Director of Food & Beverage - Hilton Palacio del Rio

ABOUT US

At Hilton Palacio del Rio, we believe hospitality is not just a service, it’s an act of generosity. When we take extraordinary care of our people, they, in turn, take extraordinary care of our guests. Our Food & Beverage program is at the heart of that philosophy.

We’re searching for a Director of Food & Beverage who is more than an operator. We want a visionary leader, someone who brings passion, creativity, and integrity to every table, every menu, and every guest experience. This leader doesn’t just run food & beverage outlets; they design experiences that spark connection, celebrate culture, and create lasting memories.

The Story We’re Writing Together

Imagine walking through our hotel and seeing team members who feel seen, heard, and valued, because their leaders truly listen. You’ll know the names of our servers, bartenders, and cooks. You’ll listen to their insights, because they’re the ones who connect with our guests every day. You’ll celebrate their ideas and empower them to deliver unexpected, personalized moments of joy.

This role is about more than managing operations, it’s about building a culture of accountability, ownership, and collaboration. You’ll partner with leaders across the Hilton Palacio del Rio to bring the food and beverage vision to life, while ensuring financial performance and operational excellence. You’ll assist in designing menus and beverage programs that aren’t just on-trend, but ahead of the curve. You’ll bring energy into every conversation and inspire your team to chase excellence.

We want someone who understands that hospitality is a calling: to serve, to elevate, and to create joy.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Food & Beverage provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all food and beverage programs in the Hilton Palacio del Rio. This role directs and organizes the F&B division to deliver exceptional guest experiences, maintain the highest standards of quality and service, drive revenue and profitability, and cultivate a culture of accountability, creativity, and team development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide strategic direction and day-to-day oversight for all Food & Beverage operations, ensuring alignment with the hotel’s vision and standards.
• Plan, direct, and organize the functions of the F&B department- including restaurants, bars, banquets, catering, in-room dining, kitchens, and stewarding- to meet operational and guest service needs.
• Partner with the Executive Chef and outlet managers on menu development and merchandising, integrating market trends, guest preferences, and revenue-driving opportunities.
• Develop and implement operating tools, budgets, forecasts, purchase specifications, recipes, portion standards, and food production controls to maximize efficiency and profitability.
• Monitor and control food, beverage, and labor costs across all outlets; analyze financial reports and implement strategies to achieve revenue and profit goals.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, overseeing procurement and negotiating pricing and marketing collaborations to enhance value and visibility.
• Lead and inspire F&B leadership teams and line-level employees through clear communication, positive coaching, and accountability. Foster a culture of empowerment, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Regularly evaluate guest satisfaction, sales performance, and service delivery to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Develop and administer training and career development programs to cultivate well-trained, motivated, and promotable team members at every level.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments, including Sales & Marketing, Events, Finance, and Operations, to support the hotel’s business goals and guest experience initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with sanitation codes, food safety regulations, health standards, and loss prevention policies.
• Champion a safe and environmentally responsible workplace, protecting the wellbeing of team members and guests.
• Oversee payroll, scheduling, and labor planning to align staffing models with operational demands.
• Participate in the creation and execution of the hotel’s annual business plan and budget, including competitor benchmarking, market analysis, and positioning strategies.
• Provide on-site leadership and oversight for special events, property re-conceptions, and outlet renovations or openings as assigned.
• Stay current on food & beverage industry trends to keep the hotel’s offerings relevant, competitive, and innovative.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned

Special Skills

• Extensive experience in upscale full-service hotel operations preferred.
• Strong background in restaurant management & banquets preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Superior communication skills, with the ability to present and influence at the executive level.
• Proven talent for building and leading high-performing teams.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology, analytics, and consumer insights for F&B innovation.
• Flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

This role is for someone who believes food & beverage is more than a department, it’s the heartbeat of hospitality. If you are a leader who listens deeply, inspires others, and turns ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, we want you to help us write the next chapter of the Hilton Palacio del Rio story.