Head of Culinary

Title Head of Culinary Location London Department Development Reporting to VP Development Brand Video Time Out Market_Brand Video_MAR2022.mp4 Role Overview The Head of Culinary is a senior, central leadership role responsible for evolving the culinary direction of Time Out Market across its global portfolio. Sitting in the Head Office, the role works across multiple markets, supporting both new and existing markets through structured, data‑led culinary decision‑making. This position blends a deep understanding of global food landscape, operational rigour and commercial acumen. It isn’t just a “talent scout” role alone; success is defined by the ability to assess culinary concepts through an operational and financial lens, and support markets in curating kitchens that are commercially viable, operationally sound and aligned with the Time Out Market brand. The Head of Culinary plays a critical role in managing complex internal and external stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment between culinary ambition, operational realities and business performance. Key Responsibilities Culinary Strategy & Curation Refine the culinary curation strategy for new Time Out Market cities using a data‑led, structured approach to chef and concept selection Identify and evaluate the strongest culinary operators in each city, combining data, desktop research, market insight and brand alignment Support existing markets in re‑curating kitchens, reviewing performance, mix and operational fit Operational & Commercial Oversight Provide operational guidance rooted in hands‑on chef and food operations experience Support the building, review and stress‑testing of unit‑level vendor P&Ls, ensuring concepts are commercially viable Assess operational models to balance quality, throughput, staffing and guest experience Kitchen & BOH Design Work closely with Design & Construction teams to ensure kitchens are: Correctly sized Fit for chosen cuisines Operationally efficient and future‑proofed Ensure back‑of‑house design supports menu execution, ticket times and staffing models Menu Engineering Guide chefs and markets on menu development and optimisation Assess the impact of menu design on: Margins Labour requirements Speed of service Operational complexity Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with Marketing to ensure culinary storytelling, launches and ongoing programming are aligned Collaborate with Operations, Development, Food Curation, Design & Construction, and Media teams at both HQ and market level Act as a central culinary authority, providing clarity and consistency across the estate Stakeholder Management Manage a wide range of stakeholders including: Internal HQ teams Market leadership and GMs External chefs, partners and operators Build trust through credibility, clarity and a collaborative approach Skills & Experience Minimum 10 years’ experience in senior culinary, chef or food operations role Experience working across multiple sites or concepts, ideally in complex or international environments Strong chef and operational background, with real unit‑level experience Proven understanding of P&Ls, margins, cost structures and commercial decision‑making Demonstrated ability to take a data‑led and analytical approach to culinary decisions Deep understanding of kitchen design, BOH operations and cuisine requirements Menu engineering capability with a clear commercial mindset Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills Leadership & Mindset Commercially minded with strong culinary judgement Analytical, structured and comfortable using data to inform decisions Collaborative and pragmatic, able to balance creativity with operational reality Confident operating at both strategic and detailed levels Comfortable working in a central role supporting multiple markets globally What we look for in a candidate Be commercially astute Either have experience at or want to dive headfirst into a fast‑paced transformative company in pursuit of excellence Think globally Have excellent communication and relationship building skills Have a high sense of ownership, urgency and drive About our culture At Time Out Group we believe in diversity and equal opportunity for all people. We do not discriminate against external or internal candidates on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. We believe that diversity develops creativity and enables personal and professional growth where we all learn from each other. We believe in an open culture where ideas are shared candidly and where there is no fear of failure, but rather an understanding that we must experiment and have the freedom to succeed. We believe that everyone has the right to express themselves as they are as this enriches us all. We believe an open world, social justice and the pursuit of happiness, after all we are in the happiness business. About Time Out Group Time Out Group is a global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city. Time Out launched in London in 1968 to help people discover the best of the city – today it is the only global brand dedicated to city life. Expert journalists curate and create content about the best things to do, see and eat across over 350 cities in over 50 countries and across a unique multi‑platform model spanning both digital and physical channels. Time Out Market is the world’s first editorially curated food and cultural market, bringing a city’s best chefs, restaurateurs and unique cultural experiences together under one roof. There are currently markets in eleven cities including Lisbon, New York and Dubai, with several new locations expected to open in 2026 and beyond, in addition to a pipeline of further locations in advanced discussions. Time Out Media’s multiple digital and physical channels span websites, mobile, social media, videos and live events. Across these channels, Time Out distributes its high‑quality content – curated and created by a global team of local experts around the best food, culture, art, music, theatre, travel and entertainment in over 350 cities and over 50 countries. The company provides international, national and local brands and businesses the opportunity to connect with its global reach and strong traffic from a desirable audience by offering bespoke 360‑degree multichannel advertising solutions. Since its launch in 1968, Time Out has become a global brand that advertisers and consumers love and trust. Time Out Market is the world’s first editorially curated food and cultural market, bringing a city’s best chefs, restaurateurs and cultural experiences together under one roof. The first Time Out Market opened in 2014 in a historic market hall in Lisbon, quickly turning into one of the most popular destinations in the city. The success of Lisbon led to further expansion, with thirteen markets in cities including New York, Montreal, Dubai, Cape Town, and several other locations expected to open in 2026 and beyond. Time Out is a dynamic, pioneering brand and our team works across the world’s greatest cities to bring authentic collaboration and expertise to every market. #J-18808-Ljbffr