Summary: As part of the Hyatt Hotels family, we are proud to be recognized as a Forbes Four-Star resort and to hold Two Michelin Keys for excellence in hospitality. These honors reflect our commitment to exceptional service, innovative experiences, and an unwavering attention to detail.
We are seeking an accomplished hospitality leader to oversee and elevate our food and beverage program. This role requires strategic vision, strong operational discipline, and the ability to lead and inspire a diverse, high-performing team within a luxury resort environment.
Position Overview The Director of Food & Beverage provides strategic and operational leadership for all food and beverage and culinary operations at Alila Ventana Big Sur. Reporting to the Resort Manager, this role is responsible for the overall performance, quality, and financial results of all dining outlets, bars, in-room dining, special events, and culinary operations.
The Director of Food & Beverage has direct oversight of all Food & Beverage operations. This leader sets the vision for service excellence, ensures alignment with Hyatt brand standards, and consistently upholds the expectations of a Forbes-rated and Michelin-recognized property. The Director of Food & Beverage partners closely with Culinary, Rooms, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, and Wellbeing to deliver a cohesive, elevated guest experience.
Key Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership Lead and oversee all food and beverage, ensuring consistent execution of luxury service standards across all outlets and events
Provide direct leadership and accountability for food and beverage leaders
Establish clear expectations, operational standards, and performance accountability across food and beverage and culinary teams
Partner closely with Culinary leadership to develop menus, beverage programs, and dining experiences aligned with guest expectations and brand values
Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations, sanitation standards, and all licensing requirements
Financial Management Own the overall financial performance of food, beverage, including budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, and P&L accountability
Analyze key financial metrics and implement strategies to drive revenue, manage costs, and optimize profitability across all outlets and events
Oversee pricing strategies, product selection, and promotional initiatives
Manage vendor relationships and purchasing strategies to ensure quality, consistency, and favorable terms
Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop food and beverage leaders, and fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement
Build strong succession planning and bench strength across food and beverage and culinary teams
Oversee performance management, coaching, and development plans
Partner with Human Resources to support hiring, onboarding, training, engagement, and retention initiatives
Guest Experience & Engagement Maintain a visible and engaged leadership presence across food and beverage outlets
Proactively engage with guests to personalize experiences and resolve concerns in real time
Monitor and analyze guest feedback, online reviews, and survey results and translate insights into meaningful operational improvements
Collaborate with resort leadership, Marketing, and Wellbeing to align offerings with guest demographics, seasonal trends, wellness programming, and resort initiatives
Cross-Functional Partnership, Innovation & Sustainability Partner with Engineering to ensure facilities, equipment, and preventive maintenance programs support operational excellence, food safety, and service continuity
Stay current with luxury hospitality trends, service innovations, and evolving guest expectations
Champion sustainability initiatives including responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and operational efficiency
Collaborate cross-functionally to create seamless guest experiences that reflect Alila and Hyatt brand values
Compensation and Benefits Annual salary range
: $125,000-$145,000, based on experience and qualifications Comprehensive Hyatt benefits package including hotel and travel discounts, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement
Comprehensive Hyatt benefits package including hotel and travel discounts, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement
Ventana Big Sur benefits such as complimentary daily meals and eligible transportation perks
Qualifications:- Minimum of 7 years of progressive food and beverage leadership experience, preferably within a luxury resort or fine dining environment
Proven success leading integrated food, beverage, and culinary operations with full financial accountability
Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, labor optimization, and cost control
Deep understanding of luxury service standards, Forbes inspection criteria, and guest-experience execution; prior experience in a Forbes- or Michelin-recognized property strongly preferred
Food Safety and Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certifications strongly preferred
Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills
Proficiency in POS systems, restaurant management platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite
Valid driver's license with a clean driving history
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand or walk for extended periods
Ability to walk and drive across uneven and varying terrain throughout the resort's grounds
Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-volume environments, including exposure to heat and humidity
Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays
