Director of Food and Beverage & Culinary – Pre-Opening Ritz Carlton Diriyah, Riyadh

Director of Food & Beverage & Culinary – Pre-Opening The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Create a Culinary Destination of Global Distinction Set within the historic heart of Diriyah, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah is poised to become one of the most significant luxury hospitality destinations in the Middle East. Blending the timeless heritage of this iconic location with contemporary sophistication and the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton , the property will redefine luxury experiences for a new generation of global travellers. As a landmark pre-opening project, The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah presents a unique opportunity to establish a world-class food and beverage destination from the ground up. From signature restaurants and destination bars to extraordinary banqueting experiences and bespoke in-room dining, every element will be crafted to reflect the highest standards of luxury hospitality. We are seeking an exceptional Director of Food & Beverage & Culinary to lead this vision and shape one of the Kingdom's most anticipated culinary offerings. About the Role As a member of the Executive Committee, the Director of Food & Beverage & Culinary will provide strategic leadership across all culinary and food and beverage operations, including restaurants, bars, banqueting, catering, and in-room dining. This is far more than an operational leadership position. It is an opportunity to curate experiences, develop distinctive concepts, build an exceptional team culture, and position The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah as a recognised culinary destination in its own right. Working closely with the General Manager, ownership representatives, and hotel leadership team, you will oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive food and beverage strategy that balances innovation, guest satisfaction, operational excellence, and commercial performance. As a pre-opening leader, you will also play a pivotal role in establishing service standards, recruiting key talent, launching concepts, and creating the foundations for long-term success. Key Responsibilities Lead the pre-opening strategy, positioning, and operational launch of all food and beverage and culinary outlets across the hotel. Develop and execute a food and beverage vision aligned with The Ritz-Carlton brand standards, guest expectations, and ownership objectives. Create exceptional 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 world-class food and beverage and culinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and collaboration. Cultivate strong relationships with ownership, key stakeholders, suppliers, and industry partners while ensuring the highest standards of execution. Champion service innovation, guest engagement, and continuous improvement across every food and beverage touchpoint. The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be an accomplished luxury hospitality leader with a passion for exceptional culinary experiences and a proven ability to deliver both operational and commercial success. You will bring: Extensive leadership experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or internationally recognised food and beverage destinations. A sophisticated understanding of luxury dining trends, guest expectations, and evolving market opportunities. Demonstrated success leading complex food and beverage operations with multiple outlets, large-scale events, and high-performing culinary teams. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, profitability, concept development, and revenue optimisation. An inspirational leadership style that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. A hands-on approach combined with strategic vision and the ability to influence stakeholders at every level. Previous pre-opening experience within a luxury hospitality environment will be highly valued. Why Join Marriott International? Joining Marriott International means becoming part of the world's leading hospitality company and one of the industry's most respected luxury portfolios. As part of this exceptional opportunity, you will benefit from: Access to unparalleled global career opportunities across Marriott International's luxury and premium brands. Industry-leading learning, leadership development, and executive growth programmes. The opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a landmark luxury destination from its earliest stages. Collaboration with some of the world's most talented hospitality professionals. The prestige of representing The Ritz-Carlton, a brand globally recognised for excellence, craftsmanship, and legendary service

The Ideal Candidate: Extensive leadership experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or internationally recognised food and beverage destinations. A sophisticated understanding of luxury dining trends, guest expectations, and evolving market opportunities. Demonstrated success leading complex food and beverage operations with multiple outlets, large-scale events, and high-performing culinary teams. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, profitability, concept development, and revenue optimisation. An inspirational leadership style that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. A hands-on approach combined with strategic vision and the ability to influence stakeholders at every level. Previous pre-opening experience within a luxury hospitality environment will be highly valued.

Lead the pre-opening strategy, positioning, and operational launch of all food and beverage and culinary outlets across the hotel. Develop and execute a food and beverage vision aligned with The Ritz-Carlton brand standards, guest expectations, and ownership objectives. Create exceptional 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 world-class food and beverage and culinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and collaboration. Cultivate strong relationships with ownership, key stakeholders, suppliers, and industry partners while ensuring the highest standards of execution. Champion service innovation, guest engagement, and continuous improvement across every food and beverage touchpoint.