Director of Food & Beverage
- Full-time
- Job-Category: Food & Beverage
- Job Type: Permanent
- Job Schedule: Full-Time
Company Description
Our Brand / Sofitel
Emerging as a pioneering French luxury hospitality brand in 1964, Sofitel brings French zest and inspires heartfelt encounters to the most sought-after destinations worldwide. Seamlessly melding local culture with the French zest for life through remarkable savoir-faire and generous service, Sofitel is for free-minded travelers and arts and culture afficionados who have an appreciation for a refined and understated sense of modern luxury.
Our Hotel / Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema
A landmark for Sofitel in the Americas, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema re-emerges as a revitalized beachfront icon where French elegance meets the vibrant Carioca lifestyle. Designed as a sanctuary of art, craftsmanship, and sensory experiences, the hotel sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Rio de Janeiro.
The property features 172 rooms and suites with the signature Sofitel MyBed, refined art-filled interiors, and sweeping views of Two Brothers Hill. Guests enjoy elevated dining at the 22nd-floor Chef’s Table, a rooftop infinity pool, wellness spa, Beach Club, and the exclusive Club Millésime lounge for personalized service and private check-in.
Job Description
Strategic Leadership & Pre-Opening Lead the end-to-end pre-opening of all Food & Beverage operations, including multiple dining outlets, bars and events spaces — ensuring full operational readiness, brand alignment and a flawless launch experience that sets the tone for the hotel's positioning in the market.
Commercial Performance Drive the commercial success of the F&B division by identifying and capitalising on revenue opportunities, developing strategic pricing and programming initiatives, and working in close partnership with the Sales, Marketing and Revenue teams to maximise covers, spend per head and overall outlet performance.
Financial Accountability Hold full ownership of the F&B Profit & Loss, with responsibility for budget planning, cost control, productivity optimisation and margin management — without compromising the quality and guest experience standards expected of a Sofitel luxury property.
Culinary Partnership Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef to develop compelling, commercially viable menus that reflect the hotel's identity, celebrate local Brazilian gastronomy and maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation and consistency across all outlets.
Guest Experience Excellence Curate and deliver exceptional guest experiences across every F&B touchpoint, embedding Sofitel brand standards and creating memorable, distinctive moments that drive guest loyalty, reputation and repeat business.
People Leadership & Culture Recruit, inspire and develop a high-performing F&B team, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, continuous improvement and genuine hospitality. Champion the growth of talent from within and build a team that reflects the warmth and vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro.
Operational Presence Be a visible, hands-on and inspiring leader on the floor — setting the standard for service excellence, leading by example and creating a positive, motivated team culture that guests and colleagues feel from the moment they arrive.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as Director of Food & Beverage in a luxury 5-star or ultra-luxury hotel environment
- Demonstrated success in pre-opening or hotel opening projects
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering P&L results
- Passionate about gastronomy, beverage culture and the art of hospitality
- Exceptional leadership and people development skills
- Fluent in Portuguese & English, French is highly valued
- Deep understanding of luxury brand standards and guest experience expectations
- Knowledge of the Brazilian market and affinity with Rio de Janeiro's culture is a strong advantage