Director of Food & Beverage Operations

Talently; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Talently in Chicago seeks a Director of Food & Beverage Operations to lead bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations on-site. This role oversees daily F&B functions, focusing on the evening service, guest satisfaction, and brand standards across the property.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years in hotel F&B leadership, strong financial acumen, and the presence to engage owners and high-profile guests. Relocation is available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive F&B leadership experience in hotels.
• Experience leading bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations in a high-volume environment.
• A confident, mature leader who is comfortable presenting to ownership and high-profile guests.
• Working knowledge of labor, budgets, and financial performance.
• A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations, with a strong focus on the evening service period.
• Set clear service standards, keep the practices that work, and refine the ones that don’t.
• Drive guest satisfaction and grow the space’s energy and awareness year-round, beyond peak event days.
• Coach, develop, and hold the team accountable with an approachable, professional leadership style.
• Partner with the Director of Operations on budgets, labor, and P&L performance.
• Collaborate with culinary and hotel leadership on events and guest programming.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, safety regulations, and company policies.

Skills

Hotel F&B

Bar Operations

Banquets & Events

Restaurant Operations

Lifestyle Hotels

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equal education

Job description

Job Title: Director of Food & Beverage Operations

Location: On site, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Salary: $90,000- $100,000 + 35% bonus + relocation available

Skills: Hotel Food & Beverage, Bar Operations, Banquets & Events, Restaurant Operations, Lifestyle Hotels, Team Leadership

About the Opportunity

An award-winning lifestyle hotel on Chicago’s North Side is looking for its next Director of Food & Beverage Operations. It’s one of its brand’s top-performing hotels. This front-of-house leadership role oversees bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations.

This is a department head role with a strong, well-supported team in place. You’ll work alongside a long-tenured, highly collaborative executive team that invests in its leaders. It’s an ideal next step for a proven F&B leader who is ready for a great department head seat.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations, with a strong focus on the evening service period.
• Set clear service standards, keep the practices that work, and refine the ones that don’t.
• Drive guest satisfaction and grow the space’s energy and awareness year-round, beyond peak event days.
• Coach, develop, and hold the team accountable with an approachable, professional leadership style.
• Partner with the Director of Operations on budgets, labor, and P&L performance.
• Collaborate with culinary and hotel leadership on events and guest programming.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, safety regulations, and company policies.

Must-Have Skills

• 4+ years of progressive F&B leadership experience in hotels.
• Experience leading bar, banquets & events, and restaurant operations in a high-volume environment.
• A confident, mature leader who is comfortable presenting to ownership and high-profile guests.
• Working knowledge of labor, budgets, and financial performance.
• A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Lifestyle or boutique hotel experience.
• A strong bar or beverage background.
• Experience within a major hotel brand portfolio.