What are the responsibilities and job description for the Task Force Director of Operations - Culinary position at Key West Collection?
Property Description
Discover a unique opportunity to be part of the rich history of Key West at the Key West Historic Inns Collection. Formerly known as Kimpton Key West, our historic collection boasts 219 guestrooms across Winslow’s Bungalows, Lighthouse Hotel, Ridley House, Ella’s Cottages, and Fitch Lodge. These buildings, originally homes for army officers, industrialists, and steamboat captains, reflect architectural styles from Conch to Queen Anne. Built when Key West was Florida's largest city in 1900, each structure holds captivating stories of gold discoveries and vaudeville performances. Join us and become a part of a team that embraces the vibrant past while offering unparalleled hospitality. Explore our property history at www.keywesthistoricinns.com for more information.
Overview
We are seeking a hands on and highly engaged operations leader with a strong culinary background to support our Key West Historic Inns collection as a Task Force Director of Operations. This role plays a vital part in stabilizing and elevating our culinary operations while also supporting consistent service delivery across all departments as we navigate transitions.
The ideal leader thrives in the kitchen, understands full service hotel operations, and can confidently lead cooks, build menus, control food costs, and uphold consistent food quality. This individual also brings broad hotel operations experience, a collaborative approach, and the ability to partner closely with department heads to strengthen performance across rooms, housekeeping, food and beverage, engineering, and guest services.
This position requires daily engagement with the teams, hands on support, and a genuine commitment to guest service, safety, and operational excellence. It is a unique opportunity to make an immediate impact within a historic collection of boutique hotels while working alongside a leadership team that values integrity, teamwork, and excellence.
Responsibilities
• Oversee daily culinary operations across all Key West Historic Inns kitchens and outlets.• Create, update, and standardize menus that align with property needs, cost goals, and brand expectations.• Ensure accurate recipe development, plating standards, and portion control across all outlets.• Train cooks and culinary team members on food preparation, quality standards, safety practices, and station organization.• Support the Executive Chef and F&B leaders with scheduling, labor management, and kitchen productivity.• Monitor food cost, waste, ordering, and inventory to remain within budgeted targets.• Maintain consistent execution during service periods and provide hands on support when needed.• Conduct daily kitchen walkthroughs to ensure cleanliness, equipment functionality, and adherence to food safety guidelines.• Lead BOH prep planning for banquets, special events, and peak periods.• Partner with leaders to onboard and train new culinary staff and help stabilize staffing levels.• Review guest feedback related to food quality and partner with cooks and chefs on improvement opportunities.• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ServSafe, health codes, and all Davidson culinary and safety standards.• Collaborate with the F&B Manager and Executive Chef to support smooth communication between kitchen and front of house.• Uphold a positive, respectful, and team focused kitchen culture.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or four years of hotel management experience in a full-service operation, rooms division, or related discipline.• Proven success leading multi department hotel operations.• Strong time management, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to adapt quickly.• Ability to lead teams in accordance with federal, state, and Florida Innkeeper laws.• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with guests, team members, and stakeholders.• Prior cash handling and internal controls experience required.• Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
Benefits
Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company overseeing hotels, restaurants, dining and entertainment venues across the US. A trusted partner and preferred operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Marriott, and Margaritaville, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners’ mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value, Davidson is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group.
In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value to its owners and team members, Davidson offers a rich benefit program with a variety of benefits designed to enrich the lives and well-being of our team members and their families.
- Multiple Tiers of Medical Coverage
- Dental & Vision Coverage
- 24/7 Teledoc service
- Free Maintenance Medications
- Pet Insurance
- Hotel Discounts
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement, and Holidays).
- 401K Match
Working at Davidson is like nowhere else. It’s less of a job, more of a calling. It’s part career, part revolution. Because whatever you do here, you play a part in helping redefine the way quality hospitality is delivered to our guests, our clients, our partners, and each other.EOE AA- Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual OrientationDavidson Hospitality is a drug free workplace. Pre-employment drug test and background check required. We participate in E-Verify.
