An award-winning boutique hotel group is looking for an exceptional Beverage Director to join their corporate team! This is a new role for the company that will be the subject matter expert for all things beverage – from elevating the overall vision of the program and supporting with new hotel openings, to negotiating brand deals/partnerships and providing ongoing, hands-on training to bar staff at each property. This is a multifaceted role that is equal parts creative and operationally driven, perfect for someone with an inherent knack for developing modern, creative beverage offerings and the ability to manage menu changes from both a brand consistency and margin/pricing perspective.
The ideal candidate has a proven track record of successfully managing high-volume, multiunit beverage programs, experience curating and implementing industry-leading operating procedures, and excellent training and leadership skills in order to develop stronger bar/beverage leaders company wide. A strong mixology background and knowledge of premium spirits, craft cocktail culture, and industry trends is critical. This role is based in Los Angeles and requires relocation if not already local. Candidates should also be comfortable with frequent local travel between properties on a quarterly to bi-monthly basis, with some extended travel required for future new property openings.
Beverage Director Responsibilities:
- Continuously develop, innovate, and define a modern, creative, and inspired beverage program in line with the overall vision of the brand
- Manage programming for cocktail, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverage offerings
- Develop, test, and roll out beverage and cocktail menu changes
- Oversee existing training programs while making necessary improvements to streamline operations
- Ensuring beverage program and menu changes are implemented consistently across all properties
- Support with preopening/opening process and beverage program development for future properties
- Develop internal beverage marketing plans
- Oversee beverage inventory processes across all locations, regularly reviewing inventories and adjusting ordering as needed to maintain financial goals
- Monitoring financials and periodic forecasting
- Encourage and build mutual trust, respect and cooperation among team members
- Manage and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
- Plan and coordinate with partnership teams on brand deals, vendor contract negotiations, and product placement
- Remaining knowledgeable and ahead of the curve on craft cocktail culture and spirits industry trends
- Maintain consistency of recipes, batching standards, and execution across all hotel locations
- Ongoing development and training of team members at each location to ensure growth, knowledge, and professionalism in the beverage department
- Comprehensive cost management including margins and pricing
- Develop programs/methods to increase efficiency of beverage operations
- Resolving customer complaints and attending to all customer correspondence
- Maintain positive and cooperative relationships with all vendors and business partners
- Recruiting, hiring, and training of new beverage team members
- Ongoing training and development of beverage/bar staff and leadership across all locations
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
- Commitment to creating a welcoming, memorable, and unique guest experience that is line with company standards
Candidate Qualifications:
- Minimum 4-5+ years of progressive beverage leadership and operational experience in a high-volume, multiunit restaurant or boutique/luxury hotel environment (i.e. Beverage Director, Bar Director, Food & Beverage Director, Wine & Spirits Director, or comparable beverage leadership role)
- Proven track record of leading a professional, efficient, high quality, service-oriented operation
- Advanced mixology, spirits, and craft cocktail knowledge is required
- Experience and some degree of expertise with wine/beer is a big plus
- Extensive knowledge of current cocktail and spirits trends
- Fine-tuned business acumen and proven understanding of beverage financial reporting and cost management
- Strong knowledge of Food & Beverage pairings
- Impeccable leadership and training skills with a passion for ongoing mentorship and education of staff
- Advanced understanding of P&L and beverage COGS
- Excellent training and leadership skills with an eye for process improvement
- Understanding of legal jurisdictions around beverage/alcohol laws
- Ability to work collaboratively with property leaders, ownership, executive, and C-Suite teams
- A sophisticated communicator with high standards of performance and excellent problem solving and listening skills
- Passionate about the hospitality and beverage industry and guest relations
- Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines
- Ability to create strong relationships with guests and staff across multiple locations
- Proven high-level knowledge of beverage operations and core standards, policies, and standard operating procedures
- Knowledge of Food & Beverage service, spirits & cocktails, creating and developing, cost control, labor control, maintenance, merchandising & accounting
- Flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays as needed
- Ability to relocate and/or be based in Los Angeles, and able to regularly travel locally between hotel properties as needed
- Ability to travel out of state and/or out of market as needed to support with new property openings
Compensation Package Includes:
- Base Salary in the $175-205k range DOE
- Annual Bonus Potential
- Health/Dental Insurance
- 401k with matching
- PTO Plan
- Cell Phone Reimbursement
- Wellness Perks
- Employee Dining and Lodging Discounts