Director of Food and Beverage at The Manner

Who We Are

Sitting on a quiet tree-lined street in Soho, twelve floors rise above the neighborhood’s storied lofts, boutiques, and galleries.

The name derives from the particular manner of hospitality, one that feels more like staying at the home of a dear friend than at a hotel — discreet, refined, generous. Our hotel has 97 rooms and suites with four distinct F&B concepts led by an acclaimed chef. The street-side seafood restaurant and second floor cocktail bar will be venues that are open to the public. The Apartment and The Rooftop are spaces reserved exclusively for guests and friends of guests. While our hotel falls under the Hyatt's Unbound Collection portfolio of luxury hotels, it will be positioned as a wholly distinct and separate concept from The Standard with a different market positioning, design aesthetic, and service culture.

Purpose of the Role

Food and Beverage Director to lead and elevate our multi-outlet culinary program. This role oversees The Otter Restaurant, The Rooftop, Sloane’s, and our 24-hour Culinary Department, ensuring world-class service, operational excellence, and on-brand guest experiences across all venues.

As a member of the Executive Committee, this individual will contribute to the hotel’s overall strategic direction, aligning food and beverage operations with business goals while bringing a deep understanding of the fast-paced and competitive NYC hospitality landscape.

 Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Serve as a trusted member of the hotel’s Executive Committee, actively contributing to hotel-wide strategy, operations, culture, and brand development.
• Align food and beverage strategies with overall business goals, revenue targets, guest satisfaction metrics, and brand identity.
• Responsible for compiling and presenting monthly F&B financial updates/initiatives to key ownership partners
• Collaborate with ownership and corporate leadership (if applicable) to report on F&B performance, forecast trends, and propose capital improvement initiatives.
• Provide visionary leadership in defining and executing a long-term culinary direction that positions the hotel as a leading food & beverage destination in NYC.

Financial Management & Profit Optimization

• Develop, implement, and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans for each outlet.
• Analyze food and beverage cost reports, labor data, and revenue trends to identify areas of improvement or investment.
• Drive financial performance through cost controls, dynamic pricing strategies, vendor negotiation, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure accurate inventory systems, procurement standards, and par levels across all outlets.

Culinary & Beverage Innovation

• Work closely with the Executive Chef to craft menus and programs that reflect NYC dining trends, guest preferences, and brand identity.
• Regularly refresh offerings based on seasonality, local partnerships, and guest feedback.
• Lead the development and execution of creative programming — including chef's tastings, rooftop pop-ups, mixology classes, wine dinners, and local collaborations.
• Maintain high visual and sensory standards for all food and drink presentation.

Talent Development & Team Culture

• Recruit, onboard, train, and retain top F&B talent in a highly competitive NYC labor market.
• Create a culture of excellence, inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability across both front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Implement and oversee service standards, performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary protocols.
• Foster leadership development and internal promotions within the department.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Ensure all F&B outlets deliver consistently exceptional guest experiences, from ambiance and service flow to culinary execution and personalization.
• Resolve high-level guest concerns or service failures quickly and effectively.
• Establish and maintain clear service standards, training programs, and quality assurance measures across all outlets.
• Monitor and respond to guest feedback (in-person, online reviews, surveys) to implement service improvements and recoveries.

Event Support & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate with Sales, Events, and Marketing teams to support private dining, rooftop activations, weddings, corporate functions, and hotel programming.
• Oversee F&B components of all events and catering operations, ensuring coordination with kitchen and service staff.
• Participate in planning and execution of brand events, influencer activations, and press engagements involving food and beverage.

 Brand Development & Community Engagement

• Serve as a brand ambassador, both internally and externally, representing the hotel’s culinary voice to media, partners, and guests.
• Build and maintain relationships with local vendors, purveyors, chefs, and hospitality influencers to enhance the hotel's visibility and credibility in the NYC market.
• Identify opportunities for community involvement, sustainability initiatives, and strategic local collaborations.

 Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in food and beverage operations within New York City’s luxury hospitality or upscale restaurant sector. Microsoft office with emphasis in excel.
• Proven success overseeing multiple dining outlets with varied service styles (e.g., full-service restaurants, bars, rooftop venues, and in-room dining).
• Strong knowledge of NYC Department of Health (DOH) codes, food safety regulations, labor laws, and local sourcing best practices.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including experience managing large-scale budgets, controlling costs, analyzing P&L statements, and maximizing outlet profitability.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams with a strong focus on staff development, training, and retention in a competitive labor market.
• Experience collaborating with Sales, Marketing, Events, and Executive Leadership to support cross-functional goals.
• Deep understanding of NYC dining trends, guest expectations, and the city's competitive culinary landscape.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage complexity in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, Culinary Arts, or a related field.
• Experience launching, rebranding, or revitalizing F&B concepts in the New York City market.
• Familiarity with sustainability initiatives, local farm partnerships, and modern food systems.
• Certification in food safety (e.g., NYC Food Protection Certificate).
• Familiarity with modern POS systems, inventory and labor management software (e.g., Micros, Toast, SevenRooms, HotSchedules).

 Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time throughout the hotel and dining outlets.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally (e.g., inspecting inventory, assisting with event setups, moving supplies).
• Comfortable navigating multiple floors and outlets, including using stairs and elevators frequently throughout the day.
• Must have the ability to visually inspect food, beverage, service areas, and presentation for quality assurance.
• Comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor environments, including during rooftop service or events, in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work long or irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed to support service, events, or emergencies.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with guests, team members, and vendors across noisy or fast-paced environments.

 Compensation & Benefits

• Excellent and Affordable Health care coverage.
• Life Insurance& Disability Insurance
• 401k with Company match.
• PTO and Company recognized holidays.
• Employee Discounts on Rooms, F&B, Retail, and The Standard Marketplace.
• Employee Referral Program, Commuter Discounts.
• Fun staff events and celebrations!!!
• Competitive Salary