Executive Chef – New Concept Opening | Tucson, AZ

Concept Type: Mid-Scale Modern American Eatery

Salary: $70,000 – $80,000 + Bonus Potential

Status: Immediate Hire

A Company Worth Being Part Of

This is not just another restaurant opening. It is a chance to help build something from the ground up — and leave your mark on it.

A well-established local Tucson Restaurant Group is launching a new concept, and they are doing it the right way. This is an organization that leads with culture. They believe people are the foundation of every great dining experience, and that belief shows in how they treat their teams, develop their leaders, and invest in the guest experience. The culture here is people-first — collaborative, grounded, and deeply committed to doing things well.

The Opportunity

An exciting new mid-scale Modern American eatery is joining the Tucson dining scene, and they need the right culinary leader to help bring it to life. The Executive Chef in Tucson, AZ will have a rare opportunity — not just to run a kitchen, but to define one.

This is the kind of opening that can put a chef on the map. The concept is chef-driven, blending traditional American ingredients with global influences and progressive technique. It is approachable without being generic, and elevated without being pretentious. The right leader will have the creative freedom to shape the menu, build the team, and set the standard from day one.

A highly motivated Executive Sous Chef in Tucson, AZ who is ready to step into the top role will also be considered. The title matters less than the mindset — what this group is looking for is someone ready to lead.

Qualifications

The ideal Executive Chef candidate for this Tucson, AZ opening will bring the following:

• 3–5+ years of culinary leadership experience, with at least some time at the Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef level
• Proven experience in Modern American cuisine or a comparable chef-driven dining concept
• Hands-on leadership style — someone who is present on the line, teaching, coaching, and setting the standard through action
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute original menus with seasonal, regional, and globally inspired influences
• Strong financial acumen, including food cost management, ordering, inventory, and waste reduction
• Experience opening a restaurant or new concept is a strong plus
• Embodies the three non-negotiables: Humble, Hungry, and Emotionally Intelligent
• Candidates currently based in Phoenix, AZ who are open to relocating to Tucson will be considered

Responsibilities

As the Executive Chef for this new Tucson, AZ concept, you will be responsible for:

• Leading all back-of-house operations for a new mid-scale Modern American eatery from pre-opening through launch and beyond
• Developing, testing, and implementing a menu that reflects the concept's identity AND your identity.
• Building and leading a cohesive kitchen team through hiring, training, scheduling, and ongoing development
• Maintaining food quality, consistency, and presentation standards across all dayparts and service periods
• Managing food and labor costs, vendor relationships, and ordering systems to meet financial targets
• Collaborating with ownership and front-of-house leadership to deliver a seamless, high-quality guest experience
• Upholding all health, safety, and sanitation standards in compliance with local regulations
• Contributing to the long-term vision of the restaurant group as the concept grows and evolves

Benefits

• Salary: $70,000 – $80,000, commensurate with experience
• Bonus potential based on performance
• Medical Benefits
• Opportunity to be a founding culinary leader for a new concept in Tucson, AZ
• Creative freedom to shape and evolve the menu
• A people-first culture that values your contribution and invests in your success
• Collaborative ownership that supports great leadership — not micromanagement

Ready to Make Your Mark as an Executive Chef in Tucson, AZ?

This position is being filled immediately. If you are a culinary leader who is ready to build something great — from the menu to the culture — this is your moment.

Send your resume directly to John Wilcoxon at Gecko Hospitality: John@geckohospitality.com

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