Director of Food & Beverage

Role summary

Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.

The Director of Food & Beverage leads all dining, bar, banquet and room-service operations, ensuring outstanding guest experiences and strong commercial performance. Requirements typically include a degree or professional qualification in hospitality, extensive luxury-hotel F&B management experience, strong financial and operational knowledge, and excellent leadership skills. The successful candidate is expected to develop outlet strategies, control budgets and costs, maintain high service and hygiene standards, coach multicultural teams, and work closely with sales, culinary and hotel leadership. Experience in the UAE or an international luxury resort environment, together with strong communication and problem-solving abilities, would be highly valued.

About the employer

Shangri-La is a globally recognised luxury hospitality group founded in Asia and known for warm, personalised service. The company operates luxury hotels, resorts and residences across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America and other international markets. Shangri-La properties typically combine premium accommodation with restaurants, wellness facilities, meeting spaces and locally inspired experiences. The group places strong emphasis on genuine hospitality, colleague development, cultural awareness and responsible business practices. In the United Arab Emirates, Shangri-La has operated high-end properties serving both leisure and business travellers, with a focus on refined service and memorable dining. Working for the company generally offers exposure to international standards, multicultural teams and structured hotel operations, although senior roles require flexibility, commercial awareness and the ability to maintain consistent quality in a competitive luxury market.

Working in United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is not an island but a federation of seven emirates, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi offering the broadest hospitality opportunities. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise operations, events and luxury retail regularly recruit experienced international professionals. The culture blends Emirati traditions with a highly diverse expatriate population; modest dress in public places, respect for religion and awareness of local customs are important. Lifestyle options range from beaches, shopping and desert activities to major cultural and entertainment attractions. Employers normally sponsor employment visas, residence permits and medical checks after a formal offer; candidates should not work on a tourist visa. Packages may include accommodation or an allowance, transport, insurance and flights. Relocation costs, schooling and housing vary considerably by emirate, so these benefits should be confirmed before accepting an offer. UAE income is generally not subject to personal income tax, but living costs can be high.