Director of Food and Beverage

Our client, an upscale boutique hotel in Sarasota, Florida is seeking an experienced and hands-on Director of Food & Beverage to lead its food and beverage operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality leader who enjoys being highly visible in the operation and can balance exceptional guest experiences with strong financial and operational performance. The ideal candidate will bring a combination of restaurant and bar leadership, team development, beverage knowledge, financial acumen, and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the hotel's food and beverage operations.

• Lead restaurant, bar, poolside, in-room dining, and event-related F&B operations.

• Maintain a highly visible presence during service and actively support the team on the floor.

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop a high-performing food and beverage team.

• Establish and maintain exceptional standards for service, hospitality, food quality, and presentation.

• Manage labor, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, beverage costs, and operating expenses.

• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve revenue, profitability, and operational efficiency.

• Partner closely with culinary leadership to ensure a cohesive front- and back-of-house operation.

• Oversee beverage programming and maintain strong controls around wine, spirits, beer, and cocktails.

• Develop creative programming, promotions, and experiences that drive local and hotel-guest engagement.

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, alcohol-service, and company standards.

• Build a positive culture centered around accountability, teamwork, development, and genuine hospitality.

Ideal Background

• Progressive food and beverage leadership experience within an upscale hotel, resort, lifestyle property, or high-quality restaurant environment.

• Previous experience as a Director of F&B, Assistant Director of F&B, F&B Manager, Outlets Manager, Restaurant General Manager, or similar leadership position.

• Strong restaurant and bar operational experience.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and retain hospitality teams.

• Strong understanding of labor management, inventory, cost controls, budgeting, and financial performance.

• Experience with upscale or luxury service standards.

• Comfortable operating in a hands-on leadership environment.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with culinary, hotel operations, sales, and executive leadership.

• Boutique or lifestyle hospitality experience is highly desirable.