Corporate Director of Food and Beverage

Description

Who We Are

Join White Lodging — a hospitality company developing and operating award-winning, premium-brand hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in top U.S. cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. With a growing portfolio of premium brands across the country's best markets, White Lodging offers a dynamic environment where talent thrives and careers are built.

We are seeking a Full Time Corporate Director of Food and Beverage to serve as a key contributor across the White Lodging Food and Beverage portfolio. In this senior F&B leadership role, you will oversee training programs, new restaurant openings, beverage development, corporate communications, and organizational strategy across a dynamic multi-property hospitality portfolio. The ideal candidate has 5 years of proven success as a high-volume restaurant General Manager, strong P&L management skills, and a passion for developing teams and driving operational excellence. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Food and Beverage leader ready to make a broad, strategic impact across one of the country's premier hotel and restaurant management companies.

What You'll Do

Training

• Support the WLW Restaurant Manager Training Program
• Provide support, organization and mentorship for Restaurant Managers and Chefs participating in the Manager Flight Plan, holding training update calls at minimum monthly during training
• Keep all trainees on schedule and hold properties accountable for knowledge checks and statuses throughout the program
• Place new managers with appropriate trainers when one is not readily available at home property
• Oversee and support the WLW FOH and HOH Associate Training Programs
• Develop and maintain the WL Hourly Certifications for F&B associates with the Corporate Training and Development Team
• Execute quarterly training and directional meetings for Restaurant GMs with the Sr. Corp. Director of Food and Beverage
• Perform "Train the Trainer" and "White Lodging Way" training sessions in all markets annually or biannually depending on need
  
  

New Store Openings

• Participate in all Restaurant Critical Path task lists and calls, assisting the property and guiding them through tasks as needed
• Participate in all Pre-Opening Training and create training materials and standards
• Coordinate and lead strategic and tactical communication with restaurant and hotel executive leadership and regional/corporate sales/F&B/marketing departments to ensure critical path milestones are being hit
• Finalize and publish online all training materials, service standards, and brand execution for future reference and accountability
• Lead the formulation of preopening orders, including but not limited to: dishware and serviceware, menu presentations, branded collateral, and uniforming; execute all orders within budget and branding guidelines
  
  

Corporate Communications & Marketing

• Develop, initiate, distribute, and manage an Internal Communications cadence (newsletters, dashboards, etc.)
• Represent WL F&B in Marketing Activation Planning, Retailing, Execution as well as approval of plans
• Participate in restaurant and market-specific F&B activation strategy sessions as directed; provide on-going oversight and management supervision of annual F&B Activation Workbooks
• Offer guidance and communication to properties regarding: Pass-On Logs, Coyle Audits, and Revinate reports; guide action plans and follow up on opportunities with on-premise leaders
  
  

Beverage

• Execute all Cocktail R&D and concept development in partnership with the Sr. Corp Director of Food and Beverage and VP of Food and Beverage
• Manage Beverage Inventory Management Systems, BevSpot, etc.
• Update, oversee and manage the Corporate Beverage program and maintain relationships with national vendors
• Conduct new menu tastings for beverage development, including seasonal updates and new concepts
• Oversee and manage recipe database, maintaining current records on the Intranet
• Lead cocktail counsel in developing innovative ideas and following beverage trends
  
  

Systems and Processes

• Maintain all data and resources including training materials, beverage & food recipe databases, restaurant concept library, and discipline SOPs
• Participate in WLW audits alongside RVPs in each region
• Communicate and offer follow-up and action plans on WLW Audits when opportunities exist in F&B departments
• Develop and maintain continuous hotel training efforts by auditing the WLW program and providing additional training assistance
  
  

Standards

• Support the RVPs and their regions to maintain all F&B standards, initiatives, and results
• Monitor Coyle Service Audits and schedule calls and action plans with leaders when low scores occur
• Visit properties falling below expectations and guide action plans and professional development for leaders to align with corporate vision and standards
• Display excellent skills in creating a professional, supportive environment for guests and F&B leaders while aiding in the improvement of guest satisfaction scores, educating and providing guidance and mentorship
• Demonstrate skills and leadership around sales growth and operational efficiency
• Other items as designated by the Sr. Corp Director of Food and Beverage and the VP of Food and Beverage
  
  

What You'll Bring

Competencies

• Creating a Service Reputation
• Inspiring Excellence
• Guiding Team Success
• Building Talent
• Driving Execution
• Strategic Planning
  
  

Skills

• Strong ability to analyze data, diagnose issues and coach the operations team accordingly
• Strong capability in reading and analyzing Profit & Loss statements
• Excellent people management skills, including resolving conflict, leading by influence, coaching and developing and promoting teamwork
• Proven track record in leading operations to meet sales and profitability objectives
• Willingness to learn and accommodate industry changes and company directives
• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, specifically ability to command respect of RVPs and Hotel GMs
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Flexibility to travel up to 70%
  
  

Education/Experience

• Must have 5 years of proven success in a high-volume restaurant as a GM
• Minimum 5 years Food & Beverage experience
• Level 1 Sommelier, Food Manager Certificate preferred
• Four-year degree preferred
  
  

What You Can Look Forward To

• Benefits — starting day 1
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 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
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties
  
  

White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.