F&B Manager - Drift Hotel Santa Barbara

THE ROLE

As the Food & Beverage Manager at Drift Santa Barbara, you will be responsible for the day-to-day planning, leadership and execution of the hotel's food and beverage operations, including Dawn, Dusk, the Market and on-property events.

You'll work closely with the General Manager, Rooms Division Manager and other hotel leaders to achieve operational and financial goals, maintain Drift standards and create an exceptional experience for both hotel guests and local customers.

This is a hands-on leadership role. We're looking for someone who is comfortable being on the floor, developing their team, jumping into service when needed and setting the standard through their own actions.

Most importantly, you'll help create the kind of food and beverage experience that makes Drift feel like a place people want to spend time in, not simply a place where hotel guests happen to eat and drink.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead the F&B Operation

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Dawn, Dusk, the Market and on-property F&B events.
• Lead from the floor, ensuring excellent service, quality, cleanliness, organization and guest experience.
• Partner with the General Manager and Rooms Division Manager on strategic goals, operational planning, training and quality control.
• Ensure F&B offerings and outlet operations are aligned with Drift brand standards and profitable.
• Maintain proper quality assurance, health, safety and sanitation standards.

Build + Lead the Team

• Recruit, train, coach and develop F&B employees across all outlets.
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to Drift standards.
• Lead pre-shift meetings and ongoing training, including beverage and service education.
• Maintain a culture of high employee engagement, ethics, morale and teamwork.
• Partner with HR and leadership on coaching, counseling and performance management.

Own the Guest Experience

• Create genuine, thoughtful hospitality for hotel guests and local customers.
• Be visible and approachable throughout service.
• Resolve guest concerns quickly and professionally.
• Look for opportunities to surprise and delight guests while protecting the integrity of the operation.
• Help position Drift Santa Barbara as a destination for the local community as well as hotel guests.

Events + Beverage

• Oversee the planning and execution of F&B events and special experiences.
• Collaborate with the Drift Supervisor and Sales Manager on event menus and F&B offerings for prospective and confirmed clients.
• Develop and maintain the property's beverage programs and ensure the team is trained to execute them consistently.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing on F&B promotions, events, partnerships and special programming.

Run a Smart, Profitable Business

• Manage labor, inventory, food and beverage costs and departmental expenses within budget.
• Monitor sales and operating performance and identify opportunities to improve revenue and profitability.
• Maintain strong inventory, ordering and cost-control practices.
• Assist the General Manager with marketing strategies, campaigns and other property initiatives.
• Bring new ideas and opportunities to the leadership team and take ownership of additional projects as needed.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• 2–3+ years of food and beverage experience in a hotel, restaurant, bar or hospitality environment.
• Previous Food & Beverage Manager, Assistant F&B Manager, Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Supervisor or comparable supervisory/management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and manage a busy service operation.
• Strong understanding of food and beverage operations, service standards and guest experience.
• Experience training, coaching and developing employees.
• Understanding of labor management, scheduling and cost control.
• Strong communication, organization and follow-through.
• Ability to remain calm, positive and effective in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation and responsible alcohol service.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Strongly Preferred

• Hotel food and beverage management experience.
• Experience in a boutique, lifestyle or independent hotel.
• Experience overseeing multiple F&B outlets or concepts.
• Experience developing or managing a beverage program.
• Experience with hotel events and event F&B.
• Experience in Santa Barbara or a comparable coastal California hospitality market.
• Experience opening or repositioning an F&B operation.

WHY DRIFT SANTA BARBARA?

We're building something special.

Drift is part of a growing independent hospitality company that believes hotels should feel like an extension of the neighborhood, not an island within it.

At Drift Santa Barbara, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the food and beverage experience of a unique property, build and develop a great team, create meaningful relationships within the Santa Barbara community and have a real impact on the success of the hotel.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants more than a title. We want someone who wants to build something.

If you're an experienced food and beverage leader who is passionate about hospitality, loves being on the floor, knows how to lead a team and is excited about creating something special in Santa Barbara, we want to hear from you.

Come help us make some noise in Santa Barbara.