Hotel Operations Manager

Step into a leadership role at one of Northern Ireland's most acclaimed boutique hotels. At Bishops Gate Hotel, we blend luxury, heritage, and modern hospitality to create unforgettable guest experiences. As we continue to exceed expectations in service and dining, we're seeking an exceptional Operations Manager to lead and elevate all aspects of our food and beverage services across the hotel. This is not just a management role; it's a chance to shape the culinary identity of a prestigious property.

Your Purpose in This Role:

As the Operations Manager, you will be the driving force behind all F&B departments, responsible for both day-to-day performance and long-term strategic success whilst supporting the other departments within the hotel. You'll work closely with the General Manager and the wider leadership team to deliver outstanding guest experiences while achieving key financial goals. You will be instrumental in ensuring operational excellence, inspiring team leadership, strong supplier partnerships, and a refined, consistent product across every outlet.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Excellence & Guest Experience: Lead all food & beverage outlets, ensuring consistent, exceptional service across restaurant, bar, and event operations. Drive and maintain the highest standards of hospitality, guest satisfaction, and product quality in every touchpoint of the F&B journey. Oversee daily service delivery, ensuring smooth execution and rapid response to challenges or guest needs. Act as the face of F&B operations, engaging with guests, resolving concerns, and building guest loyalty through proactive, professional service.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, train, mentor, and manage a motivated and professional F&B team, including HODs, supervisors, and service staff. Develop clear succession plans and growth pathways for team members. Conduct regular training sessions on service standards, hospitality skills, health & safety, and food knowledge. Foster a high-energy, respectful, team-focused culture where feedback is encouraged and performance is recognized.
• Financial & Strategic Oversight: Collaborate with the General Manager and Finance Director on budgets, forecasts, and monthly performance reviews. Monitor and control food and beverage costs, manage supplier contracts, negotiate pricing, and ensure agreed GP margins are met. Analyse and react to business trends, implementing innovative strategies to drive profitability while enhancing the guest experience. Support payroll planning, ensuring staffing is aligned with forecasted revenues.
• Product & Brand Innovation: Work with the Executive Head Chef to maintain and evolve the restaurant and event menus in line with guest feedback, seasonality, and culinary trends. Coordinate with Sales & Events teams to deliver flawless private dining, weddings, and corporate events. Evaluate and introduce new service concepts, bar offerings, or dining experiences to keep the hotel's F&B offerings current, creative, and competitive. Champion sustainability and local sourcing initiatives, reinforcing the hotel's values and community connections.
• Health, Safety & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with licensing laws, hygiene regulations, allergen policies, and health & safety procedures. Maintain meticulous records for audits, training, and statutory obligations across all F&B departments. Conduct regular quality and cleanliness inspections across all service areas, back of house, and storage.

Who You Are:

• A proven F&B leader with 3+ years in a senior food & beverage management role, ideally within a high-end hotel or hospitality group.
• Passionate about creating memorable guest experiences, with an eye for detail and a proactive, service-led mindset.
• A hands-on operator who leads by example and thrives in fast-paced, guest-facing environments.
• Commercially astute with strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• A team builder and mentor, skilled in coaching and developing talent.
• Confident in managing high-volume operations, events, and luxury service environments.
• Proficient in relevant hotel and F&B systems (e.g. HOTSoft, Volante) and comfortable using performance data to guide decision-making.
• Knowledgeable in current food trends, licensing laws, health & safety, and food hygiene legislation.

What We Offer:

• A senior role within a highly respected and award-winning hotel.
• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• A supportive, forward-thinking management team.
• Extensive opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Staff meals, uniform, wellness support, and other employee perks.
• A creative, inclusive environment where your ideas and leadership will make a real impact.