THE SETAI, MIAMI BEACH
DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Work Arrangement: Full-Time | On-Site
Relocation Assistance: Not Provided
Department: Food & Beverage
Reports To: General Manager and Hotel Manager
Classification: Exempt
Please Note: This is a fully on-site position based in Miami Beach, Florida. The Setai does not offer relocation assistance for this position. Candidates must be able to work on-site and arrange any necessary relocation at their own expense.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Food & Beverage is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and overall operational and financial performance of all Food & Beverage outlets at The Setai, Miami Beach.
This position ensures the delivery of exceptional, personalized luxury experiences consistent with The Setai brand philosophy, Forbes Five-Star service standards, and the highest levels of hospitality excellence.
The Director of Food & Beverage provides visionary leadership, promotes a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and ensures that all dining experiences reflect the sophistication, attention to detail, discretion, and personalized service synonymous with The Setai.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Luxury Service Excellence & Forbes Five-Star Standards - Ensure consistent execution of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star service standards across all Food & Beverage operations.
- Establish and maintain exceptional standards of personalized, anticipatory, and intuitive guest service.
- Ensure every guest interaction reflects The Setai commitment to gracious hospitality, elegance, discretion, and attention to detail.
- Conduct regular service observations, quality audits, and operational inspections.
- Lead initiatives to improve guest satisfaction, service delivery, and overall dining experiences.
- Personally engage with guests, VIPs, and repeat clientele to build meaningful relationships and anticipate individual preferences.
- Address guest concerns promptly and professionally, ensuring effective service recovery.
- Collaborate with Training and Human Resources to reinforce Forbes service standards through ongoing coaching and development.
2. Food & Beverage Operations Management - Provide strategic and operational oversight of all Food & Beverage outlets, including restaurants, bars, lounges, in-room dining, pool and beach service, and private dining or special events, as assigned.
- Ensure seamless daily operations through effective planning, communication, and leadership.
- Maintain exceptional standards of food presentation, beverage quality, cleanliness, ambiance, and guest experience.
- Work closely with the Executive Chef and culinary leadership to ensure consistency in menu execution, quality, and innovation.
- Oversee operational procedures, service sequences, and departmental standards.
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels, scheduling, and resource allocation based on business demands.
- Maintain a strong on-site presence, particularly during peak business periods and high-profile events.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable food safety, sanitation, licensing, and health regulations.
3. Financial Management & Business Performance - Develop, manage, and execute annual Food & Beverage operating budgets and business plans.
- Assume accountability for departmental revenue, profitability, labor productivity, and expense management.
- Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and implement corrective action plans.
- Optimize food, beverage, and labor costs while preserving luxury service standards.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue through menu engineering, pricing, beverage programs, and guest experience enhancements.
- Monitor key performance indicators, including revenue, average check, covers, labor costs, food and beverage costs, and guest satisfaction.
- Collaborate with Finance and Purchasing on inventory management, cost controls, and vendor relationships.
- Prepare financial forecasts, operational reports, and performance presentations.
4. Leadership, Talent Development & Employee Engagement - Lead, inspire, mentor, and develop the Food & Beverage management team and associates.
- Establish a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, respect, and service excellence.
- Partner with Human Resources in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning.
- Ensure team members receive comprehensive training on The Setai service philosophy, Forbes standards, product knowledge, and operational procedures.
- Conduct leadership meetings, performance evaluations, and development discussions.
- Identify high-potential talent and establish career development opportunities.
- Maintain standards of grooming, professional appearance, conduct, and workplace behavior.
- Address employee relations and performance concerns fairly and consistently.
- Foster collaboration between Front of House, Culinary, Stewarding, and other hotel departments.
5. Strategic Planning & Guest Experience Innovation - Develop strategies that strengthen The Setai reputation as a premier luxury dining destination.
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef, Marketing, Sales, and Events teams to create distinctive culinary and beverage experiences.
- Monitor luxury hospitality trends, competitive positioning, and evolving guest expectations.
- Identify opportunities to enhance restaurant concepts, service offerings, and profitability.
- Support special events, VIP experiences, holiday programming, and exclusive dining initiatives.
- Maintain relationships with key suppliers, hospitality partners, and industry professionals.
- Ensure departmental initiatives align with the hotel strategic objectives.
6. Quality Assurance, Compliance & Operational Controls - Ensure compliance with hotel policies, departmental procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Maintain strict sanitation, food safety, workplace safety, and responsible beverage service standards.
- Oversee inventories, equipment maintenance, purchasing controls, and asset protection.
- Ensure accurate documentation and follow-up of guest incidents and operational concerns.
- Participate in quality assurance inspections and implement improvement plans.
- Ensure operational readiness for Forbes evaluations and other luxury hospitality assessments.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressive Food & Beverage leadership experience, including at least 3-5 years in a senior management or director-level position.
- Previous experience within a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond, or comparable ultra-luxury hotel or resort strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple Food & Beverage outlets.
- Strong knowledge of Forbes Travel Guide service standards and luxury guest expectations.
- Proven financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, labor management, and cost control.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Comprehensive knowledge of fine dining, wine and beverage programs, restaurant operations, and luxury hospitality trends.
- Ability to lead diverse, multicultural teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Food & Beverage management systems.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Additional languages are an advantage.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be available to work fully on-site in Miami Beach, Florida.
CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Luxury Service Excellence
- Strategic Leadership and Business Acumen
- Financial Accountability
- Emotional Intelligence and Professional Discretion
- Talent Development and Succession Planning
- Operational Excellence
- Guest Relationship Management
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Integrity and Professionalism
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Success in this position will be evaluated based on:
- Consistent adherence to Forbes Five-Star and The Setai service standards.
- Guest satisfaction and service recovery effectiveness.
- Achievement of Food & Beverage revenue and profitability objectives.
- Effective labor management and departmental productivity.
- Employee engagement, retention, and leadership development.
- Operational consistency, quality assurance, and compliance.
- Innovation and contribution to the hotel financial performance and reputation.
PHYSICAL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS
- This position requires regular, full-time on-site presence at The Setai, Miami Beach.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout Food & Beverage outlets.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.
- Availability for varied schedules based on business requirements.
- Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this position and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional duties based on operational and business needs.
This is a management position This is a full time position
