Vice President Culinary Operations
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field, and a culinary degree or equivalent experience is required.
- At least 10–15 years of experience in high-volume food and beverage operations, including extensive casino or hotel experience; fine dining and casual experience are required.
- Previous department head experience and five years of experience as an Executive Chef in a four-star or five-star establishment with sizeable conference and banqueting facilities are required.
- Experience managing a culinary team of at least 500 employees is required.
- HACCP certification is required.
- Experience managing third-party or licensed food and beverage concepts is required.
- Financial competence, menu engineering expertise, and proficiency in food and beverage software are required.
- The ability to work holidays and weekends, including flexible shifts, is required.
- Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, health, sanitation, and licensing ordinances is required.
- Knowledge of food products, standard recipes, accurate preparation, and kitchen operations is required.
- Expertise using position-related tools, including knives, slicers, and choppers, is required.
- The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, is required.
- The role requires standing for an entire shift, continuously maneuvering throughout casino areas, responding to visual and aural cues, operating a computer and office equipment, and lifting 30 pounds while bending, reaching, and stooping on a limited basis.
- Oversee profit and loss, establish food and beverage budgets, manage costs, and promote revenue growth across all property-wide food and beverage outlets.
- Manage third-party and licensed restaurant relationships, ensuring brand standards and quality consistency while coordinating shared resources and serving as the primary liaison with celebrity chef and brand partners.
- Oversee multiple culinary concepts, manage a large multi-tiered culinary leadership team, and coordinate simultaneous large-scale service across outlets, including the production kitchen and Employee Dining Room.
- Participate in new outlet openings, renovations, and rebrands; contribute to capital expenditure planning and kitchen layout and flow; and collaborate with architecture, design, facilities, human resources, and other departmental leaders.
- Build a culture that enhances cross-property and corporate culinary collaboration.
- Oversee total revenue and budget, labor-cost modeling, and productivity metrics.
- Benchmark food costs across diverse outlet types.
- Review and communicate financial and other reports and support findings with analysis.
- Build weekly forecasts and plan operating staff and cost expenditures to align with forecasted sales and costs.
- Monitor actual sales and revenues, assess variances and goal accomplishments, and adjust strategies and forecasts accordingly.
- Hire talent in accordance with the recruitment process.
- Set expectations, lead, train, manage processes, and mentor executive chefs and culinary staff; ensure top-tier performance, succession planning, and culinary talent pipeline development.
- Manage and maintain positive union and labor relations.
- Lead VIP and high-roller dining experience curation, integrate dining programs with casino marketing and loyalty programs, and manage private dining, chef's table, and exclusive event experiences.
- Coordinate the purchase of food, culinary equipment, and supplies while maintaining appropriate inventory pars.
- Support procurement with vendor contract negotiation and maintain sustainability and sourcing standards.
- Identify opportunities to increase food revenue, decrease kitchen expenses, and improve departmental efficiency without compromising guest satisfaction.
- Develop and preserve accurate inventory records, participate in scheduled inventories, and advise on actions following inventory reports.
- Provide daily and periodic operational reporting in accordance with company and regulatory policies.
- Build and sustain relationships with culinary suppliers.
- Implement and maintain consistently high departmental standards.
- Implement property policies and procedures, including health, food safety, sanitation, and health department code requirements.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality food presentation and accommodate special dietary restrictions appropriately.
- Participate in cooking and plating across food service areas to maintain high-quality food standards.
- Communicate directly and effectively with departments including restaurants, in-room dining, catering, and banquet operations.
- Communicate issues, risks, liability concerns, and other business matters to relevant leadership.
- Conduct pre-shift meetings and review daily business information and goals.
- Maintain visibility during peak operating hours and engage guests during events and service.
- Conduct outlet walk-throughs to build rapport, assess engagement, develop relationships, and promote repeat business.
- Conduct regular staff meetings to communicate programs, implement products and procedures, and discuss opportunities, events, and activities.
- Monitor guest satisfaction scores and review guest feedback with direct reports, ensuring corrective action when needed.
- Provide direction, support, timely feedback, and performance recognition while maintaining a positive employee environment.
- Maintain annual maintenance contracts, conduct supplier due diligence, and ensure contract renewals receive required approvals.
- Establish preventive maintenance programs and ensure equipment is accurately maintained.
- Develop culinary strategies, menus, and concepts aligned with the casino brand.
- Research and introduce dining trends, technologies, and menu updates to improve the guest experience.
- Previous upscale or luxury hotel experience and Las Vegas or comparable major-market experience are preferred.
- Experience with new property openings is preferred.
About the company
Hard Rock operates a global hospitality and entertainment brand that runs restaurants, hotels, and casinos with a rock-and-roll theme. The core experience blends American-style dining with a live music atmosphere and a curated collection of music memorabilia, which started organically from a customer’s guitar request and grew into the brand’s hallmark. The business model spans multiple hospitality verticals, including themed cafes, hotels, and casino gaming venues, all unified under the Hard Rock brand. Unlike many competitors, Hard Rock is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which acquired the brand in 2007, enabling strategic expansion in gaming and hospitality across the world. The company’s goal is to deliver immersive entertainment-centered experiences through consistent branding, hospitality, and iconic memorabilia across its global network.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Founded
1971
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Tampa's 2026 smoke-free renovation expands premium gaming and keeps operations open.
- San Juan's 2026-2029 $850 million integrated resort adds 186 branded residences.
- Fitch affirmed Seminole Hard Rock International's BBB rating in July 2026, supporting financing access.
What critics are saying
- Hard Rock Bet faces litigation in Illinois over promised bonuses and platform conduct.
- Jeanne O'Grady sued Seminole Tribe in September 2026 over Hollywood casino-floor injuries.
- Las Vegas's $4 billion-$5 billion rebuild needs 6,000 employees before a late-2027 opening.
What makes Seminole Hard Rock unique
- Seminole Tribe ownership gives Hard Rock casino scale, capital, and regulatory leverage.
- Hard Rock Las Vegas topped out in May 2026, validating destination-brand expansion.
- Hollywood and Tampa keep launching concerts, jackpots, and renovations across Florida casinos.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 17%1 year growth
↑ 17%2 year growth
↑ 21%Hard Rock International has been named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas. This is the third time the company has received this honour, which recognises outstanding performance across its properties. The award follows Hard Rock's opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, its first fully integrated resort in Canada, and completion of Phase One at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in California. A panel of 100 senior industry executives determined the winners, with KPMG US independently adjudicating the voting process. Hard Rock was also runner-up for Responsible Business of the Year and Property of the Year for its Tejon casino.
Hard Rock International wins Land-Based Operator of the Year at 2026 Global Gaming Awards. HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Hard Rock International was recognized as the Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas yesterday. One of the gaming industry's most respected honors, this marks the third time Hard Rock International has received the award, which recognizes the top-performing land-based casino operator for outstanding performance across its properties over the past year. All award winners were determined by a panel of 100 senior industry executives, and the voting process was independently adjudicated by KPMG US. Judges underscored Hard Rock's exceptional growth and operational excellence over the past 12 months. Highlights included the successful opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, Hard Rock's first fully integrated resort in Canada, and continued progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, which completed Phase One of development in Kern County, California, in November 2025. Looking ahead, Hard Rock continues to advance several transformative projects, including the iconic Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas featuring a new 42-story guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens, the company's landmark integrated resort development in one of Europe's premier gateway cities; and Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park in Queens, New York, in partnership with Steve Cohen. "We're honored to once again be recognized by the Global Gaming Awards Americas. This recognition demonstrates how Hard Rock has built an unmatched gaming experience rooted in 55 years of music heritage and motivates us to keep raising the bar for our valued guests around the world," said Jeff Hook, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International. Hard Rock International was runner-up in two Global Gaming Awards categories: Responsible Business of the Year, recognizing the scale of Hard Rock's responsible gaming and social impact work; and Property of the Year for Hard Rock Casino Tejon, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, which opened last fall and features 150,000 square feet of gaming space just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. The company also was shortlisted for awards in categories including Digital Operator for Hard Rock Bet and Customer Loyalty Program for Unity(TM) by Hard Rock, reflecting the breadth of the company's gaming operations. About Hard Rock(R) Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in nearly 80 countries spanning more than 300 venues including owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops(R), Live Performance Locations and Cafes. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia with more than 89,000 pieces displayed at locations around the globe. The Unity(TM) by Hard Rock global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties. In addition, Hard Rock Digital spotlights the sports betting and iGaming experience with products remixed in the spirit of Hard Rock for players worldwide. HRI has received numerous industry, destination and workplace awards across the travel, hospitality, gaming, entertainment and food & beverage sectors. HRI currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB), Moody's Investors Service (Baa2), and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com. SOURCE Hard Rock International
Hard Rock Casino Tejon names Mike Bean as Property President. Sep 28, 2026, 10:00 ET Veteran tribal gaming executive brings decades of leadership experience to the Tejon Indian Tribe's property METTLER, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock Casino Tejon today announced the appointment of Mike Bean as Property President. Bean joins Hard Rock Casino Tejon following his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and will officially assume his new role on October 5. Bean brings more than 30 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry, with much of his career spent in leadership roles within tribal gaming enterprises. His experience includes serving as Chief Executive Officer of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment in Arizona, along with senior leadership roles at several major gaming and resort organizations. "On behalf of the Tejon Indian Tribe, we are proud to welcome Mike Bean to Hard Rock Casino Tejon," said Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe. "Mike understands tribal gaming and the responsibility that comes with leading an enterprise that supports a Tribal Nation and its future. He has built a reputation for developing strong teams, delivering operational excellence and creating exceptional experiences for guests and team members alike. We have accomplished a great deal in a short period of time, and with continued growth and new developments on the horizon, we are confident Mike is the right leader to guide our property into its next chapter." "Mike's proven track record and deep experience in tribal gaming make him an outstanding fit for Hard Rock Casino Tejon. We're excited to welcome him to the Hard Rock family and look forward to working alongside him and the Tejon Indian Tribe as the property continues to grow," said Jeff Hook, COO of Hard Rock International. Bean succeeds Chris Kelley, who guided the property through its opening and successful first year of operations. "We thank Chris for his leadership and dedication during an important period in our history, and we wish him continued success," said Chairman Escobedo. During his first early weeks, Bean will focus on meeting team members, learning the operation and immersing himself in the culture that has driven the property's early success. About Hard Rock Casino Tejon Since its opening, Hard Rock Casino Tejon has positioned itself as a premier entertainment destination along the I-5 corridor, just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. The property features 150,000 square feet of gaming space, 2,100 slot machines, over 60 table games, and multiple dining destinations, including the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, The Marketplace, Deep Cut Steak | Seafood and YouYu. The entertainment venue is located less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield, on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, situated at the southernmost tip of California's Southern San Joaquin Valley and nestled near the base of the historic Grapevine Mountain Pass that connects Southern California to the Central Valley. This region of the San Joaquin Valley is home to one of the most productive agricultural counties in the country and is the center point of the state with access to the Central Coast and both Northern and Southern California within a couple hours' drive. About Hard Rock(R) Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in nearly 80 countries spanning more than 300 venues including owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops(R), Live Performance Locations and Cafes. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia with more than 89,000 pieces displayed at locations around the globe. The Unity(TM) by Hard Rock global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties. In addition, Hard Rock Digital spotlights the sports betting and iGaming experience with products remixed in the spirit of Hard Rock for players worldwide. HRI has received numerous industry, destination and workplace awards across the travel, hospitality, gaming, entertainment and food & beverage sectors. HRI currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB), Moody's Investors Service (Baa2), and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com. SOURCE Hard Rock International
Jamul Casino Resort names Chris Kelley as first CEO. September 25, 2026 JAMUL, CA - Jamul Casino Resort has appointed Chris Kelley as its first CEO, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across the hospitality, gaming and entertainment industries. Kelley joins Jamul Casino Resort following his role as President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, where he led the opening of the largest private hospitality investment in Kern County history. His experience includes leading gaming properties through openings, operational growth and strategic development. Prior to Hard Rock, Kelley served as President & COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, overseeing operations at MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA, and Empire City in Yonkers, NY. He also held senior leadership roles with MGM Resorts, including President & COO of MGM Northfield Park and CFO of MGM Detroit. Kelley began his career in San Diego, where he held several leadership positions at Viejas Casino & Resort, including CFO and General Manager. "What impressed us is that throughout his career, Chris built a reputation as a strategic thinker and results-oriented leader," said Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation. "We're grateful his homecoming to San Diego is to use his considerable skills and experience to help continue the legacy of Jamul Casino Resort's success." As CEO, Kelley will oversee operations and strategic growth at Jamul Casino Resort and work with the Board of the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation to develop economic and tribal interests beyond the existing enterprise.
Hard Rock is bringing 186 branded residences to San Juan. Here is what it actually changes. September 25, 2026 Hard Rock International announced an $850 million hotel, casino and residence project for San Juan in February 2026. Construction was scheduled to begin during 2026 and the property is slated to open in 2029. Seven months on, it has been covered almost entirely as a casino story and barely at all as a real estate one, which is where it matters most. Most of the coverage will be about the casino. For anyone buying or already owning property in San Juan, the number that matters is a different one: 186 branded residences. What was announced. * Investment: $850 million * Hotel: 415 guest rooms and 58 suites * Residences: 186 branded residences * Casino: the developers describe it as Puerto Rico's first integrated casino * Amenities: Rock Spa, fitness center, three terrace-level pools, multiple restaurants and bars, event venues, a recording studio, kids' club, arcade and teen spaces * Location: San Juan, between San Juan Bay and the Atlantic * Timeline: announced February 2026, construction during 2026, opening 2029 * Team: Hard Rock International with Misla Hospitality, Stonecrest Investment Management and The Interfin Companies; architecture by Klai Juba Wald and CMA Architects * Employment: more than 2,500 construction jobs and roughly 1,250 permanent positions Governor Jenniffer González-Colón called it an investment that "helps continue positioning Puerto Rico as an ideal destination in the Caribbean." One detail that has not been formally confirmed and that Investatepr will not state as fact: the exact site. Local reporting points to the former Department of Finance grounds near the cruise port, but Hard Rock's own release says only "San Juan." The official rendering does show a bayfront setting beside the cruise terminals, which is consistent with that reporting. Until an address is confirmed, treat the location as approximate. Why 186 residences is the headline for owners. Puerto Rico's branded residence inventory has been growing for three years, but in small increments. Vanderbilt Residences added 66 units to Condado. The ICON added 32. Ocean Five added five. The Grove, eight. Hard Rock adds 186 in a single project - more than those four combined. That matters for three reasons. 1. Supply arrives all at once, in 2029. A building delivers its units in months, not years. Anyone planning to sell a branded or near-luxury residence in San Juan around that window will be competing with a large block of brand-new inventory carrying a global name. That is not a reason to panic; it is a reason to know your timeline. 2. It expands the buyer pool. A Hard Rock in San Juan brings a category of buyer who was not shopping Puerto Rico before: the entertainment-and-gaming buyer who already owns in Las Vegas, Miami or Punta Cana and buys by brand. Those buyers rarely stop at one building. They arrive for the brand and then look at what else the market has, which historically lifts interest in the whole corridor. 3. It changes what "amenities" means locally. When a competing property offers a spa, a recording studio and three pools, the bar moves for everyone. Buildings that cannot match it compete on something else - location, privacy, space, views - and the ones that never had a clear answer to "why this building" will feel it first. What it does not change. A press release is not a comparable sale. Nothing has been built, nothing has been priced publicly, and 2029 is three years away. Announced projects in Puerto Rico have been delayed, resized and redesigned before. If you own in Condado, Ocean Park or Old San Juan, your property's value today is still set by the last closed sale near you, not by an announcement. In its Condado 2026 analysis the median asking price is about $1,193 per square foot, with a range from $353 to $2,750. That range is the market. Hard Rock does not move it in 2026. If you are thinking about buying into it. Branded residences are a specific product with specific mechanics, and most of what determines your outcome is decided before you sign. Three questions to ask early, regardless of the brand: 1. What exactly does the brand cover, and for how long? Branding agreements have terms. Ask what happens to the name, the services and the fee if the agreement is not renewed. Investatepr cover this in what branded residences actually are. 2. What is the real carrying cost? HOA, brand or service fee, insurance, and any mandatory participation in a rental programme. Branded properties carry more than standard condominiums, and the difference is not small. See how branded residences are priced. 3. What does resale look like? The brand helps on the way in. On the way out, you are selling within a building where other owners may be listing at the same time, sometimes with developer inventory still unsold. Investatepr wrote about that specifically in resale strategy beyond the name. And if you are buying pre-construction, the questions are different again: deposit protection, delivery dates, finish specifications, and an HOA budget that has never been tested. Its pre-construction guide covers what to verify first. The wider read. Read it alongside what has been announced since: The Legacy in Guaynabo, the first new residential building in that corridor in more than twenty-five years; Ocean Five in Condado, five vertical homes on a private street; both announced this month; and Hard Rock, announced in February at a scale nobody on the island has attempted in this segment. Capital is committing to Puerto Rico residential at every size at once - boutique, urban and resort. Whether that is good news depends entirely on whether you are buying into it or selling next to it. Talk to Investatepr. If you own in San Juan and want to understand what this means for your specific building, or you are evaluating a branded residence anywhere on the island, Investatepr track the closed sales that actually set those prices. Antonio Cartagena, Broker Lic. C-13471 · Lizvette Robles, Lic. 23765 · (787) 717-6443 · San Juan real estate Sources: Hard Rock International press release via PR Newswire, February 5, 2026; hardrock.com; Hotel Dive; CDC Gaming Reports; Casino.org. Project details are as announced by the developer and subject to change. Market information, not an appraisal. Rendering courtesy of Hard Rock International. Puerto Rico condominiums Reading about the buildings is useful. Knowing what closed in them is decisive. Investatepr send you the recent closed sales for the buildings in this article, with price per square foot, plus the HOA, the reserves and the master insurance that decide what a unit really costs to own. Tell Investatepr which building you are looking at. 5.0 on Google · 35 reviews · Broker Lic. C-13471 since 2005 What you get * Closed sales by building, with price per sq ft * HOA, reserves and master insurance before you offer * Units available now, listed and off market