Restaurant Sous Chef

Summary: White Lodging is hiring a Restaurant Sous Chef to help open and lead Yacht Club, the signature fine dining seafood restaurant at Hotel Trinity, Autograph Collection in downtown Austin. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build a fine dining team from scratch, shape restaurant culture, and set the culinary standard for one of Austin's most anticipated new upscale seafood concepts.

Ideal candidates bring fine dining leadership experience, a passion for seafood-forward cuisine, and strong wine and beverage knowledge.

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that hospitality, like life, is about how you make people feel — that's where you come in.

Yacht Club is the signature fine dining seafood restaurant at Hotel Trinity, Autograph Collection — Austin's newest luxury boutique hotel, opening late 2026 at the corner of Trinity and Fifth Streets in the heart of downtown Austin. As the only Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in the city center, Hotel Trinity is a 258-room private hideaway located next to Antone's in the historic 6th Street entertainment district.

Yacht Club anchors the hotel's ground floor with a refined yet approachable take on coastal cuisine — fresh seafood, an oyster bar, thoughtful steakhouse offerings, seasonal menus, and an elevated wine and beverage program.

We're seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead the opening and ongoing culinary operations of Yacht Club — a rare opportunity to hire and develop a team, establish culture, and set the standard for upscale restaurant management at one of Austin's most exciting new hospitality concepts.

• Lead all aspects of restaurant operations to deliver a seamless, elevated fine dining experience across multiple meal periods
• Recruit, direct, and develop a team of managers and front-of-house associates, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional growth
• Drive operational performance through consistent execution of systems, processes, and luxury service standards
• Oversee full financial performance — budgets, forecasting, P&L, and strategic initiatives to exceed profitability goals
• Partner with culinary and beverage teams to ensure menu quality, operational flow, and a strong wine and beverage culture
• Champion guest satisfaction and brand reputation through service excellence and swift resolution of guest concerns
• Collaborate cross-functionally with corporate, marketing, and hotel leadership on promotions, activations, and business development goals

• Proven experience managing multiple leaders across front-of-house and back-of-house teams in a high-volume, upscale restaurant environment
• Strong background in fine dining or upscale restaurant operations, with deep knowledge of wine and food pairings — Sommelier certification preferred but not required
• Experience managing multiple meal periods; prior oversight of In-Room Dining in a hotel setting is a plus
• Process-driven approach with exceptional organizational and operational execution skills
• Demonstrated success developing people, driving team culture, and reducing turnover
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and restaurant growth strategy
• Strong communication, business acumen, and creative problem-solving abilities

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits start Day 1
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Vacation/Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties

White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.