Director of Food & Beverage

· Set and execute the overall F&B vision, annual plan, monthly plan, forecast and outlet/banquet strategies to drive revenue, guest satisfaction, and brand positioning.

· Partner with Sales & Marketing to grow catering and group business; support hotel-wide initiatives and key account relationships.

· Analyze business trends and competitive set performance; implement initiatives to improve capture, average check, and guest loyalty.

· Lead menu engineering, concept evolution, and service design in collaboration with Culinary and Beverage teams.

· Represent F&B in Executive Committee discussions and contribute to hotel-wide planning, budgeting, and forecasting.

· Attend key meetings prepared and on time, including forecasting, budget and P&L reviews, resume/interview meetings, and client meetings; arrive with data, action plans, and clear follow-ups.

· Handles all union related issues with team members adequately and timely and act as a steward of Lotte New York Palace.

Operational Excellence

· Oversee day-to-day operations across all F&B outlets, banquets/events, and in-room dining to ensure consistent luxury service standards.

· Establish and monitor operating procedures, service sequences, and quality controls (food presentation, beverage execution, speed of service, cleanliness, ambiance).

· Ensure effective pre-shift communication, reservation/coverage planning, and peak-period execution for both transient and group demand.

· Lead cross-department collaboration (Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, Security, Finance, Reservations) to deliver seamless guest experiences.

· Drive continuous improvement using guest feedback, quality audits, and operational reporting.

People Leadership & Culture

· Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop high-performing leaders and teams; maintain robust succession plans for critical roles.

· Set clear expectations and accountability through coaching, performance management, and ongoing training.

· Build a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and service excellence aligned with luxury standards.

· Manage staffing models and schedules to balance service delivery with labor optimization.

· Promote safe work practices, compliance training, and a positive employee experience that supports retention.

· Hold structured weekly communication meetings with Culinary (kitchen) and F&B management teams to align on service execution, banquet/event readiness, staffing, quality issues, and upcoming priorities.

Financial, Inventory & Asset Management

· Demonstrate a strong, daily focus on profitability across outlets and banquets through revenue growth, mix management, and cost discipline.

· Own F&B financial performance, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance reviews.

· Own F&B financial performance, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance reviews.

· Drive disciplined cost controls for labor, food cost, beverage cost, purchasing, and controllable expenses.

· Maintain strict FTE control through workforce planning, scheduling discipline, and productivity standards; ensure staffing aligns to forecasted demand and budget.

· Oversee inventory controls and asset stewardship for china, glassware, silver, linens, equipment, and beverage programs.

· Lead disciplined monthly inventory controls (food, beverage, and operating supplies), including accurate counts, variance analysis, corrective actions, and alignment with Finance standards and timelines.

· Partner with Finance and Purchasing to ensure effective procurement, vendor performance, and contract compliance.

· Establish KPIs and dashboards (labor productivity, waste, comp sales, capture, banquet profitability) and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

· Maintain strict control of overtime and other premium pay practices, ensuring scheduling discipline, accurate approvals, and adherence to established best practices.

Guest Experience & Brand Representation

· Act as a visible leader on the floor and at events, engaging guests proactively and ensuring service recovery is executed promptly and professionally.

· Oversee VIP and special request planning, ensuring personalization and flawless execution for high-profile guests and groups.

· Build and maintain relationships with loyal guests, local partners, and stakeholders to strengthen the hotel’s reputation and drive repeat business.

· Drive the achievement and maintenance of Forbes Five-Star standards for all F&B touchpoints; lead readiness planning, daily standards execution, and service recovery to successfully pass Forbes inspections (“shop”) at the Five-Star level.

· Tripadvisor: Improve and maintain targeted Tripadvisor rankings/ratings for hotel F&B and guest experience touchpoints (as applicable).

· Support marketing and PR initiatives, special events, and culinary/beverage activations that enhance brand image.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

· Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and food handling requirements; lead readiness for inspections and audits.

· Oversee responsible alcohol service standards and related training; ensure adherence to licensing requirements and company policies.

· Maintain high standards for cleanliness and maintenance; partner with Engineering and Stewarding to address issues quickly.

· Support labor relations and policy compliance in partnership with Human Resources, including documentation, investigations, and corrective action.

· Proactively manage employee relations and policy compliance to minimize risk and prevent escalations, with the expectation of maintaining a record of zero arbitration cases through consistent standards, documentation, and timely issue resolution.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

· Minimum 5–8 years of progressive F&B leadership experience, including multi-outlet and Banquet/Events oversight in a luxury hotel environment.

· Food safety certification and responsible alcohol service training preferred (as required by local regulations and company policy).

· Demonstrated ability to lead leaders, build teams, and deliver consistent luxury service standards.

· Experience achieving and sustaining Forbes Five-Star (or equivalent luxury) standards, including inspection readiness, quality assurance audits, and corrective action execution.

· Strong financial acumen with proven success in P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.

· Deep knowledge of food, beverage, wine/spirits, and contemporary hospitality trends.

· Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills; comfortable engaging VIP guests and stakeholders.

· Proficiency with POS and restaurant reservation systems and strong Microsoft Office skills (Excel required).

Physical Requirements

· Able to work standing for a minimum of 10 hours a day

· Push, pull, carry, and lift at least 50 pounds

Must be able to work effectively in a demanding environment, communicate effectively with others, effectively deal with difficult or dissatisfied patrons, and accept constructive criticism

· Majority of duties performed indoors. Noise level moderate.

Compensation: $180K - $220K/Annual