Logo
job logo

Director of Food and Beverage

Metcma, Darien, Connecticut, us, 06820

Save Job

About the Club The Tokeneke Club is nestled in a private enclave on an idyllic cove, with breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound. The club serves as a treasured retreat from the demands of daily life. Incorporated in 1907, the Tokeneke Club has come along way since it’s simple beginnings, now with over 340 member families and a robust waitlist. Unchanged however, is the club’s steadfast commitment to a fun, family-centric culture. The club features the highest caliber of food and beverage services at multiple formal and casual dining outlets as well as private event venues. The club boasts a premier level racquets program, regarded as one of the best in Fairfield County, with nine (9) har-tru tennis courts, and four (4) paddle tennis courts. In addition to racquet sports, the club has an Olympic sized swimming pool, a private beach and clubcabanas.

Position Summary The Director of Food & Beverage is a senior leadership role reporting to the Clubhouse Manager, responsible for all strategic and operational aspects of food and beverage service at Tokeneke Club. This includes oversight of à la carte dining, member events, private functions, and seasonal programming. The role requires high-level vision and day-to-day management to ensure consistently exceptional member experiences.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading and developing staff across all F&B outlets

Managing budgets and beverage programs

Maintaining service and cleanliness standards, and ensuring smooth coordination with the Executive Chef on menus and events

The Director is also responsible for planning and executing all member events

Upholding safety protocols

Enforcing club policies

Championing a culture of hospitality and service excellence throughout the Club

This position demands strong leadership, financial acumen, and a passion for delivering world-class service in a dynamic and member-focused environment.

Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000-$90,000, Full-Time, Year-Round, Exempt

Health/Vision insurance (95% club paid)

Life insurance (100% club paid)

Paid time off (4 weeks)

Holiday bonus

Performance bonus up to 10% of salary

3% retirement contribution after 1 year

CMAA local and national membership dues

Cell phone allowance $100/month

Clothing allowance

Annual allowance for continuing education

Duties and Responsibilities Service

Direct all food and beverage operations, including à la carte dining, member events, and private functions

Maintain high visibility throughout the Clubhouse and Beach Grill to ensure smooth daily operations

Oversee reservations, dining flow, and floor plans to optimize the member experience

Ensure all dining and service spaces meet Club presentation standards

Collaborate with the Executive Chef on menu development and bi-weekly à la carte updates, assuming responsibility for POS programming and the formatting, presentation, and visual consistency of all menus

Communicate menu changes with the Member Relations Manager for accurate in-house and online representation

Benchmark and uphold service standards comparable to top-tier restaurants in Fairfield County and New York City

Oversee the daily management and functionality of POS systems, printers, and food and beverage technology, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and operational continuity across all outlets

Facilities

Maintain all dining areas and private event spaces at the highest levels of cleanliness, organization, and readiness as well as other areas of the club as needed

Establish and enforce cleanliness, sanitation, and safety standards across all outlets

Ensure dining and service areas are properly prepared and maintained

Ensure proper maintenance of service equipment and coordinate necessary repairs or replacements

Staff Management

Recruit, hire, onboard, and train food and beverage staff across all outlets

Develop and implement structured internship programs and mentor interns

Establish and implement training and professional development of all service staff, including seasonal interns, to ensure exceptional service in accordance with Club standards

Maintain staffing levels within budgeted labor guidelines

Update and maintain job descriptions annually for entry-level staff

Provide leadership and operational support to the Food & Beverage Manager and Supervisors

Financial Management

Lead the development and management of the annual food and beverage operating budget

Responsible for ordering all alcoholic beverages (liquor, beer, wine)

Oversee the ordering of non-alcoholic beverages and linen, with that responsibility clearly delegated to the Food & Beverage Manager

Maintains full budget accountability and wine program ownership

Event & Programming Oversight

Plan, coordinate, and oversee all member events, ensuring each function is thoughtfully programmed, operationally sound, and executed to the club’s service and hospitality standards

Collaborate with culinary leadership to assess equipment, layout, and service requirements, translating those needs into detailed event setup and service floor plans

Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop and curate customized event menus that align with member preferences, event objectives, and the club’s culinary standards

Oversee on-site execution of all member and private events, providing leadership and real-time decision-making to ensure seamless service, proper staffing, and exceptional guest experiences

Safety & Compliance

Enforce all club rules, policies, and procedures

Uphold food safety and sanitation practices in accordance with all local and state health department guidelines

Oversee proactive safety protocols for front-of-house staff

Partner with culinary leadership to develop, implement, and oversee allergen-safe meal protocols, ensuring clear communication, proper handling procedures, and consistent execution to safeguard members and guests with dietary restrictions

Member Relations & Hospitality

Regularly communicate and interface with members in person and through structured communications including emails, newsletters, and the club website

Maintain high visibility throughout all dining outlets and club spaces, regularly communicating and engaging with members to build relationships and reinforce service standards

Solicit feedback regarding programming, member satisfaction, and areas for improvement

Report any behavior unbecoming of a Tokeneke member or guest to the General Manager

Maintain high visibility and regularly engage with members

Champion a culture of genuine hospitality across all Food & Beverage operations, ensuring every member and guest experience reflects the club’s service-centric values

Partner with club management and department heads for cross-department alignment

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in Food & Beverage operations, preferably within a private club, hospitality, or luxury service environment

Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams across multiple outlets and service styles

Strong financial acumen, with proven experience managing budgets, controlling costs, forecasting, and analyzing financial performance

Extensive knowledge of food and beverage service standards, beverage programs, wine management, and event execution

Comprehensive understanding of food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations, with the ability to enforce compliance and best practices

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with members, staff, vendors, and club leadership

Experience collaborating with Executive Chefs and culinary teams on menu development, programming, and service execution

Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, events, and operational demands simultaneously

Proficiency in hospitality technology and systems, including POS platforms (NorthStar), reservation systems, scheduling tools, and operational software

Professional demeanor with a genuine passion for hospitality and a commitment to delivering elevated member experiences

Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by club operations

Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to perform essential job functions with physical demands including standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, stooping, talking, hearing, and the ability to lift 50 or more pounds.

To Apply To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume to the contact information below. To propose a candidate for consideration of this exceptional opportunity, please direct all correspondence to:

#J-18808-Ljbffr