Royal Caribbean Group

Senior Director, Food and Beverage Operations

Royal Caribbean Group • $150K — $180K *
Miami, FL 33186In-Person
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in a relevant field.
  • 10-15 years in hospitality management, specifically dining or restaurant operations.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in hospitality management and general business.
  • Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, especially in multicultural environments.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced setting.
  • Willingness to travel internationally up to 50% of the time.

Responsibilities

  • Manage shipboard and shoreside restaurant processes and operations.
  • Define objectives and develop strategic plans for Restaurant Operations.
  • Monitor payroll, compliance, and HR-related matters.
  • Ensure staffing balance within the fleet and assist in recruitment efforts.
  • Update and create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training programs.
  • Collaborate with dining coordination and operational teams on dining events and requests.
  • Drive fiscal responsibility, overseeing financial aspects of Restaurant Operations.

Benefits

  • Direct hire with no agency fees involved.
  • Opportunity to lead a significant operational segment for a major cruise line.
  • Collaboration with culinary experts and a diverse range of operational teams.
  • Possibility for international travel and engagement within a global business.
  • Focus on continuous improvement in a rapidly evolving industry.
Full Job Description
The Royal Caribbean Group's Hotel OperationsTeam has an exciting career opportunity for a full- time Senior Director, Food and Beverage Operations reporting to the SVP, Food and Beverage.

The position will work onsite in Miami, Florida.

Agency and Third-Party Submissions: Please note this is a direct search by the Company, and applications through agencies and other third parties will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited resumes. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered the Company's property.

What does the Hotel Operations Team do?

The Hotel Operations Team at Royal Caribbean Group oversees the end-to-end onboard and shoreside hotel experience across the fleet. The team sets operational standards and partners with culinary, housekeeping, entertainment, and guest services to ensure safe, efficient, and exceptional service delivery, driving consistency, quality, and continuous improvement while bringing the brand promise to life and enhancing guest satisfaction.

What does the Senior Director, Food and Beverage do?

The Senior Director, Food and Beverage Operations is responsible for the management and coordination of all Restaurant Operations Fleet-wide shoreside and shipboard. This includes ensuring the consistency of existing & future levels of service and any other Restaurant Operations initiatives associated. Work closely with Culinary, Beverage and Operation Excellence departments to strengthen the F& B Division.

In addition, this position's primary focus will be the development and continuous improvement of products, concepts, and standards to ensure Royal Caribbean International remains a market leader in service delivery.

This position is also responsible and accountable for financial aspects of Restaurant Operations including the revenue target of specialty Revenue - over $100M a year.

Lastly, this position manages all dining coordination with a team of 6 people making reservation for over 5 million Guests per year for the Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurants.

What your day-to-day will look like:

  • Manages a team that works to understand and improve upon all current restaurant processes. This includes but is not limited to shipboard operations, shoreside dining coordination and all projects related to F& B operations.


  • Defines departmental objectives, develops strategic plans, and deploys supporting tactics and project work for Restaurant Operations that support F& B and Hotel Operations business objectives.


  • Monitors shipboard and shoreside restaurant payroll, time and attendance, ILO compliance and other HR related matters for F& B Operations. Maintains knowledge of human resources policies within F& B Operations. Cooperates and communicates with shoreside human resources to support any major updates or upgrades of restaurant operations which can impact crew and staff in any way. Assists with recruiting and scheduling key positions within restaurant operations: Head Waiter, Assistant Maitre D', Maitre D and Restaurant Operations Manager.


  • Ensures all shipboard positions from entry level to top management are well balanced amongst the fleet. Assists human resources with scheduling and recruiting.


  • Leads and is directly involved in development of new, as well updating existing: SOPs, Restaurant guidelines, Culinary Guides, Training programs and Operational supporting documents available on homeport. Ensures online training requirement for every restaurant position is followed on every vessel. Monitors weekly reports sent by Restaurant Operations Managers, including but not limited to: Utilization reports, food productivity tool report, Specialty & Beverage Revenues, ROM, MD and AMD dashboards and appraisal tracker. Provides timely feedback to ships once reports are received.


  • Cooperates and closely works with the Shoreside Dining Coordination team on all aspects of dining coordination responsibilities, such as fleet Main Dining Room dining time and limits, Specialty Restaurants and Culinary Events set-up and inventories, My Time Dining online reservation inventories, implementation of new products, group dining requests, as well any special requests for large groups and charters.


  • Works closely with IT, to develop the new dining management system X-Dining to replace the existing system called Silverwhere.


  • Supports My Time Dining and other flexible dining seating and flexible dining products necessary to remain in a position of leadership within the industry. Oversees inventory for MDR and Specialty Dining Venues.


  • Continually supports shipboard ROYAL Way standards for Restaurant Operations in all venues, partnering with Shipboard to drive continuous improvement and to take corrective action when and where necessary, communicating as necessary with shoreside Directors and shipboard.


  • Provides leadership, guidance, coaching, support, and supervision to the Manager of Restaurant Operation, Senior Traveling Restaurant/F& B Operations Managers (STRM/TFBD) and other F& B operations Management to help accomplish department and brand goals, objectives, and to maximize output and business effectiveness.


  • Provides leadership, guidance, support, coaching to the Shoreside Dining Team.


  • Supervises and participates in developmental reviews and annual reviews of Senior Traveling Restaurant Managers (STRM) and all MD & ROM shipboard including, workplace safety, ILO and Time & Attendance, SQM, USPH compliance, managing hiring, terminations, and disciplinary actions as necessary.


  • Works closely with all members of the shore side Food & Beverage Operations Management Team to evolve Dining concepts, service styles, menus and any other work associated with Restaurants. Partners closely with the Senior Corporate Executive Chef and the Traveling Corporate Chef Team to ensure alignment in philosophies and direction, as well as establishing a strong support mechanism for all culinary/food production initiatives.


  • Supports all new building and Revitalization projects as well as new concept development and implementation in all capacities that involve Restaurant Operations including the development of new menus.


  • Manages all financial aspects of Restaurant Operations with a particular focus on fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability with our shipboard Leadership Teams. Develops budgets and forecasts for the departments and identifies product and operational efficiencies that drive cost reductions and product enhancements.


  • Works closely with shipboard management teams to actively place qualified management to the appropriate assignments, coordinates fleet leadership schedule and satisfies career development needs based on shipboard feedback on suitable candidates.


  • Provides oversight of Fleet-wide Restaurant Operations operational expenses, such, overtime payroll and consumable / replaceable expenses. Assists with expense reduction within Restaurant Operations.


  • Drives revenue platforms, sets and manages onboard revenue for Specialty restaurant targets. Monitors fleet Specialty revenue standing according to set targets. Reviews individual ships' revenue achievements on a regular basis. Maintains a good overview of specific venues and products for overall achievements and looks for possible adjustments towards better success.


  • Seeks operator feedback, visits ships and / or attends Operational Meetings to gain insight into potential enhancements of the operations and assists on developing future restaurant leaders.


  • Maintains a positive attitude for continuous improvement and imparts this culture on team members as well as other departments that touch F& B.


How to achieve success:

  • Possess a minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field of study.


  • Minimum of 10 - 15 years in a professional or supervisory position within the hospitality industry, including dining services or restaurant operations, where a quality standards program existed, was reviewed, and enforced.


  • Must have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in hospitality management general business management.


  • Speaks and writes English and demonstrated a high level of interpretative skills for oral, written, schematic, or diagrammed instructions.


  • Must have a working knowledge of personal computers within a Windows environment with e-mail, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and related printers and equipment.


  • Excellent interpersonal skills required with strong ability to communicate in a multicultural environment with all levels of employees and management.


  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and priorities.


  • Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 50% of the time) on trips of 2-14 days depending on itinerary.


  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.


  • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.


  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.


  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.


  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.


  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.


  • An understanding of FF& E direction and physical layout for restaurant operations.


We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group is a cruise vacation company with a global fleet of 63 ships traveling around the world. The company provides celebrity cruises and silversea cruises. Royal Caribbean Group was established in 1968 in Miami, Florida.

Royal Caribbean Group Careers

There has never been a more exciting time to explore job opportunities with Royal Caribbean Group, a leader in the global cruise industry known for innovation and excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Join Royal Caribbean Group's dynamic team to help redefine the travel experience for millions of guests worldwide. The company's commitment to growth and leadership in the cruise industry offers a unique platform for professionals to advance their careers. Transform the future of travel with Royal Caribbean Group, where diversity, innovation, and a passion for service converge to create extraordinary vacation experiences. Lead in a market where skills in technology, customer service, and operational excellence are prized. Royal Caribbean Group stands at the forefront of the travel industry, offering team members unparalleled opportunities for career advancement. Work alongside a global team of professionals dedicated to pioneering new paths in the cruise sector. Royal Caribbean Group fosters a culture of innovation and leadership, making it an ideal workplace for those aiming to make a significant impact.

Royal Caribbean Group Professional Pathways

The team is actively building a robust professional network, inviting individuals to master their career journey in the vibrant world of cruise travel.

Do Innovative Work

Engage with a diverse team at Royal Caribbean Group—professionals dedicated to reshaping the future of travel through continuous innovation and a deep understanding of the global travel market.

Drive Innovation and Leadership

Deliver targeted solutions and exceptional guest experiences by leveraging deep industry knowledge and a commitment to innovation that’s second to none.

Be Part of a Great Team

Join a workforce that thrives on collaboration and diversity. Royal Caribbean Group offers a variety of job opportunities that harness the capabilities of its expansive global network.

Future-proof Your Career

Royal Caribbean Group provides a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development, supported by comprehensive training programs and a commitment to promoting from within.

Explore

Discover how Royal Caribbean Group is leading the way in employee satisfaction and guest service, setting new standards in the cruise industry.

The Royal Caribbean Group Advantage

With a focus on diversity, leadership, and professional growth, Royal Caribbean Group helps team members navigate their careers in an ever-evolving industry. The company's global scale and commitment to innovation offer unmatched opportunities for career advancement.

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