Director of Food And Beverage

Idle Hour Country Club; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Relocation assistance negotiable

Professional development support

Job summary

Idle Hour Country Club in Louisville/ Lexington area seeks a Director of Food & Beverage to lead dining, beverage, and events with a focus on consistent, exceptional member experiences. This executive role builds the architecture, performance, and standards that govern all outlets, shifts, and seasons.

The role emphasizes leadership development, accountability, and operating discipline, partnering with Culinary, Service, Events, and Club leadership to embed hospitality into daily operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive food & beverage leadership experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within the private club industry required.
• Proven success leading multi-outlet F&B operations and large teams.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and forecasting.
• Experience with Jonas POS/accounting system preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferred.
• Food safety and alcohol service certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Club’s senior food & beverage authority and operational architect.
• Design, implement, and evolve systems that drive consistency across all dining outlets and events.
• Establish and uphold service, beverage, and execution standards across the operation.
• Build and maintain SOPs, training frameworks, and accountability structures.
• Ensure alignment between FOH and BOH to deliver seamless member experiences.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Service Director, F&B Manager, Events leadership, and outlet managers.
• Build a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear organizational structure, staffing models, and succession planning.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management systems.
• Serve as the leadership multiplier for the entire F&B department.

Skills

Leadership

F&B leadership

P&L management

Team development

Service standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Jonas POS

Job description

Founded in 1946, Idle Hour Country Club is a private, member-owned club defined by tradition, hospitality, and multi-generational community.

Dining is one of the most visible and meaningful ways our members experience the Club. As we enter a transformative period—including a major clubhouse and kitchen renovation—we are investing in leadership, systems, and standards that elevate consistency, experience, and long-term sustainability.

Our goal is clear: to position Idle Hour as a true dining destination while maintaining the warmth, familiarity, and trust that define private club hospitality.

Position Overview —

The Director of Food & Beverage is Idle Hour’s senior hospitality and operational leader, responsible for the full architecture, performance, and consistency of all dining, beverage, and event operations.

This is an executive-level leadership role focused on building systems, developing leaders, and ensuring that exceptional member experiences are delivered consistently—across all outlets, all shifts, and all seasons.

This is not a role that relies on daily heroics.

It is a role that builds clarity, accountability, and operational discipline into the system itself.

The Director of Food & Beverage partners closely with Culinary, Service, Events, and Club leadership to ensure that hospitality is not dependent on individuals—but embedded into how the Club operates.

Core Responsibilities —

• Serve as the Club’s senior food & beverage authority and operational architect
• Design, implement, and evolve systems that drive consistency across all dining outlets and events
• Establish and uphold service, beverage, and execution standards across the operation
• Build and maintain SOPs, training frameworks, and accountability structures
• Ensure alignment between FOH and BOH to deliver seamless member experiences
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Service Director, F&B Manager, Events leadership, and outlet managers
• Build a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement
• Establish clear organizational structure, staffing models, and succession planning
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management systems
• Serve as the leadership multiplier for the entire F&B department

Member Experience & Service Excellence

• Ensure consistent execution of Idle Hour’s hospitality standards across all touchpoints
• Monitor Dining Experience Survey feedback and implement structured improvement plans
• Establish and reinforce service recovery systems (H.E.A.T. model)
• Maintain a visible presence in dining spaces to stay connected to the member experience
• Partner with Membership and leadership to elevate engagement and satisfaction
• Own departmental P&L performance including revenue, labor, and cost controls
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed
• Oversee purchasing, inventory, and vendor relationships
• Ensure strong cash controls, reporting accuracy, and operational discipline

Beverage & Program Development

• Oversee wine, bar, and beverage programming across all outlets
• Partner with leadership on menu strategy, pricing, and product development
• Support innovation while maintaining consistency and profitability
• Ensure proper training and execution of beverage standards

Events & Revenue Optimization

• Oversee catering and banquet operations in partnership with Events leadership
• Ensure consistency of experience across a la carte dining and private events
• Align staffing, service models, and execution standards across all event formats
• Support strategic growth of F&B revenue through programming and experience design

Renovation & Strategic Transition Leadership

• Lead F&B operational strategy during clubhouse and kitchen renovation
• Design interim service models, staffing plans, and communication strategies
• Partner cross-functionally to protect the member experience during disruption
• Help architect the future-state F&B operation post-renovation
• Collaborate with Culinary, Golf, Racquets, and Membership teams to ensure alignment
• Support Board and committee communication related to F&B operations
• Contribute to long-range planning and Club-wide strategic initiatives
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty as part of the leadership team

Success Profile —

The ideal candidate is:

• A systems-driven leader who builds structure, not dependency
• A hospitality-first operator who understands how service makes people feel
• A leadership multiplier who develops strong teams and future leaders
• Calm, organized, and decisive in high-expectation environments
• Financially disciplined with a strong understanding of P&L management
• Energized by building something lasting, not just maintaining status quo

Qualifications —

• 10+ years of progressive food & beverage leadership experience
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within the private club industry required
• Proven success leading multi-outlet F&B operations and large teams
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and forecasting
• Experience with Jonas POS/accounting system preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferred
• Food safety and alcohol service certifications required

Compensation & Benefits —

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Annual performance bonus tied to KPIs
• Full benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401(k))
• Relocation assistance negotiable
• Continuing education and professional development support