Corporate Relations Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Portsmouth, NH

Hay Creek Hotels is actively searching for an experienced, industry-driven, and self-motivated Corporate Food and Beverage Director join our diverse team.

The Corporate F&B Director will be responsible for the direction and oversight of new build restaurants and event space within our growing hotel portfolio, leading new initiatives in our current F&B spaces, monitoring all F&B financials within the company and providing support and guidance to property-level directors on pro-active revenue development and reaction strategies, and maintaining brand consistency through creation and maintaining of service standards and processes. This candidate will act as a liaison between ownership, third party development teams, corporate team members, and property level operations managers. The right candidate will feel comfortable making executive decisions and representing the HCH F&B brand fully.

As our property-level F&B managers’ greatest support and a key liaison for task force needs, this role requires frequent task force and travel to a variety of outlets, both within and outside of New England. Anticipated travel of 80% is expected. Remaining workload can be performed remote, with some presence in the HCH Corporate Offices in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Job Summary:

• Directly supervise HCH Corporate F&B Support Manager and HCH Corporate Executive Chef.
• Work closely with HCH Executive Support Team to develop consistencies, provide effective tools, assess efficiencies, and provide overall support to all front and back of house F&B functions at each Hay Creek managed property.
• Continue to implement standardized processes company-wide through the development of written SOPs.
• Take responsibility for the financial success of F&B departments (both Front and Back of house), through proactive revenue review, proper forecasting, engaging new marketing and promotion initiatives, regular review of property level budgets, and identifying trends, concerns, and implementing reactionary adjustments with property GMs and managers.
• Assist Property F&B Directors in the management of operating costs, effective scheduling, managing inventory, controlling and logging expenses, understanding budget, and overall systems and controls.
• Provide ongoing F&B sales and marketing strategies to capitalize market; i.e.; menu design, print and web advertisements, live entertainment, packages, daily/weekly food & beverage promotions, employee sales incentives, monthly calendars, e-blasts, social media platforms, etc. Assist in cross-communication to encourage creative promotions, innovative ideas, etc.
• Lead all F&B training initiatives. Ensure pre-opening training expectations are met, as well as ongoing monitoring of training standards on the property level.
• Assist property level F&B managers in the successful departmental operations of restaurant, bar, room service, and banquets.
• Work closely with property level F&B Managers and Director of Sales to ensure all banquet and event standards are met. Continue to develop standardized processes for banquet execution and elevated operations in this area.
• Frequent communication with each property manager, ensuring needs and resources are met. Coach and develop property managers in conjunction with General Manager.
• Act as a Hay Creek F&B representative in all recruiting and staffing efforts, including attending Career Fairs, developing internal candidates, and providing support to properties that require assistance when short staffed, entering peak season, etc.
• Research and assess industry technologies that will create efficiencies and cost-saving solutions. Make suggestions to Corporate level for consideration.
• Become familiar with all F&B/Ops systems including labor management systems, shift communication technologies (Avero), multiple point of sale brands (Aloha/Micros), reservations systems (Open Table), and costing resources. Take the lead on maximizing these systems, training on proper use, and exploring efficiencies.
• Oversee Single Platform menu management. Ensure property-level websites and hosted menus are brand consistent and updated at all times.
• Oversee and assist all Property F&B Directors in the management of all Point of Sale (POS) system maintenance, providing assistance when necessary.
• Work closely with property-level Chefs to enhance menus, provide positive and collaborative menu feedback, promote creativity, and assist in proper costing, labor management, and ordering controls. Direct and work closely with Corporate Executive Chef to monitor and excel back of house operations.
• Frequent travel to each Hay Creek property based on service/support needs.
• Act as F&B leader for all task force initiatives, specifically for new builds and acquisitions.

Hay Creek offers an extensive benefit and incentive package, including;

• Insurance Benefit package including company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness plans*
• Free Life Insurance of $25K from HCH*
• Tax-free Flex Spending Accounts for Medical Costs and Daycare Costs*
• Wellcard membership (up to 60% discounts on prescriptions, gym memberships, and more).*
• Competitive Paid Time Off including Vacation, Sick, Holiday Pay, and Personal Birthday*
• Complimentary Staff Meals Daily
• Weekly payroll schedule
• Competitive Wages with Cost of Living Adjustments and Annual Performance/Wage Reviews
• Lodging Discounts at any HCH Property (Employee forty-nine per night, Friends & Family eighty nine per night)
• Dining Discounts at any HCH Property (50% off food for employee and guests)
• Spas, Golf Course, and Activities Discounts at any HCH Property
• Hospitality Discounts from our partners at the New England Inn & Resort Association and Historic Hotels of America
• Industry Travel Discounts through Working Advantage (rental cars, event tickets, local activities, etc.)
• Supportive Culture that is fun and motivating, with open-door policy work environment
• Employee Recognition Program through 'Delight Dollars' appreciation and prizes
• Employee Assistance Program including 24/7 confidential support and KOFE financial education
• Accelerated Career Advancement of professional enrichment, company-sponsored conferences & classes, and our formal Professional Development Program for new managers in training.
• Free Parking

(*for eligible associates classified as benefits eligible)

About Hay Creek Hotels:

Founded in 2005, Hay Creek Hotels was created specifically to combine the intimacy of a boutique hotel with world-class cuisine, cutting-edge technology, unparalleled guest service and the exclusive amenities of a luxury inn. At Hay Creek Hotels, our passion is to pioneer superior service and inspire excitement within the small, independent hotel sector: to "Delight & Surprise" our guests every day. These values are driven by the idea that the best hotels and restaurants are the ones that draw on the spirit, culture and character of their locales. From meticulously renovated historic properties to exciting new-build hotels, we offer some of the most unique and interesting lodging and dining destinations in the United States. Our hotels and resorts are designed to reflect their respective neighborhoods and serve as good neighbors by participating in community events and causes. Through environmentally responsible design and day-to-day management, we adhere to best practices for sustainable operations at every location.

Bringing a hyper-local focus to the hotel dining experience, the restaurants in the Hay Creek Hotels collection form deep connections with respected local farms and providers. Our chefs seamlessly integrate their regions’ finest meats, seafood and produce with contemporary cooking styles and flavors. Each Hay Creek restaurant is distinguished by sophisticated yet casual ambiance and cuisine that delivers both comfort and surprise with each bite. We are not the average box hotel, and this is not the average dining experience. Dishes are created each night with the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and presentation. Farm-to-table food brings sensational seasonal menus with creative twists on old classics.

Our Core Values and Beliefs;

We promote and support a culture that Delights & Surprises each of our customers, associates, and business partners. Our Host Philosophy encourages each associate to develop the skills necessary to offer outstanding hospitality service outside the scope of their primary job responsibilities. Our Associate Promise is the commitment to truly listen to and communicate openly and honestly with all team members. We embrace Pride Of Ownership to create an, “I can, I am, I own,” empowered approach to everything we do. Partnering in our Local Community and respecting the environment we live in are beliefs we incorporate into daily operations.

To learn more, visit us at www.HayCreekHotels.com

Experience and Skills:

• 5 Years professional F&B executive/multi-unit management experience
• Independent and Hotel Food & Beverage experience
• Financial management experience in a multi-unit/regional setting, able to analyze financial reports
• Technology-driven with strong computer skills, able to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies
• Advanced MS Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, PP, Outlook)
• Experience in maintaining Point of Sale Systems (Aloha/Micros/Toast)
• Ability to travel 80% of work week
• Menu assessment, design, and development
• New build processes including kitchen and FOH design and construction needs
• Able to furnish a valid driver’s license.
• F&B inventory management
• Positive communicator with strong leadership qualities
• Self-motivated and organized, able to prioritize and delegate tasks
• Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively while maintaining calmness, composure, and hospitality