Overview

Director Food & Beverage Development, Openings & Operations UKI&I (EUR015OK) is responsible for supporting and driving the commercial F&B performance of the UK, Ireland & Israel (UKI&I). The role delivers high-quality, profitable, innovative food and beverage concepts and solutions for both existing and pipeline managed hotels across all brands. The candidate will lead a regional F&B team, sit on the UKI&I ExCom representing F&B, and deliver the EMEA F&B strategy within the region in conjunction with the VP Food & Beverage Development and Strategy.

Location: Hilton - Regional Headquarters - Europe Maple Court, Central Park, Reeds Crescent Watford WD24 4QQ

Responsibilities

• Support the VP F&B Strategy to deliver the EMEA F&B Strategy, annual plan, and key business objectives.
• Partner with SVP/VP Operations to drive the performance of regional F&B.
• Lead and direct a team to support all managed properties in delivering agreed budgets, forecasts and commercial KPIs.
• Build and develop relationships within the wider industry to engage and support Hilton F&B strategy and vision.
• Partner with F&B Commercial Finance Director to identify trends and opportunities to maximize F&B performance across the region.
• Support Hilton’s commercial forecasts and annual budget process.
• Lead and direct a team to ensure all properties operate within Hilton brand standards, EMEA F&B Strategy, food safety, health & safety, compliance, and local legislative requirements.
• Lead and support a team to ensure hotel teams recruit and retain high-caliber F&B talent, with development programmes and succession planning in place.
• Deliver the Canvas model including full retail proposition, performance management, menu development, marketing and pricing.
• Lead involvement in recruitment and promotion of senior F&B personnel within hotel properties.
• Foster a culture of performance management with GMs and hotel property teams to maximize F&B performance.
• Lead on F&B initiatives such as ESG, technology innovation, F&B products, and compliance with Hilton or legislative requirements as they arise.
• Collaborate with the Senior Culinary Director to ensure food brand standards, prototypes, and concepts are relevant, commercial, innovative, and fit for purpose.
• Work with UK Operations and HSM to ensure bars are commercial and responsive to consumer trends; ensure prototypes are relevant and innovative.
• Coordinate with Brand Services & Product Development to ensure prototypes and bespoke concepts meet brand standards, owner requirements, and Hilton guests’ needs.
• Partner with HSM to ensure F&B purchasing drives best-in-class product, innovation, and commercial opportunities.
• Analyze F&B trends with the Brand team and incorporate them into Hilton F&B concepts where viable.
• Collaborate with Senior Marketing Director to align EMEA strategy on destination venues, pop-ups, innovation and digital marketing.
• Support and lead on F&B competitions and regional activities (e.g., Flavour & Flair, Roadshows, conferences).

Openings & Development

• Own the F&B Development process end to end, delivering relevant F&B concepts aligned with brand standards and ownership requirements that are commercially viable.
• Partner with Feasibility and Development to ensure F&B input is considered on all potential deals (Commercials, Brands and F&B concepts).
• Partner with Openings team to deliver all F&B concepts as per openings & development process.
• Collaborate with F&B Brand Services & Product Development to ensure all F&B programming is brand-aligned, owner-focused, commercially viable, and innovative.
• Work with F&B Business Development to program and launch successful third-party concepts.
• Support Openings & Hotel Property teams in launching new F&B concepts.

What are we looking for?

• Proven track record of F&B experience within hotels, independent or retail sectors.
• Strong knowledge of F&B concept creation, project management and openings.
• Good knowledge of front-of-house and back-of-house equipment, layouts, and operating equipment.
• Strong networker and first-class communicator with excellent relationship-building skills.
• First-class commercial skills; thorough understanding of F&B P&L and driving commercial performance in hotel, independent or retail F&B.
• Strong leadership skills and a passion for food & beverage.
• Understanding of F&B trends, marketing, and PR; knowledge of technology within F&B; appreciation of F&B digital media; awareness of social media trends.
• Passionate about ESG in F&B.
• Minimum Education: Degree or equivalent or clear evidence of progression in hospitality, F&B, or retail; mix of corporate and independent F&B experience desirable.
• Experience as an F&B Regional Director or equivalent at company level.
• Experience leading teams or projects with multiple stakeholders at various levels.
• Fluent in English; strong commercial acumen, analytical and P&L proficiency.
• PC self-sufficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with social media platforms for F&B is a benefit.
• Experience in the UKI&I market is desirable.

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. Our vision is to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, uniting us as a team to create remarkable experiences for guests worldwide. Our Team Members are at the heart of it all.