Job Description For Director of Food & Beverage
FAIRMONT
Company Description
Experience the magic of working at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, a timeless Vancouver landmark known as the 'Castle in the City'. With its majestic chateau-style architecture, copper green roof, and historic gargoyles, this stunning hotel has been captivating visitors since 1939. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver on prestigious Georgia Street, the hotel is surrounded by a dynamic arts scene, vibrant shopping, exciting nightlife, and world-class dining. Join our cherished team, and be part of an unforgettable hospitality experience. You'll help create lasting memories for our guests in a setting that's as exceptional as you are!
Job Description
Director of Food & Beverage
Inspiring leadership. Impeccable standards. Historic elegance.
Step into a pivotal leadership role at the iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, a landmark of luxury since 1939. As Director of Food & Beverage, you will drive the strategic vision of our F&B division, championing operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and financial performance. This is a senior leadership role for an innovator with deep expertise in luxury hospitality, a passion for people, and the ability to inspire high-performing teams.
What is in It for You:
- An inclusive, empowering, and positive company culture where people are at the heart of everything we do
- Competitive compensation starting at $130,000 annually, with regular performance-based reviews, including eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus
- Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for those meeting eligibility requirements
- Company-matched pension plan, and Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan program access
- Paid time off: 20 vacation days annually (increasing with tenure), 12 statutory holidays, plus paid birthday leave
- TransLink travel reimbursement program
- Complimentary duty meals and dry-cleaning of business attire
- Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
- Colleague benefit card offering discounted room and food & beverage rates at Accor properties worldwide for you and your family
- Complimentary hotel stay for newly hired colleagues with breakfast for two through our BE OUR GUEST program
- Learning programs through our Academies designed to sharpen your skills
- Opportunities to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities
- The chance to have fun at work alongside passionate hospitality professionals who are committed to making the world a more welcoming place
- The opportunity to work in a luxury hotel environment within a Vancouver heritage building with a historic legacy dating back to 1939
What You'll be Doing:As Director of Food & Beverage, you'll be a key member of the Executive Committee, leading all aspects of the Food & Beverage division, including: Notch8 Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, In-Room Dining, Banquets & Events and Culinary & Stewarding Operations
Strategic Leadership & Business Performance
- Lead the strategic development and execution of all F&B operations in alignment with the hotel's five-year strategic plan, brand standards, and revenue goals.
- Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and outlet-level KPIs (e.g. average check, outlet profitability, labor productivity, and guest satisfaction metrics)
- Optimize operational efficiency and profitability through labor management, cost controls, inventory systems, and vendor relations.
- Drive innovation in F&B concepts, menus, and service models to remain ahead of luxury hospitality trends and guest expectations.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and regulatory standards (e.g., WorkSafeBC, Liquor Control & Licensing).
Guest Experience & Brand Standards
- Deliver exceptional, personalized guest experiences by cultivating a service culture rooted in emotional intelligence, empathy, and authentic connection.
- Maintain and elevate Fairmont and Accor brand standards, including implementation of the F&B Vision and brand-wide luxury touchpoints.
- Lead improvement initiatives based on guest feedback via Voice of Guest, mystery audits, and internal quality assurance processes.
People & Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, inclusive F&B leadership team with a focus on employee engagement, retention, and succession planning.
- Conduct regular performance conversations, coaching, and career pathing with Department Heads and key talent.
- Champion Fairmont's Service Culture, Heartist values, and diversity & inclusion initiatives within the F&B division.
- Foster a culture of recognition, transparency, and continuous improvement by facilitating regular departmental meetings, trainings, and celebrations.
Operational Excellence
- Maintain a visible presence in all F&B outlets, ensuring real-time support, standards compliance, and guest satisfaction.
- Partner with Culinary and Banquet teams to deliver memorable dining events and high-volume service with excellence and consistency.
- Lead F&B-related capital project planning, renovations, and equipment upgrades, ensuring ROI and brand enhancement.
- Leverage technology and systems (POS, inventory, digital menus, labor platforms) to drive innovation, efficiency, and guest convenience.
Sustainability & Compliance
- Champion sustainability initiatives in line with Accor's Planet 21 program, minimize waste, reduce single-use plastics, and source locally where possible.
- Build strong relationships with local suppliers, partners, tourism stakeholders, and the community to enhance the hotel's presence and impact.
- Lead departmental adherence to local and federal food safety laws and occupational health regulations.
Crisis & Risk Management
- Serve as a key member of the Hotel's Emergency Response Team (ERT) and support Executive Leadership in crisis planning, incident response, and communications.
- Ensure strict adherence to health & safety protocols, food safety regulations, and union agreements (where applicable).
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as a proactive liaison with internal departments, ownership representatives, and corporate stakeholders
- Represent Food & Beverage on hotel committees, audits, and executive planning meetings
- Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory authorities
Qualifications
What We're Looking For- Minimum 5 years of senior Food & Beverage leadership in a luxury hotel environment (as a Division or Department Head)
- Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and team leadership
- University degree or diploma in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field
- Strong understanding of unionized environments and collective agreements
- Deep knowledge of luxury dining trends, guest service delivery, and hospitality best practices
- Ability to lead by example, build relationships across functions, and drive cross-departmental collaboration
- Advanced analytical skills and ability to interpret data for strategic decision-making
- Strong emotional intelligence, coaching skills, and interpersonal communication
- Adaptability to evolving guest needs, technology, and market dynamics
- Passion for hospitality, innovation, and creating memorable experiences
Physical Aspects of Position (include but are not limited to): - Frequent walking and standing throughout the hotel, including kitchen, dining, banquet, and service areas
- Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving items (up to 30 lbs), such as service equipment, supplies, or presentation materials
- Ability to navigate stairs, ramps, and various operational areas, including back-of-house, kitchen, and service support areas
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-temperature environments for short periods during peak service times or special events
- May involve extended periods on the floor during events, service rushes, or inspections
- Occasional bending, kneeling, or reaching during operational walkthroughs or hands-on support to teams
This position requires a presence on the floor during peak service hours, events, and VIP functions, with flexibility to respond to operational needs outside standard business hours.
Additional Information
Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.
Why work for Accor? We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor's limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/
Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo!
#BELIMITLESS
Atithi Jaiswal
Mumbai, India