Job Title: Director of Food and Beverage

Location: Armory Grille & Bar at Hilton Garden Inn, Burlington, VT

MCHG is excited to support the continued growth and success of our Burlington, VT portfolio, with a key leadership opportunity. Armory Grille & Bar is seeking an accomplished Director of Food and Beverage to lead and elevate all food and beverage operations, including the restaurant, bar, and banquet business, at its landmark downtown Burlington location.

Steeped in history and recognized as the former home of the renowned Hunt's music venue, the Armory stands at an exciting point of evolution. This role offers the opportunity to build on a strong foundation while driving the restaurant to new levels of performance, relevance, and community engagement.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and hands-on leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven ability to grow business. Beyond daily operations, this individual will inspire teams, foster a culture of hospitality excellence, strengthen local partnerships, identify new revenue opportunities, and help position the Armory as a leading dining and social destination in the market.

Role Purpose & Impact

The Director of Food and Beverage is responsible for leading all food and beverage operations at Armory Grille & Bar, including the restaurant, bar, breakfast service, banquet operations, catering, and special events. This highly visible leadership role will drive exceptional guest experiences, financial performance, and operational excellence while positioning the Armory as a premier dining and event destination in Burlington.

As the leader of the operation, this role will be accountable for building and developing a high-performing team, fostering a culture of hospitality, and creating memorable experiences for guests. This individual will combine strategic business acumen with hands-on leadership to grow revenue, maximize profitability, strengthen community partnerships, and identify innovative opportunities that enhance the Armory's reputation and long-term success.

Working closely with leadership, hotel teams, and local stakeholders, the Director of Food and Beverage will champion the continued evolution of the Armory, ensuring the venue remains a vibrant gathering place for dining, celebrations, corporate events, and community engagement.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the financial performance of all restaurant, bar, banquet, and catering operations, driving revenue growth, controlling costs, and achieving departmental profitability goals.
• Develop and execute operating budgets, monitor labor and cost of sales, and implement effective controls around purchasing, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze financial results, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies that enhance revenue, productivity, and profit while maintaining exceptional guest experiences and service standards.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all restaurant, bar, and breakfast operations, ensuring exceptional service, consistent execution, and a welcoming guest experience.
• Partner with operational leadership to enhance menu offerings, optimize pricing strategies, and maintain the highest standards of food quality, cleanliness, and service excellence.
• Establish and enforce operational procedures, maintain appropriate staffing and scheduling, and ensure full compliance with health, safety, sanitation, and responsible alcohol service standards while holding leaders accountable for results.
• Lead the operational and financial performance of banquet, catering, and private event food and beverage services, ensuring exceptional execution, guest satisfaction, and profitability.
• Partner with hotel sales and event teams to develop event packages, menus, pricing strategies, and customized experiences that attract new business and maximize revenue opportunities.
• Oversee event planning, staffing, service delivery, and billing coordination while fostering strong client relationships that drive repeat business, referrals, and community engagement.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase restaurant, bar, and event revenue by attracting new guests, growing local market share, and enhancing the Armory's visibility within the community.
• Partner with sales and marketing teams to create and support promotions, seasonal programming, live entertainment, special events, and initiatives that drive guest engagement and business growth.
• Cultivate strong relationships with local businesses, organizations, event planners, and community partners while evaluating new opportunities that align with operational capabilities and financial objectives.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team of food and beverage professionals through effective hiring, training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and service excellence by establishing clear expectations, performance standards, and ongoing development opportunities.
• Partner with hotel leadership to ensure strong communication, operational alignment, and effective management of performance, scheduling, attendance, and employee relations in accordance with company policies.

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, or food and beverage operations, with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and business results.
• Demonstrated success managing both restaurant and banquet/event operations, including financial accountability for departmental budgets, P&Ls, labor management, cost controls, and revenue growth initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to develop high-performing teams, execute exceptional guest experiences, and thrive in a fast-paced environment requiring evenings, weekends, holidays, and special event participation.
• Experience within an independent restaurant, boutique hotel, lifestyle property, or destination food and beverage venue strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, culinary trends, beverage programming, event execution, and community-driven hospitality concepts.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify growth opportunities, build local partnerships, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of a dynamic dining and events destination.