Director of Food And Beverage

Idle Hour Country Club

Lexington, KY

About Idle Hour —

Founded in 1946, Idle Hour Country Club is a private, member-owned club defined by tradition, hospitality, and multi-generational community.

Dining is one of the most visible and meaningful ways our members experience the Club. As we enter a transformative period—including a major clubhouse and kitchen renovation—we are investing in leadership, systems, and standards that elevate consistency, experience, and long-term sustainability.

Our goal is clear: to position Idle Hour as a true dining destination while maintaining the warmth, familiarity, and trust that define private club hospitality.

Position Overview —

The Director of Food & Beverage is Idle Hour’s senior hospitality and operational leader, responsible for the full architecture, performance, and consistency of all dining, beverage, and event operations.

This is an executive-level leadership role focused on building systems, developing leaders, and ensuring that exceptional member experiences are delivered consistently—across all outlets, all shifts, and all seasons.

This is not a role that relies on daily heroics.

It is a role that builds clarity, accountability, and operational discipline into the system itself.

The Director of Food & Beverage partners closely with Culinary, Service, Events, and Club leadership to ensure that hospitality is not dependent on individuals—but embedded into how the Club operates.

Core Responsibilities —

F&B Systems Leadership

Serve as the Club’s senior food & beverage authority and operational architect
Design, implement, and evolve systems that drive consistency across all dining outlets and events
Establish and uphold service, beverage, and execution standards across the operation
Build and maintain SOPs, training frameworks, and accountability structures
Ensure alignment between FOH and BOH to deliver seamless member experiences

Leadership Development & Team Architecture

Lead, mentor, and develop the Service Director, F&B Manager, Events leadership, and outlet managers
Build a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement
Establish clear organizational structure, staffing models, and succession planning
Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management systems
Serve as the leadership multiplier for the entire F&B department

Member Experience & Service Excellence

Ensure consistent execution of Idle Hour’s hospitality standards across all touchpoints
Monitor Dining Experience Survey feedback and implement structured improvement plans
Establish and reinforce service recovery systems (H.E.A.T. model)
Maintain a visible presence in dining spaces to stay connected to the member experience
Partner with Membership and leadership to elevate engagement and satisfaction

Financial & Operational Stewardship

Own departmental P&L performance including revenue, labor, and cost controls
Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets
Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed
Oversee purchasing, inventory, and vendor relationships
Ensure strong cash controls, reporting accuracy, and operational discipline

Beverage & Program Development

Oversee wine, bar, and beverage programming across all outlets
Partner with leadership on menu strategy, pricing, and product development
Support innovation while maintaining consistency and profitability
Ensure proper training and execution of beverage standards

Events & Revenue Optimization

Oversee catering and banquet operations in partnership with Events leadership
Ensure consistency of experience across a la carte dining and private events
Align staffing, service models, and execution standards across all event formats
Support strategic growth of F&B revenue through programming and experience design

Renovation & Strategic Transition Leadership

Lead F&B operational strategy during clubhouse and kitchen renovation
Design interim service models, staffing plans, and communication strategies
Partner cross-functionally to protect the member experience during disruption
Help architect the future-state F&B operation post-renovation

Cross-Departmental Leadership

Collaborate with Culinary, Golf, Racquets, and Membership teams to ensure alignment
Support Board and committee communication related to F&B operations
Contribute to long-range planning and Club-wide strategic initiatives
Serve as Manager-on-Duty as part of the leadership team

Success Profile —

The ideal candidate is:

A systems-driven leader who builds structure, not dependency
A hospitality-first operator who understands how service makes people feel
A leadership multiplier who develops strong teams and future leaders
Calm, organized, and decisive in high-expectation environments
Financially disciplined with a strong understanding of P&L management
Energized by building something lasting, not just maintaining status quo

Qualifications —

10+ years of progressive food & beverage leadership experience
5+ years in a senior leadership role within private clubs, luxury hospitality, or fine dining
Proven success leading multi-outlet F&B operations and large teams
Strong financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and forecasting
Experience with Jonas or similar POS/accounting systems preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferred
Food safety and alcohol service certifications required

Compensation & Benefits —