Dining Services Director

Dining Services Director

Kenwood Country Club - Cincinnati, Ohio

Position Overview

Kenwood Country Club is seeking an energetic, service-driven, and highly visible Dining Services Director to lead day-to-day front-of-house operations across all dining venues. Reporting directly to the Director of Food & Beverage, this position is responsible for overseeing all beverage operations, service standards, staff development, and member experience throughout the club.

The Dining Services Director serves as the operational leader for the dining room teams, ensuring exceptional hospitality, consistent execution, and alignment with the club's service culture. This role directly supervises 3-5 front-of-house managers and works closely with culinary, purchasing, and event teams to deliver an outstanding member and guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

Front-of-House Leadership

• Lead and oversee daily service operations in all a la carte dining outlets while assisting with club events.
• Maintain a strong floor presence during peak business periods.
• Ensure service standards consistently reflect the expectations of a premier private club.
• Develop and mentor front-of-house managers and supervisors through ongoing coaching and performance management.

Beverage Program Management

• Direct all beverage operations across a la carte and banquet venues.
• Manage wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Food & Beverage on beverage strategy, procurement, pricing, and inventory controls.
• Support and enhance club programs including wine events, wine lockers, member tastings, and beverage promotions.
• Ensure responsible alcohol service and compliance with all applicable regulations.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, schedule, and develop service staff.
• Lead daily lineups and pre-shift meetings.
• Foster a culture of hospitality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Human Resources and department leadership on employee engagement and retention initiatives.

Member Experience

• Build strong relationships with members and guests through visibility and engagement.
• Respond promptly and professionally to member concerns and service recovery situations.
• Continuously evaluate dining experiences and implement improvements based on member feedback.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Assist in developing and managing labor budgets and departmental expenses.
• Monitor payroll, staffing efficiencies, beverage costs, and operating expenses.
• Utilize POS and reservation systems to analyze performance trends and maximize service effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate inventory controls and ordering procedures.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with Culinary, Catering, Golf, Racquet Sports, and Membership teams to support club initiatives.
• Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to strategic planning efforts.
• Support a unified club culture focused on exceptional member experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in private clubs, luxury hospitality, upscale restaurants, or resort operations.
• Strong knowledge of beverage management, wine service, and banquet operations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and member-relations skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with POS systems, reservation platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.

Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A hands-on leadership style
• Strong service culture and hospitality instincts
• Attention to detail and operational discipline
• Positive team-building skills
• Professional presence and member engagement
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Director of Food & Beverage

Direct Reports: 3-5 Front-of-House Managers and Supervisors

Areas of Responsibility:

• All a la carte dining service operations
• Beverage operations
• Front-of-house staff development and training
• Member dining experience

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to join one of the Midwest's premier private clubs and play a significant role in delivering a best-in-class dining and hospitality experience for our members and guests.