Beverage Director

About the role

Mattos Hospitality is seeking a Beverage Director for a new venture opening in New York City in early 2027. Joining during the pre-opening stage, the Beverage Director will work closely with the senior leadership team to develop the beverage program, build and train the team, and establish the systems and standards that will guide the operation from opening forward.The venture will include multiple food and beverage experiences and requires a leader who can develop a thoughtful and cohesive beverage program while maintaining strong operational and financial discipline. We are looking for a knowledgeable and engaged hospitality professional with a distinct point of view, strong business judgment, and the ability to translate a clear beverage vision into a consistent and well-executed program.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the beverage program from pre-opening through launch and ongoing operations
• Develop and maintain wine, spirits, cocktail, beer, and non-alcoholic programs appropriate to the different food and beverage experiences within the venture
• Collaborate closely with culinary and restaurant leadership to ensure the beverage program complements the culinary direction and overall experience
• Lead beverage tastings, selection, pricing, menu development, and ongoing refinement of the program
• Establish beverage systems, SOPs, service standards, inventory controls, training materials, and operational procedures
• Build and maintain strong relationships with distributors, importers, producers, and other beverage partners
• Lead purchasing, receiving, inventory, storage, and product allocation across the operation
• Own beverage cost, pricing strategy, inventory levels, purchasing, and other key financial and operational metrics
• Partner with finance and senior leadership on budgets, forecasting, and beverage-related P&L performance
• Analyze sales, product mix, margins, and inventory performance and make informed adjustments to support both the program and the business
• Recruit, train, develop, and lead the beverage team while supporting the continued beverage education of the broader FOH team
• Establish and maintain clear standards for wine and beverage service, including presentation, preparation, storage, and product knowledge
• Develop ongoing education and training around wine, spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and service standards
• Maintain an active presence on the floor, supporting service and ensuring consistent execution of the beverage program
• Partner with restaurant leadership on private dining, events, and other beverage-related programming and revenue opportunities
• Ensure compliance with all applicable liquor laws, licensing requirements, company policies, and responsible alcohol service standards
• Foster a culture centered on hospitality, professionalism, curiosity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
• Continue to evolve the beverage program after opening while maintaining a clear and cohesive point of view

Requirements

• Significant experience as a Beverage Director, Wine Director, or senior beverage leader within high-quality, full-service restaurants or hospitality environments
• Experience opening a restaurant or developing a beverage program from its early stages strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of wine, spirits, cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, with the ability to build a balanced and thoughtful program
• Strong understanding of beverage service and the relationship between the beverage, culinary, and overall hospitality experience
• Demonstrated experience with purchasing, inventory management, pricing, beverage cost, margins, and financial performance
• Proven ability to recruit, train, develop, and lead beverage professionals and educate broader service teams
• Strong industry relationships and knowledge of distributors, importers, producers, and the broader beverage landscape
• Highly organized and comfortable creating systems, controls, standards, and structure from the ground up
• A composed and accountable leader who communicates clearly and leads with consistency
• Collaborative in approach and comfortable working across beverage, culinary, operations, finance, and senior leadership
• Hands-on and detail-oriented, with a strong presence in the operation and high standards for service and execution
• Motivated by the opportunity to build and develop a beverage program with a long-term perspective

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Robust Paid Time Off Policy
• Performance-Based Incentive Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Dining Discounts across Mattos Hospitality
• Employee Assistance Program