Director of Restaurants

Starwood Hotels•Austin, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Restaurants & Bars provides strategic and operational leadership for all food and beverage operations across the property. This role is responsible for driving exceptional guest experiences, financial performance, brand alignment, and team engagement across restaurants, bars, lounges, in-room dining, and seasonal outlets. The Director of Restaurants & Bars serves as a brand ambassador and business leader, positioning the property as a destination for luxury dining and hospitality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or related field preferred.
Minimum of 6 years of Food & Beverage experience, with at least 2 years in senior leadership roles.
Minimum of 4 years' experience in a luxury hotel or high-end hospitality environment in a similar capacity.
Proven track record managing high-volume, multi-outlet Food & Beverage operations.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing large budgets and driving profitability.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Strategic business development and marketing experience.
Ability to lead and manage change in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills.
Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and VIP clientele.
Ability to manage multicultural teams in diverse environments.
Strong guest-centric mindset with a focus on personalized service.
Fluent in English; additional languages (e.g., Spanish) a plus.
Strong prioritization, time management, and organizational skills.
Professional appearance and demeanor aligned with the 1 Hotels brand and culture.
Flexibility to meet the demands of a 24-hour operation.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations of all Food & Beverage outlets, ensuring the highest standards of product quality, service excellence, and operational efficiency.
Provide inspirational leadership to enliven the 1 Hotels Vision, Mission and Compass; deliver on Our Promise, provide Good-Natured Service and uphold our Brand Pillars.
Lead pre-opening, opening, ongoing operations, seasonal transitions, and closures of all F&B venues as applicable.
Ensure service and sanitation standards are consistently upheld across restaurants, bars, lounges, and room service.
Facilitate regular pre-meal briefings with Chefs and Restaurant Managers to align teams on menu offerings, service expectations, and guest experience priorities.
Oversee booking, planning, and execution of restaurant parties, special events, and in-room dining hospitality suites.
Drive business growth by attracting external clientele, particularly within the luxury market.
Leverage industry relationships, social networks, and partnerships to enhance the property's F&B reputation.
Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and PR teams to develop and execute annual promotional calendars and targeted revenue-driving initiatives.
Participate in public relations activities and brand activations that enhance visibility, prestige, and profitability.
Work closely with high-profile chefs, culinary partners, and luxury brands to elevate offerings and market position.
Lead innovative marketing and social media engagement strategies to increase brand awareness and guest engagement.
Analyze the effectiveness of digital campaigns and guest feedback to optimize performance.
Oversee and manage the Food & Beverage budget, ensuring profitability through strategic planning and cost control.
Estimate food, liquor, wine, and beverage consumption to anticipate purchasing needs.
Monitor and control food, beverage, labor, and operating costs to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.
Understand the impact of F&B operations on overall property financial performance and contribute to hotel-wide financial objectives.
Ensure proper cash handling, liquor controls, inventory management, and purchasing procedures are in place and followed.
Develop strategies to improve profit margins, including evaluating cost-benefit opportunities and new business initiatives.
Monitor and analyze key performance indicators including guest satisfaction scores.
Continuously evaluate service quality, food and beverage offerings, and operational processes to drive improvement.
Actively engage with guests during service periods to gather feedback and build relationships, particularly with VIP and loyal guests.
Serve as the primary point of contact for high-profile guests, bookings, and special requests.
Respond effectively to guest concerns and complaints, ensuring timely resolution and service recovery.
Incorporate guest satisfaction feedback into departmental meetings and continuous improvement plans.
Lead, mentor, and develop a large, diverse Food & Beverage leadership and operations team.
Establish clear, challenging, and attainable goals for performance, service, and financial outcomes.
Build a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and empowerment.
Recruit, interview, hire, and retain top management and hourly talent aligned with brand values.
Administer performance appraisals and provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and feedback.
Ensure performance expectations are clearly communicated and consistently enforced.
Lead change management initiatives focused on operational efficiency and service excellence.
Ensure compliance with all food handling, sanitation, safety, and liquor laws.
Ensure all team members understand and adhere to company policies, procedures, and service standards.
Serve as a role model for guest service excellence and professional conduct.
Maintain consistent, transparent communication with executive leadership, peers, and teams.
Provide timely updates, reports, and insights via meetings, written communication, and presentations.
Analyze operational data and performance results to inform decision-making and problem-solving.