Director of Food And Beverage
Idle Hour Country ClubLexington, KY
- Posted 4 days ago
About the role
About Idle Hour —
Founded in 1946, Idle Hour Country Club is a private, member-owned club defined by tradition, hospitality, and multi-generational community.
Dining is one of the most visible and meaningful ways our members experience the Club. As we enter a transformative period—including a major clubhouse and kitchen renovation—we are investing in leadership, systems, and standards that elevate consistency, experience, and long-term sustainability.
Our goal is clear: to position Idle Hour as a true dining destination while maintaining the warmth, familiarity, and trust that define private club hospitality.
Position Overview —
The Director of Food & Beverage is Idle Hour’s senior hospitality and operational leader, responsible for the full architecture, performance, and consistency of all dining, beverage, and event operations.
This is an executive-level leadership role focused on building systems, developing leaders, and ensuring that exceptional member experiences are delivered consistently—across all outlets, all shifts, and all seasons.
This is not a role that relies on daily heroics.
It is a role that builds clarity, accountability, and operational discipline into the system itself.
The Director of Food & Beverage partners closely with Culinary, Service, Events, and Club leadership to ensure that hospitality is not dependent on individuals—but embedded into how the Club operates.
Core Responsibilities —
F&B Systems Leadership
Serve as the Club’s senior food & beverage authority and operational architectDesign, implement, and evolve systems that drive consistency across all dining outlets and eventsEstablish and uphold service, beverage, and execution standards across the operationBuild and maintain SOPs, training frameworks, and accountability structuresEnsure alignment between FOH and BOH to deliver seamless member experiences
Leadership Development & Team Architecture
Lead, mentor, and develop the Service Director, F&B Manager, Events leadership, and outlet managersBuild a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvementEstablish clear organizational structure, staffing models, and succession planningOversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management systemsServe as the leadership multiplier for the entire F&B department
Member Experience & Service Excellence
Ensure consistent execution of Idle Hour’s hospitality standards across all touchpointsMonitor Dining Experience Survey feedback and implement structured improvement plansEstablish and reinforce service recovery systems (H.E.A.T. model)Maintain a visible presence in dining spaces to stay connected to the member experiencePartner with Membership and leadership to elevate engagement and satisfaction
Financial & Operational Stewardship
Own departmental P&L performance including revenue, labor, and cost controlsDevelop and manage annual operating and capital budgetsMonitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as neededOversee purchasing, inventory, and vendor relationshipsEnsure strong cash controls, reporting accuracy, and operational discipline
Beverage & Program Development
Oversee wine, bar, and beverage programming across all outletsPartner with leadership on menu strategy, pricing, and product developmentSupport innovation while maintaining consistency and profitabilityEnsure proper training and execution of beverage standards
Events & Revenue Optimization
Oversee catering and banquet operations in partnership with Events leadershipEnsure consistency of experience across a la carte dining and private eventsAlign staffing, service models, and execution standards across all event formatsSupport strategic growth of F&B revenue through programming and experience design
Renovation & Strategic Transition Leadership
Lead F&B operational strategy during clubhouse and kitchen renovationDesign interim service models, staffing plans, and communication strategiesPartner cross-functionally to protect the member experience during disruptionHelp architect the future-state F&B operation post-renovation
Cross-Departmental Leadership
Collaborate with Culinary, Golf, Racquets, and Membership teams to ensure alignmentSupport Board and committee communication related to F&B operationsContribute to long-range planning and Club-wide strategic initiativesServe as Manager-on-Duty as part of the leadership team
Success Profile —
The ideal candidate is:
A systems-driven leader who builds structure, not dependencyA hospitality-first operator who understands how service makes people feelA leadership multiplier who develops strong teams and future leadersCalm, organized, and decisive in high-expectation environmentsFinancially disciplined with a strong understanding of P&L managementEnergized by building something lasting, not just maintaining status quo
Qualifications —
10+ years of progressive food & beverage leadership experience5+ years of progressive leadership experience within the private club industry requiredProven success leading multi-outlet F&B operations and large teamsStrong financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and forecastingExperience with Jonas POS/accounting system preferredBachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferredFood safety and alcohol service certifications required
Compensation & Benefits —
Competitive salary commensurate with experienceAnnual performance bonus tied to KPIsFull benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401(k))Relocation assistance negotiableContinuing education and professional development support
To Apply —
Interested candidates should submit a résumé and brief cover letter to:
Chris Kennedy, CCM
General Manager / COO
ckennedy@idlehour.cc
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