Director of Hospitality

POSITION PURPOSE

Blau & Associates is seeking a driven, intelligent, highly capable individual with a passion for hospitality and food & beverage.

This is a rare opportunity to join an elite, internationally renowned consulting firm with clients across the hospitality industry.

This individual will work directly with ownership and the executive team; developing strategy, creative direction, project management, restaurant development as well as operational support, and diverse marketing.

This role is an onsite position with extensive travel opportunities.

WHO ARE YOU

You are a leader by nature, yet humble and always looking to learn. You are creative, analytical, and enjoy working both independently and in partnership with others.

You have a background in operations and a love of food & beverage. You have strong writing and communications skills. You work hard and smart, perform well (if not best) under pressure and have a constant desire to collaborate.

REQUIREMENTS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the below and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job :

• Strong organizational, communication, time management and interpersonal skills
• Efficient, reliable, and analytical, yet a creative out-of-the-box thinker
• Excellent writing skills with high proficiency in eloquently speaking, reading and understanding the English language
• Appreciation for and experience in food and beverage, working knowledge of restaurant and hotel operations
• Comfortable with and ideally thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with instinct to multi-task
• Ability to break down data and establish appropriate action plans
• Should enjoy and work well in a team environment while maintaining deadlines autonomously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, with working knowledge of Adobe

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Hospitality, Development, and F&B Consulting

• Deliver full range of consulting work including writing proposals, navigating RFP process, fulfilling deliverables, and delivering presentations
• Consistent communication with diverse client portfolio including hotels, restaurants, master developments, food halls, and corporate campus clients
• Execute written work, creative direction, research, and coordination for Strategy Assessment and Concept Development
• Perform Project Management functions for openings, rebrands, and renovations
• Perform business and creative writing for client deliverables and operations
• Create and manage client critical paths and pro-forma
• Collaborate on market and competitive set analysis as well as other relevant research
• Maintain and advance aesthetic, design, and content of deliverables, consistently upholding brand standards
• Provide administrative, operational and logistical support as needed
• Additional duties as necessary and assigned

Leadership and Operations

• Uphold current and develop new SOPs, KPIs, and internal initiatives to drive team efficiency and productivity and client retention
• Recruit, hire, develop, lead, and perform basic Human Resources functions for team members across the organization
• Manage implementation and integration of new initiatives, systems, and platforms
• Responsible for support team members and third party firms including but not limited to Marketing, PR, Special Events, Development, and Finance & Accounting
• Acts as liaison and ensures quality relationships with vendors and contractors

Restaurants

• Collaborate with ownership on oversight in company owned restaurants
• Offer operational support for events, holidays, and as needed
• Oversee critical paths processes for seasonal and special events
• Create annual budget and staffing compendium with ongoing monthly oversight of P&L and forecasting
• Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with restaurant teams for marketing initiatives with ROI as top priority
• Manage third party website developer and maintain SEO and SEM achievement
• Liaise with concierges and influencers

Marketing and Brand Management

• Craft concept narratives, positioning statements, and general brand writing for campaigns, public relations, speaking engagements, website, and digital marketing content
• Build strategic partnerships with aligned businesses and community organizations for philanthropy and cross-promotion
• Supervise and create social media, public relations and marketing initiatives with constant goal of increased engagement and loyalty with followers and database
• Manage social media and public relation third party firms

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and / or Business highly preferred
• Minimum 10 years of food & beverage experience in restaurant and / or hotel, with progressive development
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage operations, with beverage program curation experience a plus
• Experience with marketing strategy, social media, and digital campaigns
• Familiarity with startups and multi-tasking as part of cross-functional team preferred
• Willing to travel nationally and internationally
• Flexible working schedule including weekends and holidays

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Most tasks are performed indoors, temperature usually moderate and controlled by environmental systems
• Must be able to sit, stand, and / or walk for long periods of time
• Must be able to efficiently maneuver between functions occurring simultaneously
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally
• Possess manual dexterity to use and operate technological, operational, and possibly additional equipment

COMPENSATION

Starting salary : Salary commensurate on experience, with annual performance-based bonus

BENEFITS

• Competitive health benefits upon 1st day of 2nd month
• Company dining discount plan

ABOUT BLAU & ASSOCIATES

Blau & Associates is a boutique development consulting firm working across food & beverage and hospitality, routed in restaurant operations.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada and founded by Elizabeth Blau in 2002, this boutique group is focused on providing strategic solutions with a dynamic, operations-oriented approach to their clients.

With a small team and a unique skill set combining significant past and present operations experience with analytics and market research, Blau & Associates is one of the most respected consulting groups in their industry.

Blau & Associates’ current operations include the flagship Honey Salt, Buddy V’s at The Venetian, Crown Block in Dallas, as well as all the restaurants and food & beverage programming at The Parq, Vancouver.