Compass

Vice President of Food and Beverage Hospitality Strategy - Churchill Downs

Compass • $145K — $155K *
Hospitality & Recreation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in senior-level food and beverage leadership roles
  • Experience in high-volume hospitality environments such as sports, entertainment, or convention centers
  • Proven track record of managing complex operations with substantial revenue responsibility
  • Deep financial expertise in budgeting, labor management, and profitability
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills for building client relationships and influencing executives
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large teams in fast-paced settings
  • Strategic mindset with a passion for guest experience and team development

Responsibilities

  • Lead hospitality operations for food and beverage services at Churchill Downs
  • Build strong partnerships with clients as a trusted advisor
  • Develop strategies to enhance guest experience and improve operational efficiency
  • Oversee financial performance including budgeting and forecasting
  • Provide guidance and development to a large management and hourly workforce
  • Ensure success of major events like the Kentucky Derby
  • Collaborate on innovation and business planning initiatives
  • Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

Benefits

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance/AD
  • Disability insurance
  • Retirement plan
  • Flexible time off plan
  • Paid parental leave
  • Holiday time off
  • Personal leave
  • Associate shopping program
  • Health and wellness programs
  • Discount marketplace
  • Identity theft protection
  • Pet insurance
  • Commuter benefits
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
Full Job Description
Salary: $145,000-$155,000

Job Summary

Levy is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Hospitality Strategy to lead food and beverage operations at Churchill Downs, one of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the country. This leader will oversee all hospitality operations, drive financial and operational excellence, and create exceptional guest experiences for marquee events, including the Kentucky Derby.

In this role, the Vice President of Hospitality Strategy will serve as the senior Levy leader on site, partnering closely with Churchill Downs leadership, internal Levy teams, and key stakeholders to deliver best-in-class service, innovative hospitality solutions, and strong business results.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead all premium, concessions, catering, culinary, warehouse, and event-day hospitality operations across Churchill Downs.
  • Build and maintain a strong partnership with the client, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic business partner.
  • Develop and execute operational strategies that enhance guest experience, improve efficiency, and drive revenue growth.
  • Oversee financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, cost controls, and profitability.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and development to a large management team and hourly workforce.
  • Ensure operational excellence for high-profile events, including the Kentucky Derby and other major race days and special events.
  • Collaborate with Levy regional and corporate teams on innovation, retail/product offerings, staffing strategy, service standards, and business planning.
  • Champion a culture of hospitality, accountability, inclusion, safety, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure compliance with company standards, health and safety requirements, alcohol service policies, and all applicable regulations.


Ideal Candidate Profile
  • Senior-level food and beverage leader with experience in sports, entertainment, hotels, resorts, convention centers, or high-volume hospitality environments.
  • Proven success managing complex, multi-unit operations with significant revenue responsibility.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, labor, cost of goods, forecasting, and profitability.
  • Exceptional communicator who is skilled at building client relationships and influencing at an executive level.
  • Experience leading large teams in fast-paced, high-profile, event-driven environments.
  • Strategic, hands-on, and adaptable leader who can balance big-picture planning with flawless execution.
  • Passionate about hospitality, guest experience, team development, and creating memorable moments.

Curious about Life at Levy? Check it out: Levy Culture

At Levy, team = family. And we'll always take care of family, learn more about Levy benefits offered.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off Plan
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Levy.pdf



Levy Sector

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BENAE GLICKMAN

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About Compass

Compass is a real estate technology company that provides an online platform for buying, selling, and renting real estate properties. The company was founded in 2012 by Ori Allon and Robert Reffkin and is headquartered in New York City. Compass has raised over $1.5 billion in funding and has expanded to over 350 offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company's platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help real estate agents better serve their clients and streamline the buying and selling process. Compass has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the world and has received numerous awards for its innovative technology and exceptional customer service.
Learn more about Compass
Size
19,000 employees
Market Cap
$910.4 million
Industry
Founded
1941
5 Year Trend
+102.9%
NASDAQ

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