Director of Beverage & Food - W London

Job description

Are you ready to take the reins of a vibrant and energetic team in one of London's most exciting hotels? W London is looking for a passionate, creative, and motivated Director of Beverage & Food to lead our dynamic team and elevate our guest experience to new heights.

Located in Soho, W London owns the stage in the epicentre of the city’s cultural core. Plugged in to the pulse of London’s energetic social scene, this is where louder-than-life Soho mixes with the glitzy West End.

What will you be doing?

Managing Day-to-Day Operations:

·  Develop and execute a beverage and food operating strategy that aligns with the brand's business strategy.
·  Supervise daily beverage and food shift operations, ensuring compliance with all policies, standards, and procedures.
·  Oversee staffing levels to meet guest service, operational needs, and financial objectives.
·  Lead the development and implementation of an effective order and purchase strategy for equipment and supplies.
·  Supervise and manage the monthly self-inspection program to ensure quality standards.

Developing and Maintaining Food and Beverage/Culinary Goals:

·  Set clear expectations and hold the food and beverage leadership team accountable for demonstrating desired service behaviors.
·  Review financial reports and statements to evaluate food and beverage performance against budget and make necessary improvements.
·  Recommend funding for food and beverage equipment and renovations in line with the brand's strategy.
·  Collaborate with the food and beverage leadership team to identify concerns and create strategies for improving financial performance.
·  Establish realistic and challenging goals to guide performance and operational efficiency.

Developing and Maintaining Budgets:

·  Develop and manage the food and beverage budget to ensure financial targets are met or exceeded.
·  Monitor actual and projected sales to identify opportunities to maximize revenue.
·  Ensure adherence to cash control and liquor control policies across all food and beverage areas.
·  Focus on maintaining profit margins while ensuring excellent guest and employee satisfaction.

Leading Food and Beverage/Culinary Team:

·  Utilise interpersonal and communication skills to inspire, influence, and support the team to achieve success.
·  Build trust, respect, and cooperation among team members and lead by example.
·  Lead with creativity and motivate the team to explore new business opportunities, improving profitability and driving innovation.
·  Foster regular communication through shift handover meetings, department meetings, and ongoing team interactions.
·  Establish open, collaborative relationships with the entire food and beverage team and ensure direct reports follow suit.
·  Identify developmental needs and provide coaching and mentoring to enhance team performance and skills.
·  Stay ahead of market trends and introduce new food and beverage offerings to exceed guest expectations and maintain a competitive market position.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service:

·  Deliver above-and-beyond service that drives customer satisfaction and retention.
·  Continuously improve service by coaching team members to understand guest needs and provide personalized service.
·  Review guest satisfaction feedback, including comment cards and surveys, to identify areas for improvement.
·  Empower the team to deliver excellent guest service while balancing profit with service satisfaction.

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities:

·  Guide and direct subordinates, setting performance standards and monitoring their performance.
·  Coach and support the food and beverage leadership team to manage wages, costs, and expenses effectively.
·  Hire and develop leaders who demonstrate expertise, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit to meet business needs.
·  Set clear goals and expectations for direct reports, holding them accountable for successful performance.
·  Foster open communication within the team, ensuring all questions and concerns are addressed.

What are we looking for?

·  Ability to drive a young, energetic team to deliver exceptional results.
·  Passion for liberated luxury and a strong understanding of the W brand’s bold and vibrant ethos.
·  Proven food and beverage background with a track record of managing high-energy teams.
·  A creative mindset with a flair for innovation and bringing fresh ideas to the table.
·  A motivator who leads by example and inspires the team to exceed expectations.
·  Familiarity with the London food and beverage scene and a deep understanding of market trends to stay ahead of the competition.

Your benefits at W London

·  Meals  - Tasty and Varied Complimentary Meals in our Green Room canteen.
·  Bonus Plan Eligible
·  Service Charge -  Paid each month! 
·  Learning and Growing -  Access to the best digital and classroom based training resources and cross exposure opportunities
·  Apprenticeships -  Opportunities to undertake an apprenticeship to support your development in your role.
·  Holiday - 23 days of holiday excluding public holidays (increase to 27 days with length of service
·  Company Pension   Scheme –  Save for your future.
·  Take Care -  Access to our Take Care Emotional Wellbeing Resources & Associate Assistance Service
·  Celebrate  - Awards and Recognition Celebrations
·  BenefitHub - Access to further discounts for shopping, cinema tickets, technology and more!
·  Events -  Monthly Calendar of Associate Focused & Fun Events
·  Long Service Recognition - Dedicated appreciation events for when you reach career milestones within the company.
·  Global Marriott Hotel Discounts – Accessible to you and your loved ones, travel the world with Marriott International.
·  Food & Beverage Discounts - 20% Discount in all F&B outlets within Marriott Properties
·  Spa Discounts  – 30% discount in our Away Spa

To be considered for this role, all applicants must have a valid right to work in the United Kingdom.

W London is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

W Hotels’ mission is to Ignite Curiosity, Expand Worlds. We are a place to experience life. We’re here to open doors and open minds. We are constantly inspired by new faces and new experiences. A tuned-in, up-for-anything spirit is at our core and has made us renowned for reinventing the norms of luxury around the globe. Whatever/Whenever is our culture and service philosophy that brings our guests’ passions to life. If you are original, innovative, and always looking towards the future of what’s possible, welcome to W Hotels. In joining W Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin  your purpose,  belong  to an amazing global​ team, and  become  the best version of you.