Company description

Aptly named for its hilltop perch overlooking Los Alamos, Skyview is an iconic mid-century motel (circa 1959) turned modern-day oasis by Nomada Hotel Group. The five-acre outpost features 33 stylish guest rooms; a farm-to-table restaurant + poolside bar called Norman; a postcard-worthy adults-only pool; and a working vineyard that produces the house rosé.

Job description

Norman, the signature restaurant at Skyview Los Alamos, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Executive Chef to lead our culinary program. Norman is an ingredient-forward restaurant rooted in comfort, simplicity, and thoughtful execution, serving hotel guests and the local community alongside special events and seasonal programming.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for the full scope of back-of-house operations, menu development, and team management, with direct collaboration across hotel operations, events, and Nomada Hospitality leadership.

The Role

The Executive Chef oversees all BOH operations for Norman, including dinner service, room service, hotel continental breakfast, special events, and holiday programming. The role balances creative leadership with strong operational and financial discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead menu development and ongoing refinement of the Norman culinary program, emphasizing seasonal and local sourcing

• Oversee all BOH staffing: hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance management

• Manage food and labor costs, menu costing, ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards

• Maintain BOH equipment, spaces, and cleanliness standards

• Collaborate with FOH leadership on service execution and staff training

• Partner with the Events Manager on menus and execution for on-site and off-site events

• Prepare for and participate in weekly management and monthly financial meetings

• Maintain accurate BOH documentation including recipes, prep lists, costing, and order guides

The Executive Chef reports directly to the General Manager and works closely with Nomada Hospitality’s Operations leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Culinary Leadership experience, preferably in boutique hotels, chef-driven restaurants, or special-events environments

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams with a collaborative management style

• Strong administrative and financial skills (menu costing, inventory, Google Workspace, Excel)

• Deep understanding of California food safety and labor standards (Must have Manager Food Handler certification)

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment, including weekends and holidays

Compensation

• Salary range: $90,000–$110,000

• Performance-based bonuses

• Health Benefits

• Relocation assistance available, if needed

Factors in determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business needs. The salary referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary that Skyview reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a kitchen environment with heat, steam, and cold exposure

About Norman

Norman is the signature restaurant at Skyview Los Alamos, a boutique hotel set on a hillside overlooking the Santa Ynez Valley in Los Alamos, California. Rooted in a sense of place, Norman is guided by a simple philosophy: cook honest food, source thoughtfully, and create an experience that feels warm, grounded, and intentional.

The food at Norman is ingredient-forward and seasonal, drawing from local farms, ranches, and purveyors whenever possible. The menu is designed to feel nostalgic and refined—comfort-driven dishes with a modern, California sensibility. Simplicity, restraint, and consistency matter as much as creativity.

Norman serves as both a destination restaurant for the local community and the culinary heart of the hotel. The Executive Chef oversees daily service at Norman, hotel room service, continental breakfast, special events, and holiday programming. Collaboration across departments- front of house, events, hotel operations, and leadership, is essential to the success of the role.

Skyview Los Alamos is part of Nomada Hotel Group, a design-forward hospitality group known for creating soulful, experience-led properties that value craftsmanship, people, and the arts. Since reopening, Skyview has received meaningful national and regional press attention for its architecture, design, and hospitality-driven approach, establishing it as a destination property on California’s Central Coast. We want Norman to become a larger part of Skyview’s appeal. We believe great restaurants are built on strong teams, clear systems, and leaders who care deeply about both food and people.

This role is well-suited for a chef who values creative collaboration paired with operational discipline; someone who enjoys building culture, mentoring teams, and contributing to a broader hospitality vision while still being deeply connected to the day-to-day rhythms of the kitchen.

A Note from Nomada

Norman is a very special place to us. We are looking for a chef who understands that leadership in the kitchen goes beyond the plate. We value chefs who are collaborative, grounded, and invested in building something sustainable and enduring.

At Nomada Hospitality, we believe hospitality is a craft. We care deeply about design, food, and service, but equally about how teams work together behind the scenes. The right Executive Chef at Norman will have meaningful creative input, strong operational support, and a real voice at the table.

If you are excited by the idea of leading a thoughtful, ingredient-driven restaurant within a boutique hotel —and contributing to a growing, values-led hospitality group—we would love to connect.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, more than $100,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline