with ownership to refine the restaurant's culinary vision
• Establish and maintain recipes, standards, and kitchen procedures
• Recruit, train, and develop a high-performing back-of-house team
• Manage food and labor costs, inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships
• Uphold high standards for food quality, presentation, sanitation, and safety
• Build a positive, accountable kitchen culture rooted in consistency

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate brings both culinary creativity and operational discipline. Specifically, we're looking for someone with:

• A minimum of 3 years of Executive Chef experience in a quality-driven, chef-led environment
• Demonstrated gastropub or scratch-kitchen background
• A stable employment history reflecting commitment and professional growth
• Strong financial acumen, including food and labor cost management
• A systems-oriented approach to leadership, with a focus on consistency and accountability
• Culinary training or equivalent professional experience (preferred)
• Ties to the Manchester-by-the-Sea area or surrounding North Shore community (strongly preferred)

The right fit delivers excellent food consistently, builds a strong team, communicates clearly, and takes ownership of both the guest experience and the business behind it.

What Is On Offer

• Salary of $92,000 – $96,000, depending on experience
• Quarterly performance-based bonus tied to food and labor costs
• Health and dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Significant creative freedom over the culinary direction
• The opportunity to lead and grow with an expanding hospitality group

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume for confidential consideration. This search is being conducted with discretion, and all inquiries will be handled professionally.

Gecko Hospitality in New England is a premier North American recruitment firm. Covering MA, NH, ME, VT, RI, and CT, the branch connects top-tier management and executive talent with leading hospitality organizations.

Led by experienced former hospitality operators, including Franchise Partners Evan Kaplan and Brian Blum, the New England team leverages their firsthand industry knowledge to carefully assess candidates for both operational competency and cultural fit.

Key Focus Areas:

Target Sectors: Restaurants (quick service to fine dining), hotels, resorts, private clubs, casinos, catering, and corporate dining.
Roles Placed: Executive and senior leadership, including General Managers, Executive Chefs, Directors of Operations, and C-suite executives.
Core Services: Executive search, talent strategy, organizational design, and leadership pipeline development.

Operating exclusively within the hospitality niche, the firm provides customized, relationship-driven recruitment solutions that accelerate business performance and advance professional careers.