How to hire a director of food and beverage

How to hire a director of food and beverage, step by step

Here's a step-by-step director of food and beverage hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a director of food and beverage job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new director of food and beverage
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a director of food and beverage do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The director of food and beverage hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A director of food and beverage's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, directors of food and beverage from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of director of food and beverage salaries for various roles:

   Type of Director Of Food And Beverage	Description	Hourly rate
   Director Of Food And Beverage	Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. They direct staff to ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience, and they manage the business to ensure that it is profitable.	$30-59
   Operating Partner	An operating partner coordinates a portfolio company's efforts and serves as the liaison between private equity firms. They typically assess and manage teams, set objectives, establish guidelines and timelines, conduct market research and analyses, and assist teams in developing various operational strategies... Show more	$26-75
   Catering Manager	Catering managers are responsible for managing the daily catering operations and services in hotels, restaurants, and resorts. They monitor the quality of food and service provided by their outlets as well as make sure they are presented well... Show more	$17-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Customer Service
   • Culinary
   • BARS
   • Beverage Operations
   • Guest Service
   • Room Service
   • Food Service
   • Payroll
   • Banquet Facilities
   • Beverage Outlets
   • Fine Dining
   • Menu Development
   • Quality Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Achieve established individual catering sales goals and assist team in achieving departmental booking goals.
   • Lead the implementation of a POS system that integrate mission-critical corporate data to achieve improve planning and management.
   • Lead development of catering programs for Marriott's full service brands.
   • Create reports, budgets and revenue forecast in Delphi in order to maintain and manage an efficient department.
   • Used Marriott computer applications to manage and administer events.
   • Manage and monitor daily operational duties of full service dining room for patients including creating and maintaining department budget.

   More director of food and beverage duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your director of food and beverage job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A director of food and beverage can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, directors of food and beverage' average salary in alaska is 39% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level directors of food and beverage 49% less than senior-level directors of food and beverage.
   • Certifications. A director of food and beverage with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a director of food and beverage's salary.

   Average director of food and beverage salary

   $88,654yearly

   $42.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level director of food and beverage salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average director of food and beverage salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$109,561	$53
   2	Nevada	$104,858	$50
   3	Massachusetts	$103,183	$50
   4	New York	$102,697	$49
   5	District of Columbia	$101,951	$49
   6	North Carolina	$93,621	$45
   7	Washington	$92,902	$45
   8	Illinois	$92,398	$44
   9	Georgia	$90,161	$43
   10	Pennsylvania	$89,339	$43
   11	Hawaii	$88,723	$43
   12	Vermont	$87,191	$42
   13	Virginia	$85,845	$41
   14	Arizona	$85,248	$41
   15	Maine	$84,676	$41
   16	South Carolina	$83,306	$40
   17	Louisiana	$83,229	$40
   18	Oregon	$82,484	$40
   19	Ohio	$80,864	$39
   20	Minnesota	$80,699	$39

   Average director of food and beverage salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	MUFG EMEA	$125,330	$60.25
   2	Veeva Systems	$103,737	$49.87
   3	J.F. Shea Co	$100,083	$48.12	16
   4	Black & Veatch	$100,064	$48.11
   5	Ingredion	$95,046	$45.70	2
   6	HMSHost	$94,596	$45.48	101
   7	Aramark	$94,501	$45.43	2,468
   8	World Wildlife Fund	$91,821	$44.14
   9	Goodwin Recruiting	$89,062	$42.82	2
   10	Sensei Project Solutions	$89,044	$42.81
   11	The Peninsula	$89,044	$42.81
   12	Lines	$89,040	$42.81
   13	Dtr Holdings Llc	$88,986	$42.78
   14	Pacific Hospitality Group	$88,827	$42.71	11
   15	Benchmark Group	$88,785	$42.69
   16	Live Nation Entertainment	$88,408	$42.50	25
   17	Proper Hospitality	$87,329	$41.99	14
   18	Aimbridge Hospitality	$87,220	$41.93
   19	Woodbridge Golf & Country Club	$87,025	$41.84	1
   20	Auberge Resorts Collection	$86,676	$41.67	34

4. Writing a director of food and beverage job description

   A director of food and beverage job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a director of food and beverage job description:

   Director of food and beverage job description example

   The beautifully renovated Embassy Suites by Hilton Milpitas - located in the Silicon Valley is seeking an innovative and creative
   Director of Food and Beverage to lead the team.
   
   The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader focusing on the development of the team as well as the financial results of the operation. You will be responsible for our outlets (farm to table concept TASTE Restaurant, In Room Dining, Breakfast Service, Complimentary Reception) as well as our banquet department in this 267 room hotel with 8500 square feet of meeting space.
   
   What will I be doing?
   Plan and direct the functions of administration and planning of the Food & Beverage department to meet the daily needs of the operation. Clearly describe, assign and delegate responsibility and authority for the operation of the various food and beverage sub-departments such as room service, restaurants, banquets, kitchens, stewards, etc. Monitor and, when necessary, develop and implement schedules for the operation of all restaurants and bars to achieve a profitable result. Participate with the chef in the creation and merchandising of attractive menu designs to attract a pre-determined customer market. Implement effective controls of food, beverage and labor costs among all sub-departments and monitor the food and beverage budget to ensure efficient operation and that expenditures stay within budget limitations, including achieving budgeted revenue and labor expenses. Establish and achieve predetermined profit objectives and desired standards of quality food, service, cleanliness, merchandising and promotions. Maximize food and beverage department profitability. Regularly review and evaluate the degree of customer satisfaction of the individual outlets, including banquet service, to recommend new operating and marketing policies whenever a change in demand, customer dissatisfaction, or a a change in competitive environment requires such changes. Investigate and resolve food quality and service complaints. Develop, along with assistance from department heads, operating tools necessary and incidental to modern management principles such as budgeting, forecasting, purchase specifications, recipes, portion specifications, menu abstracts, food production control, job descriptions, etc. Ensure compliance with all Hilton Hotels Corporation policies and procedures that relate to food and beverage, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
   What are we looking for?
   
   Since being founded in 1919, Hilton has been a leader in the hospitality industry. Today, Hilton remains a beacon of innovation, quality, and success. This continued leadership is the result of our Team Members staying true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. Specifically, we look for demonstration of these Values:
   Hospitality - We're passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences. Integrity - We do the right thing, all the time. Leadership - We're leaders in our industry and in our communities. Teamwork - We're team players in everything we do. Ownership - We're the owners of our actions and decisions. Now - We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline
   In addition, we look for the demonstration of the following key attributes:
   Quality Productivity Dependability Customer Focus Adaptability
   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. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our vision "to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day. And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!
   
   The Benefits - Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture ranking #2 Best Company To Work For in the U.S.
   
   We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members so they can Thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and inclusive environment, thanks to innovative programs and benefits such as:
   Access to your pay when you need it through DailyPay Health insurance Career growth and development Team Member Resource Groups Recognition and rewards programs Go Hilton travel discount program Best-in-Class Paid Time Off (PTO) Supportive parental leave Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) - purchase Hilton shares at 15% discount Debt-free education : Access to a wide variety of educational credentials (ex. college degrees, high school completion, English-language learning, digital literacy, professional certificates and more)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find directors of food and beverage for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your director of food and beverage job on Zippia to find and recruit director of food and beverage candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting directors of food and beverage requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new director of food and beverage

   Once you've selected the best director of food and beverage candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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