Director of Food and Beverage in Crieff

Be part of the Family. We’re a family business through and through – family owned since 1868, family run and with a warm family welcome for guests and team alike. Our seven hotels are unique and set in three stunning Scottish locations. Some are big, some are small, but all offer fantastic food and drink, cozy beds and a wealth of things to do. We offer an expansive range of benefits to help you make the most of life outside of work, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels heard and valued. We treat our guests like family, and we support our people the same way. If you’re someone who lives our values of Be Creative, Be Curious, Be Thoughtful, Be Positive and Be You, you’ll fit right in.

Crieff Hydro Hotel is set in a 900-acre estate in stunning Perthshire. Home from home, we’ve been welcoming generations of families for 150 years. We have 215 hotel bedrooms, 55 self-catering lodges, six restaurants and over 60 onsite activities – there really is something for everyone! There are 7 food outlets on-resort and over 60 indoor and outdoor activities from high ropes to horses; quads to laser quest and tennis to trekking. We also have a major Childcare facility and a dozen conference rooms allowing us to undertake a big wedding programme as well as regular meetings and events for up to 600 people.

We’re interested in hearing from aspiring Director of Food and Beverage candidates, who are ready to step into a big role like this and also aspiring to be part of a wider senior team. Above all it will be about how your excellent leadership skills, commercial drive, passion and personal gravitas fit with a business with a unique history, culture and customer offer. This role is a perfect stepping stone for those hospitality enthusiasts looking to become a General Manager in the future. We’re looking to find someone who will combine their commerciality with a commitment to delivering both a great customer experience and the ability to lead, motivate, coach and engage the team. You’ll understand what it means to really “walk the talk” as a leader, be comfortable with being highly-visible and hands on. Evening and weekend work will be required; it is Hospitality after all. As well as your direct reports, you’ll also be skilled at building strong relationships with a wide range of other stakeholders from internal managers as well as external ones such as suppliers. Crieff Hydro is a high-profile business and you’ll be relaxed being in the spotlight whether that’s from customers old and new and the wider hospitality sector.

Key responsibilities for the role:

• Reporting directly to and working closely alongside our General Manager.
• Work with the relevant business partner teams to recruit, develop and motivate the right managers, team leaders and team members within the Crieff Hydro Resort Operation to drive both a great customer and team member experience.
• Deliver and develop the customer offer, in line with the Crieff Hydro brand and story, and work within family-wide supply-chain and operating standards/procedures.
• Manage and develop our key managers, who will be reporting directly to you, including the Executive Head Chef, the Private Dining and Events Manager and the Head of Food and Beverage.
• With high occupancy our norm there will be a particular emphasis on driving secondary spend hand-in-hand with further improving customer experience to increase return guest numbers and other relevant customer and revenue metrics.

What we’re looking for from you:

• You’ll have several years’ experience in a head of Food and Beverage Manager in a leadership or senior management role at relevant scale/complexity – ideally some of which would be in the independent and/or leisure/resort sector.
• You’ll be highly self-aware and able to articulate why you are highly regarded by your team, peers and customers.
• Previous responsibility to P&L level and hands-on involvement in all aspects of financial management from budgeting through the analysis, understanding, communication and acting upon results, risk and opportunities.
• This will go hand-in-hand with well-developed hands-on IT skills.
• You’ll have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to both lead and work within a team and motivate people to deliver a great performance.
• Experience of developing and coaching people and building teams within development and performance frameworks is also key to this role.
• You’ll have an understanding of current issues affecting Scottish tourism and the Resort sector generally – including changing population demographics, customer and employee trends and a knowledge of the social and economic environment.
• You will oversee the whole food and beverage operation with the Executive Head Chef, the Private Dining and Events Manager and the Head of Food and Beverage reporting to you.

What you’ll get from us:

• Live-in Accommodation – On-site, affordable housing with bills included may be available.
• Exclusive Discounts – Enjoy free leisure membership for you and a partner, 30% off retail, 50% of food and drinks, and reduced rates on hotel activities.
• Team Rate Hotel Stays – Take time to recharge with discounted stays at all of our hotels from just £30 per night.
• Refer a Friend Bonus – Earn up to £250-£500 for each successful team member or manager which you recommend to us.
• Guest Mention Rewards – Earn £5 every time a guest gives you a positive shoutout in a review.
• A Friendly & Supportive Team – Work in a fun, welcoming environment where team spirit and well-being are a priority.
• Career Progression – With seven hotels, multiple departments, and a wide range of roles, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and explore new career paths.
• Wellbeing Support – Get 24/7 confidential support via the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, covering mental health, finances, and more.
• Team Events & Annual Staff Party – We love to celebrate our people!

Please note: This opportunity does not qualify for sponsorship. To be considered for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK.