Director of Beverage | Columbia Hospitality

Director of Beverage | Columbia Hospitality

We are seeking a passionate and strategic leader to elevate our beverage programs and guest experience across all properties. The Director of Beverage will oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of our beverage offerings and standards, fostering innovation, excellence, and consistency in every interaction. This role requires a forward‑thinking professional with extensive industry knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and a flair for creating memorable bar moments.

Let’s start off with the most important part-what’s in it for you:

The Perks

• Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status
• Salary Range: $90,000 to $125,000 DOE
• Cellphone Allowance
• Incentive Eligible
• Commuter/Parking Allowance
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time off & Holiday Pay (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people‑first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight‑knit, inclusive, values‑driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

What you’ll do:

The Brass Tacks

• Design, oversee, and refine comprehensive training initiatives and materials for all beverage operations, covering spirits, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic selections, as well as ambient atmosphere enhancements.
• Establish and uphold standards for all bar outlets, including product curation, signature and classic cocktail recipes, menu design, uniform policies, equipment specifications, and pricing strategies.
• Monitor program success through third‑party compliance assessments, detailed category‑specific menu reviews, and collaboration with property leadership to implement necessary adjustments.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships at the corporate level to support beverage initiatives and uphold corporate directives.
• Develop and coordinate training programs and support resources for hotel restaurants, bars, banquet spaces, minibars, and room service.
• Provide hands‑on staff training at new locations during pre‑opening phases upon request.
• Build strong relationships with local partners, brands, sponsors, industry tastemakers, vendors, and cultural organizations to facilitate collaborative events and impactful activations.
• Support the creation and execution of local experiences and promotional events in partnership with beverage suppliers, aimed at increasing traffic and revenue.
• Travel as required to attend corporate meetings, industry conferences, launch events, new openings, support trainings, and property transitions.
• Act as a key team member on task forces, offering mentorship and training to bar staff and leadership to ensure high standards of service and expertise.
• Assist in menu development, including layout, recipe standards, house‑made ingredients, and sourcing strategies.
• Collaborate with finance teams on pricing models, cost control, and profitability enhancement strategies.
• Support the rollout of new venues and contribute to property acquisition efforts.
• Lead ongoing educational initiatives via webinars, conference calls, and the dissemination of tools and resources.
• Develop consistent messaging points across properties to support new programming and marketing activations.
• Identify and leverage opportunities for mixology‑led events with Food & Beverage teams to drive visibility and revenue.
• Represent the organization at industry panels, keynote events, and networking functions.
• Engage with industry groups and educational programs to support professional development and scholarship initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as required to support overall brand and operational objectives.

The Nitty Gritty

• Deep industry expertise across spirits, wine, beer, and the three‑tier distribution system.
• Proven track record of leading projects from concept through execution within hospitality settings.
• Strong understanding of beverage performance metrics and standards across diverse environments.
• Creative approach to beverage promotions, menu innovation, and customer engagement.
• Ability to make informed business decisions that balance profitability with innovation.
• Extensive mixology and craft cocktail experience; certifications such as Cicerone, CSS, CSW, or WSET are a plus.
• Minimum of four years in leadership roles within the restaurant or bar industry, with supervisory experience.
• In‑depth knowledge of spirits, wine, beer, and current trends in modern bar operations.
• Familiarity with modern bar and event equipment and technology.
• Skill in cost control, inventory management, menu engineering, and procurement in US and international markets.
• Strong relationships with industry suppliers and the ability to develop comprehensive national beverage programs.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel, approximately 60% or more, to support various initiatives and industry events.
• Proficiency in budget management, data analysis, and performance metrics.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels.
• A proactive leader with exceptional organizational skills, multitasking ability, and a solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Service‑focused, personable, and dedicated to delivering outstanding guest experiences.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Fine Print

Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.

Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect

Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award‑winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.

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