Operations Manager - Food & Beverage

Operations Manager - Food & Beverage

Business Advancement Blackwell Food and Beverage Operations

The Blackwell Inn & Pfahl Conference Center – The Ohio State University

Lead. Innovate. Elevate the Guest Experience.

Are you a driven hospitality leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and loves bringing teams and experiences to life? At The Blackwell Inn, you'll have the opportunity to lead a dynamic, multi-outlet operation at the heart of The Ohio State University—where no two days are the same and every experience matters.

About the Role

As an Operations Manager, Food & Beverage, you'll play a key leadership role in delivering exceptional service across our full-service restaurant, lounge, student meal program, in-room dining, and banquet operations. You'll partner closely with culinary and leadership teams to create memorable dining experiences while driving operational excellence, team engagement, and financial performance.

This is a hands-on role for a leader who enjoys being on the floor, coaching teams, solving challenges in real time, and continuously improving the guest experience.

What You'll Do

Lead Operations & Guest Experience

Oversee daily operations across all dining outlets and banquets to ensure smooth, high-quality service

Actively lead on the floor, ensuring excellence in service, cleanliness, safety, and sustainability

Deliver memorable guest experiences and resolve concerns quickly and professionally

Drive consistency with brand standards, including Preferred Hotels quality expectations

Ensure operations run efficiently and profitably

Team Leadership & Business Operations

Recruit, train, schedule, and develop staff and student workforce

Support payroll, performance management, and team engagement initiatives

Partner with culinary leadership on menu development, presentation, and service execution

Support marketing and promotion efforts to grow revenue and enhance visibility

Monitor labor and expenses, optimize productivity, and contribute to financial goals

Other Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and operational requirements (e.g., alcohol service, safety, sanitation)

Take on additional duties to support business needs and team success

What You Bring

A passion for hospitality, leadership, and creating exceptional guest experiences

Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills

A hands-on, team-first leadership style with the ability to motivate and develop others

Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment

Work Schedule

This role requires flexibility to meet the needs of a 24/7 hospitality operation, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

3 years of relevant experience

Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Associate degree in hospitality or related field

4 + years of relevant experience

Why Join Us?

At The Blackwell Inn, you'll be part of a team dedicated to excellence, learning, and growth—right at the heart of The Ohio State University campus. This is more than a job, it's an opportunity to build your leadership skills, develop your career, and create meaningful guest experiences every day.

Working at The Blackwell Inn means being part of one of the nation's leading public universities, with access to exceptional benefits and career growth opportunities:

Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.

Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.

State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

Tuition assistance programs—invest in your future with OSU educational opportunities

Professional development and career advancement within a world-class institution

Additional Information:

The target hiring range for this job profile is $ 55,700 - $72,700. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.

Function - Food Service

Sub Function - Food Service

Band - Managerial

Level - M1

Location: Blackwell Inn (0254)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: Varying Shifts

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.