Pool Food & Beverage Operations Manager

The Pool, Food & Beverage Operations Manager is responsible for the seamless operation of all poolside hospitality experiences at the ACE Hotel Palm Springs. This role requires a dynamic leader with a passion for hospitality, a keen eye for maximizing revenue streams, and a strong commitment to guest safety and satisfaction. The Pool F&B Operations Manager will oversee pool attendants, cabana & poolside servers, food runners, bartenders, barbacks, and security/ID personnel, ensuring top-tier service, smooth logistics, and a vibrant, engaging atmosphere for both daytime and nighttime pool programming.

This position will spearhead marketing initiatives, entertainment booking, guest engagement programs, cabana/daybed rentals, and poolside activations while ensuring all safety, compliance, and risk management protocols are rigorously upheld. The ideal candidate is a creative, revenue-driven professional with strong operational expertise and a deep understanding of Palm Springs' hospitality landscape.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Leadership & Team Management

Lead, train, and manage all poolside front-of-house teams, ensuring exceptional guest service and operational efficiency.

Oversee scheduling, hiring, and performance management of pool attendants, servers, bartenders, barbacks, food runners, and security/ID personnel.

Maintain close coordination with the Director of Food & Beverage to align pool operations with overall hotel F&B goals.

Implement service standards and training programs that enhance guest experience, focusing on hospitality, engagement, and efficiency.

Conduct regular team meetings and pre-shift briefings to ensure all staff are aligned with daily goals, VIP arrivals, and special event logistics.

Act as the primary escalation point for guest service issues, working swiftly to resolve concerns and maintain ACE Hotel's reputation for exceptional hospitality.

Revenue Optimization & Guest Experience

Develop strategies to maximize cabana, daybed, and pool amenity rentals, ensuring optimal pricing, packaging, and inventory management.

Design and execute high-impact F&B programming to drive revenue, including seasonal cocktail menus, curated poolside dining options, and beverage promotions.

Optimize upselling opportunities for guests, from bottle service to VIP experiences and group bookings.

Partner with the hotel's sales and marketing teams to drive pool membership packages, day passes, and special event ticket sales.

Monitor poolside retail sales, curating exclusive merchandise and promotional offerings to enhance revenue potential.

Track and analyze financial performance, including P&L oversight, labor cost control, and per-guest spend optimization.

Marketing, Programming & Entertainment

Own the marketing strategy for all poolside experiences, creating compelling content, promotional campaigns, and digital/social activations in partnership with the hotel's marketing team.

Curate and book entertainment for daytime pool parties and night swim events, ensuring a strong mix of DJs, live performers, and themed programming that aligns with the ACE Hotel brand.

Develop and execute branded partnerships, sponsor activations, and influencer collaborations to elevate the ACE Hotel's pool scene.

Create unique guest engagement programs, including fitness events, wellness activations, pop-up experiences, and themed nights.

Oversee social media engagement and content creation for the pool area, leveraging real-time storytelling to boost visibility and attendance.

Guest Experience & Poolside Amenities

Develop and implement signature poolside amenities, such as complimentary sunscreen stations, towel service enhancements, and exclusive VIP experiences.

Maintain an unparalleled guest service culture, ensuring all team members anticipate and exceed guest expectations.

Gather and analyze guest feedback to continuously refine and enhance the poolside experience.

Foster a culture of hospitality innovation, implementing new trends in poolside F&B, entertainment, and guest engagement.

Risk Management & Safety Compliance

Proactively identify and mitigate safety risks on the pool deck, including overcrowding, intoxication management, and physical hazards.

Ensure all security, ID verification, and access control protocols are rigorously enforced, particularly during high-profile events.

Conduct routine safety drills and compliance training for all pool staff, ensuring full adherence to health and safety regulations.

Maintain compliance with local and state health codes, ensuring all sanitation, water quality, and food safety standards are met.

Serve as the primary liaison for emergency response protocols, coordinating with hotel security, medical personnel, and local authorities as needed.

Best Practices & Industry Insights

To ensure the ACE Hotel's pool remains one of the top hospitality destinations in Palm Springs, the Pool F&B Operations Manager should implement:

Luxury-style service training for all frontline staff, blending high-touch hospitality with a relaxed, engaging vibe.

Seasonal & themed event programming to maintain fresh, exciting guest experiences year-round.

AI-powered revenue management tools for dynamic pricing on cabanas, daybeds, and bottle service.

Hyper-personalization efforts, leveraging guest data to create VIP experiences based on past preferences.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

5+ years of hospitality experience, with at least 2+ years in poolside F&B operations or nightlife/event programming.

Proven leadership in high-volume, resort-style pool operations, beach clubs, or hotel poolside venues.

Experience managing large-scale events, live entertainment bookings, and promotional campaigns.

Strong understanding of POS systems, inventory control, and financial reporting.

Ability to analyze revenue data and implement profit-maximizing strategies.

Knowledge of liquor laws, food safety, and security best practices.

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and VIP guest relations skills.

Creative mindset with a strong eye for branding, marketing, and content creation.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced, outdoor environment , managing large teams under pressure.