Job Summary
A prestigious luxury hotel portfolio at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, is seeking a highly experienced and commercially driven CLUSTER FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR to join their senior leadership team. This is a rare and senior opportunity for an exceptional F&B leader to take full ownership of the food and beverage strategy across a portfolio of iconic luxury properties at one of South Africa's most celebrated destinations. This role demands a commercial operator and experience curator in equal measure; someone who can turn F&B into a key profit driver while elevating the overall guest journey across multiple outlets and properties. Core Criteria: Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred 8–10+ years' experience in senior F&B leadership roles within a luxury or multi-property environment Proven ability to drive revenue growth, profitability, and operational excellence at a portfolio level Strong commercial and financial acumen with advanced analytical capability Experience in concept development, brand positioning, and large-scale F&B operations Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams In-depth understanding of industry trends, compliance, and best practices Experience overseeing procurement, supplier partnerships, and stock management governance Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Executive Chef, Sales, and Rooms Division teams Core Responsibilities: Strategic & Commercial Leadership Define and execute a cohesive F&B strategy aligned with overall business objectives and brand positioning across all properties and outlets Drive total F&B revenue, profitability, and market share across the portfolio Develop and implement pricing models, revenue optimisation strategies, and cost control frameworks Identify and execute new business opportunities, concepts, and partnerships Lead F&B capital planning and investment decisions with a strong return-on-investment focus Multi-Property Operational Excellence Provide executive oversight of all F&B operations across restaurants, bars, functions, and in-room dining, ensuring alignment in standards, systems, and service delivery Implement and maintain standard operating procedures, controls, and performance benchmarks Conduct regular operational audits and drive continuous improvement initiatives Ensure full compliance with health, safety, hygiene, and statutory requirements Optimise labour structures and productivity in line with business demands Leadership & People Development Lead and inspire F&B leadership teams, including outlet managers and senior culinary leaders Build a culture of accountability, service excellence, and high performance Drive talent development, succession planning, and retention strategies Partner with HR on workforce planning, training, and performance management Brand; Guest Experience & Programming Position F&B as a core differentiator within the property portfolio Align the F&B experience with brand identity across all guest touchpoints Collaborate with Sales & Marketing on campaigns, partnerships, and activations Oversee the development and execution of signature events and experiences Monitor guest feedback and market trends to continuously enhance the offering Culinary Direction & Innovation Provide strategic direction on menu engineering, concept development, and innovation Ensure all offerings are commercially viable, trend-relevant, and brand-aligned Drive sustainability initiatives, local sourcing, and efficient procurement practices Oversee beverage strategy, including wine programmes and bar concepts Financial Management & Governance Full accountability for F&B financial performance across all properties Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting Monitor key financial metrics and implement corrective strategies where required Ensure strong controls in procurement, stock management, and cost of sales This is a live-out position