Director of Food

Job Ref: MAR1367

Branch: Mar Hall Golf Spa Resort

Location: Mar Hall Golf Spa Resort, Bishopton

Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Hours per week: 40 hours per week 5/7 days including evenings and weekends.

Posted date: 27/11/2025

Closing date: 10/01/2026

About Us

JA Mar Hall Golf Spa Resort is a peaceful countryside retreat and soulful escape, your haven of Scottish charm, spa indulgence, and championship golf. Recently, Mar Hall proudly joined the JA Resorts Hotels portfolio, a heritage hospitality brand with properties across Dubai, the Maldives, Seychelles, and Scotland. This exciting new chapter brings global expertise and fresh vision to our estate, while staying true to the warmth and authenticity that guests have always cherished.As part of JA Resorts Hotels, our team is now connected to a wider international family, offering new opportunities for growth, innovation, and career development. Together, we are shaping a future where Scottish heritage meets world-class hospitality.

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and inspirational Director of Food Beverage to lead one of the largest and most diverse divisions within the resort. With responsibility for a team of around 50 talented hospitality professionals, you will oversee all dining, beverage, and events operations across the estate. This includes Meetings Events (all conference and banqueting operations, room set-ups, and function delivery), the Dining Room restaurant, Breakfast, Room Service, Slàinte Cocktail Bar, The Gallery Bar Afternoon Tea Lounge, and Il Posto, our golf clubhouse restaurant.This role requires an experienced leader who has successfully operated multiple outlets within a luxury setting and who can guide managers and their teams towards exceptional five-star service delivery. You will ensure each outlet and event maintains its unique identity while consistently upholding the highest standards of JA Resorts Hotels.

The Director of Food Beverage reports directly to the Operations Director for Mar Hall Golf Spa Resort.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and oversee the full FB Division including restaurants, bars, in-room dining, clubhouse, meetings events, and afternoon tea service.
• Directly manage the FB Operations Manager and three Assistant FB Managers, fostering unity and excellence across all areas.
• Implement and maintain detailed SOPs aligned with luxury dining and beverage standards.
• Ensure seamless coordination of all events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale functions, executed with accuracy, creativity, and five-star finesse.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and operational deployment to ensure optimal coverage, cost control, and team wellbeing.

Guest Experience Service Excellence

• Champion a guest-centric culture, consistently delivering warmth, professionalism, and refined service.
• Analyse guest feedback and operational insights to identify improvements and elevate the experience in every outlet.
• Lead service recovery with discretion and care, particularly in high-profile, VIP, or complex dining/event scenarios.
• Maintain strong visibility across all outlets to build rapport with guests and support your team.

Team Development Leadership

• Mentor and develop a passionate, high-performing team of 50, nurturing future leaders within the division.
• Conduct regular leadership meetings, briefings, and training sessions to align with operational priorities and brand values.
• Support recruitment, talent development, and succession planning to build a stable, motivated, and skilled workforce.
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and pride in service.

Financial Management

• Prepare and manage the full FB budget including labour control, beverage and food cost management, forecasting, and margin optimisation.
• Monitor financial KPIs such as payroll ratios, food and liquor GP, stock management, and operational expenditure.
• Collaborate with Sales, Revenue, and Finance to drive profitability and ensure commercial success across all outlets and event spaces.
• Identify revenue opportunities through menu engineering, upselling initiatives, and enhancements to guest-facing experiences.

Strategic Continuous Improvement

• Shape and deliver long-term strategies that elevate FB quality, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction in line with JA Resorts Hotels vision.
• Benchmark performance and service against international luxury dining and events standards.
• Work closely with the leadership team (Operations, Rooms, Sales, Spa, Golf) to support wider business goals and integrated guest experiences.
• Drive innovation in food and beverage concepts, event delivery, and guest engagement while protecting brand identity.

Compliance Quality Assurance

• Ensure all FB operations comply with food safety, health and safety, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead regular audits on cleanliness, hygiene standards, stock control, and service quality, implementing corrective actions where necessary.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant experience in a senior FB leadership role within a luxury, upscale, or five-star environment.
• Proven track record running multiple outlets concurrently -restaurants, bars, and event operations.
• Strong experience managing large teams and developing managers into high-performing leaders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food and beverage cost control, labour budgets, forecasting, and GP management.
• Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Calm, adaptable, and confident in fast-paced or high-pressure service environments.
• High attention to detail and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Strategic thinker with operational acumen and the ability to deliver both big-picture initiatives and day-to-day excellence.
• Flexible working approach including evenings, weekends, and business needs.

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience operating to Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star standards, AA Rosettes/Red Stars, or internationally recognised luxury benchmarks.
• Exposure to multi-brand or international luxury hospitality.
• Qualification in Hospitality Management, Business, or related discipline.

Why Join Us

At JA Mar Hall, you'll find more than just a job—you'll discover a place to belong and a career to grow. We offer:

• Up to 33 days annual leave
• Private medical cover
• Discounts on overnight stays for you, and your friends family.
• Free leisure club membership.
• Discounted leisure club membership for your friends family.
• 50 discount on Spa treatments.
• Golf discounts for you, and your friends family.
• 50% discount on food during dining experiences for you +3 guests. 25% discount on beverage.
• Access to Wisdom – our dedicated employee assistance programme providing confidential support for your emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.

About Us

JA Mar Hall Golf Spa Resort is a peaceful countryside retreat and soulful escape, your haven of Scottish charm, spa indulgence, and championship golf. Recently, Mar Hall proudly joined the JA Resorts Hotels portfolio, a heritage hospitality brand with properties across Dubai, the Maldives, Seychelles, and Scotland. This exciting new chapter brings global expertise and fresh vision to our estate, while staying true to the warmth and authenticity that guests have always cherished.

As part of JA Resorts Hotels, our team is now connected to a wider international family, offering new opportunities for growth, innovation, and career development. Together, we are shaping a future where Scottish heritage meets world-class hospitality.

We will look to grow your aspirations and help you achieve your ambitions within the hospitality industry; from the golf course to the kitchen we have the opportunity for you. We believe that people make the business; they make the difference and define our guest's experiences. If you're passionate about hospitality we would like to hear from you.