Director of Food & Beverage Operations

Compass Group•Bentonville, AR

4d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Wolfgang Puck Catering is seeking a Director of Food & Beverage Operations to lead and evolve the dining experience across Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, and the broader campus supported by Art & Wellness Enterprises. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all food and beverage services, with a primary focus on Crystal Bridges while supporting campus‑wide programs, cafés, events, and experiences. The Director of Food & Beverage Operations partners closely with culinary, hospitality, and museum leadership to ensure food service enhances the guest experience and reflects the values of creativity, accessibility, and well‑being. This is an opportunity for a collaborative, thoughtful leader who sees food as part of a larger cultural experience, and who enjoys balancing vision, people leadership, and day‑to‑day operations in a dynamic environment. As Director of Food & Beverage Operations, you’ll guide the strategy, performance, and culture of food service across campus while supporting teams in delivering consistent, high‑quality guest experiences.

Requirements

Experience leading food and beverage operations in hospitality, cultural, or multi‑unit environments
The ability to manage complex operations while maintaining a focus on guest experience and team engagement
Comfort working with budgets, financial reports, and operational metrics
Strong communication skills and the ability to partner across departments
A calm, adaptable approach in a fast‑moving, event‑driven environment
A commitment to food safety, service standards, and continuous improvement

Nice To Haves

Experience working within museums, cultural institutions, or destination venues
Familiarity with wellness‑forward, community‑focused, or mission‑driven food programs
A background with premium catering, restaurant groups, or hospitality organizations

Responsibilities

Provide operational leadership for all food and beverage services across Crystal Bridges, The Momentary, and Art & Wellness Enterprises
Partner with culinary leadership to bring menus and concepts to life in ways that align with the museums’ missions and guest expectations
Lead and support managers and supervisors, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
Oversee daily operations including service standards, staffing, scheduling, and guest experience
Collaborate with museum and hospitality partners on special events, programming, and campus‑wide initiatives
Support financial performance through thoughtful budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and reporting
Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and organizational standards
Identify opportunities to improve systems, workflows, and the overall guest journey
Serve as a visible, engaged leader who supports teams on the floor as well as strategically behind the scenes
Shape a food and beverage program that feels welcoming, intentional, and aligned with a cultural institution
Strengthen collaboration between culinary, hospitality, and museum teams
Create environments where teams feel supported, empowered, and proud of their work
Balance operational excellence with creativity and flexibility in a dynamic, guest‑focused setting