Director of Food and Beverage

Highgate Hotels•St Pete Beach, FL

29d•Onsite

About The Position

Highgate Hotels Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com . Location Discover more sun and more fun! Escape to a tropical beachfront paradise complete with everything you need for the perfect getaway, including delicious dining, beachfront bars, relaxing comforts, and endless activities. Here you’ll stay at one, play at two — with two connecting resorts right on the soft white sands of St. Pete Beach. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a romantic retreat, a group getaway, or anything in between, it’s all here at TradeWinds Island Resorts. https://www.tradewindsresort.com/careers Overview Follow your passion all the way to paradise at TradeWinds Resort , a consistently rated Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace! TradeWinds features two destination resorts just 200 flip flops from one another along the gorgeous Gulf Coast on St. Pete Beach. The Director of Food & Beverage is an executive committee position and responsible for coordinating, supervising and directing all property food and beverage operations while maintaining a profitable F&B department and high quality products and service levels. He/she is expected to market ideas to promote business; reduce employee turnover; generate revenue and payroll budgets; and meet budgeted productivity while keeping quality consistently high.

Requirements

A minimum of six years of progressive leadership experience in hotel food and beverage operations or a related discipline is required, or a combination of education and experience that includes a four‑year degree with at least three years of related experience, or a two‑year degree with four or more years of related experience.
Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
Must have knowledge of F&B preparation techniques, health department rules and regulations, liquor laws and regulations.
The role requires flexibility to work extended and variable hours in support of dynamic, guest‑driven operations.
Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including wearing nametags.
Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
Perform other duties as requested by management.
Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.

Nice To Haves

Hotel opening with multiple food and beverage outlets preferred.
Previous experience with food and beverage pool and beach operations preferred.
Experience working with independent ownership in the luxury hotel environment preferred.
Experience with POS system setup a plus

Responsibilities

Provides hands‑on leadership and oversight of all Food & Beverage personnel, ensuring operational alignment, accountability, and consistent execution across all outlets.
Prepares, manages, and monitors the Food & Beverage budget, forecasting performance, tracking trends, and implementing follow‑up actions to achieve financial and productivity goals.
Evaluates industry trends, competitive insights, and market activity to proactively evolve offerings and maintain profitable, relevant, and experience‑driven operations.
Work with other Executive Committee members and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
Employees must, at all times, be attentive, friendly, helpful, and courteous to all guests, managers, and fellow employees.
Interview candidates for front-of-house F&B positions and follow standards for hiring approvals.
Conduct and/or attend all required meetings, including pre-convention and post-convention meetings.
Supervise all F&B personnel.
Respond to guest complaints in a timely manner.
Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
Coordinate and monitor all phases of Loss Prevention in the F&B department.
Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
Organize and conduct department meetings on a regular basis.
Monitor quality of service and product.
Collaborates with culinary and operational partners on menu planning, development, and execution, balancing creativity, guest appeal, and cost control.
Ensure timely purchase of F&B items, within budget allocation.
Ensure compliance with all local liquor laws, and health and sanitation regulations.
Ensure departmental compliance with SOP’s.
Ensure the training of department heads on SOP’s, report preparation, technical job tasks.
Attend and/or conduct departmental and hotel training.
Ensure overall guest satisfaction.