Hotel Food & Beverage Manager

Food & Beverage Manager (USC Hotel & Hospitality)

Lead a dynamic, multi-outlet hospitality operation at the heart of one of the world's leading universities.

At USC, hospitality is more than service-it's a critical driver of guest experience, revenue, and community connection. This role offers the rare opportunity to oversee a diverse portfolio of food and beverage operations within the USC Hotel while collaborating across USC Hospitality. From intimate VIP experiences to large-scale events serving hundreds, you will shape how guests experience USC-every day, in every setting.

Accountabilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across multiple food and beverage outlets, including banquets, restaurants, bar programs, room service, and events

• Drive exceptional guest experiences by anticipating needs, resolving issues proactively, and elevating service standards across all touchpoints

• Develop innovative menu concepts and beverage programs in partnership with culinary leadership, including seasonal and revenue-generating offerings

• Oversee staffing strategy, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management of front- and back-of-house teams

• Manage financial performance by controlling costs, optimizing labor, and contributing to revenue growth through events and operational efficiencies

• Collaborate cross-functionally with hotel departments (front desk, housekeeping, engineering, finance) and USC Hospitality to enhance operations and guest satisfaction

• Execute high-impact events and initiatives, from VIP experiences to large-scale banquets, ensuring operational excellence and brand consistency

• Lead catering and "Catering 2 Go" operations, managing end-to-end logistics, production, delivery, and client experience while driving incremental revenue opportunities

• Strengthen operational systems and controls, including POS, inventory management, procurement, and standard operating procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards, maintaining excellence in sanitation, alcohol service, and workplace safety

• Manage annual Strategic Planning Objectives (SPOs) for the fiscal year, tracking progress, measuring outcomes, and adjusting strategies to meet evolving business needs

Areas of Responsibility at the USC Hotel:

• Private Events & Catering

• McKay's Breakfast Restaurant

• In-Room Dining

• Poolside Dining

• Rosso Oro's Pizzeria

• The Lab Gastropub

• Tommy Trojan Employee Cafe

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree; or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in restaurant, food service, hospitality, or multi-unit dining operations

• Experience with food planning and preparation, and restaurant purchasing and sanitation

• Knowledge of HR practices including staff supervision, performance management, and workplace policies

• Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills

Preferred:

• 7 years of leadership experience in restaurant, food service, hospitality, or multi-unit dining operations

• Experience operating within a hotel or full-service hospitality environment, with an understanding of integrated food and beverage operations, guest service standards, and brand-driven service delivery

• Proven oversight of multi-outlet operations (e.g., restaurant, bar, banquets, in-room dining)

• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, cost control, and revenue optimization

• Experience developing or elevating beverage/mixology programs

• Background working with unionized teams or complex labor environments

• Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams and influence across departments

• Experience executing large-scale events (200+ guests) and high-touch VIP service

Licenses/ Licenses:

• ServeSafe food handler's certification, or completion within 90 days of hire date

• Valid California driver's license required. Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment. For more information, please visit the policy website.

Our Values

The University of Southern California is committed to fostering a culture grounded in integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

The annual base salary range for this position is $85,000 - $90,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

Benefits

USC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement programs, tuition assistance, and a variety of well-being programs designed to support your personal and professional success.

Apply today to bring your hospitality leadership expertise to a fast-paced, high-impact environment where your work will shape the USC guest experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Bachelor's degree; or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in restaurant, food service, hospitality, or multi-unit dining operations

Experience with food planning and preparation, and restaurant purchasing and sanitation

Knowledge of HR practices including staff supervision, performance management, and workplace policies

Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

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