Director of Food and Beverage & Culinary Pre Opening Ritz Carlton Diriyah

About The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah

The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah, located in the historic heart of Diriyah, Riyadh, is preparing to open as a luxury hospitality destination. This pre-opening project aims to establish a world-class food and beverage offering, blending heritage with contemporary service standards. The property will feature signature restaurants, destination bars, banqueting experiences, and in-room dining.

Role Summary

The Director of Food and Beverage & Culinary will join the Executive Committee to provide strategic leadership for all culinary and food and beverage operations. This full-time role involves overseeing restaurants, bars, banqueting, catering, and in-room dining. The position focuses on curating guest experiences, developing concepts, and building a team culture to position The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah as a culinary destination. The successful candidate will work with the General Manager, ownership, and the hotel leadership team to develop and execute a comprehensive food and beverage strategy, balancing innovation, guest satisfaction, operational excellence, and commercial performance. As a pre-opening leader, this role is critical in establishing service standards, recruiting talent, and launching concepts for long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-opening strategy, positioning, and operational launch of all food and beverage and culinary outlets.
• Develop and execute a food and beverage vision aligned with The Ritz-Carlton brand standards, guest expectations, and ownership objectives.
• Create dining and beverage experiences that differentiate the property within the luxury hospitality market.
• Drive revenue growth and profitability through strategic planning, menu development, outlet positioning, and operational excellence.
• Oversee departmental budgets, forecasting, procurement strategies, cost controls, and financial performance.
• Recruit, develop, and inspire a food and beverage and culinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and collaboration.
• Cultivate relationships with ownership, key stakeholders, suppliers, and industry partners, ensuring high standards of execution.
• Champion service innovation, guest engagement, and continuous improvement across all food and beverage touchpoints.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in food and beverage and culinary leadership roles, preferably within luxury hospitality.
• Experience in pre-opening hotel environments is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive food and beverage strategies.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management, forecasting, and cost control.
• Proven leadership skills in recruiting, developing, and managing high-performing teams.

Working with Marriott International

Joining Marriott International provides access to global career opportunities and industry-leading learning and leadership development programs. This role offers the opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a luxury destination from its early stages and collaborate with hospitality professionals. The Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized for excellence and service, with a commitment to its "Gold Standards" in guest and associate care. Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer, valuing diverse backgrounds and fostering an inclusive environment.

Application

This role offers a career opportunity for leaders passionate about luxury dining and motivated to contribute to a significant project. Join The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah to help establish its food and beverage culture among global luxury hospitality destinations.