Vice President of Food & Beverage - Circuit of the Americas

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events located in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched in the country with Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR, and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit and LiveNation producing over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Opening Summer of 2025, COTA’s amusement park is a 20 acre theme park featuring two first of their kind Roller Coasters and over two dozen rides.

COTA’s food service provider, Proof of the Pudding, is seeking an experienced hospitality executive to join our growing Sports & Entertainment team. The VP of Food & Beverage will implement and then lead the food and beverage program within COTA’s amusement park as well as COTA’s current Food and Beverage Program. The VP of Food & Beverage will be the main contact to the COTA client and team members. The ideal candidate has proven experience in large scale concessions management and is a strong leader with a mindset for team development.

Responsibilities:

1. Design and implement business operations to ensure maximum efficiency and profitability of the food and beverage operation.
2. Responsible for concessions and beverage management of year-round scheduled events including POS installation, operational planning, ordering/receiving, equipment and goods inventory, onsite set-up, event execution, and end of event break-down.
3. Supervise the preparation and service of food and refreshments.
4. Coordinate logistics and facilitate operational needs for 3rd party vendor success.
5. Lead all POS maintenance, management, and distribution.
6. Maintain bar policies and procedures, ensure bartenders understand and are familiar with venue policies.
7. Look for methods to improve quality, efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, increase profits, or improve control measures.
8. Set comprehensive goals for department performance and growth.
9. Oversee daily operations of the department and the work of 5 managers and up to 50 hourly employees.
10. Lead employees to encourage maximum performance. Evaluate performance based on set expectations, data, and metrics.
11. Organize frequent meetings and open lines of communication with sales, operations, and culinary teams.
12. Monitor the team and schedule including reporting status, progress updates, and identifying areas that require corrective actions.
13. Responsible for managing and participating in interviewing new employees, developing strategies for developing talent at all levels, and coaching organizational leaders.
14. Foster a growth oriented, positive and encouraging environment while keeping employees and management accountable to company policies, procedures and guidelines.
15. Practice an open door policy for employee grievances or dissatisfaction, documenting and addressing and escalating, as needed, appropriately and timely.
16. Hold staff accountable for fulfilling job description, conduct performance reviews of direct reports and ensure timely hourly reviews, coach and follow company guidelines for documentation of any lack of performance.
17. Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on the operations and finances of the venue.
18. Forge strategic partnerships and relationships with clients, vendors, agencies, venue partners and all other professional business relationships.

Perform other related duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in related field, MBA is preferred AND/OR 15+ years of experience in large-scale Concessions Management, Senior Management in Food & Beverage, or similar.
2. Experience at Amusement Parks, Zoos or Large-Scale resorts is preferable but not required.
3. Advanced computer knowledge, including Windows and Microsoft Office.
4. ServSafe certified or willing to obtain certification upon employment.
5. Must live near or be willing to relocate to the Austin, TX area.

Specialized Qualifications:

1. Proven experience building and maintaining positive relationships with clients.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
3. Must maintain a professional and calm demeanor.
4. Excellent listening and communication skills.
5. Proven time management and delegation abilities.
6. Servant leader mindset with the ability to jump in and help solve challenges.

COMPANY CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships.
2. Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion.
3. Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs.
4. Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards.
5. Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
6. Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust.
7. Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
8. Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjust well to new situations.
9. Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency.

Work Environment

This role consists of in-office work and traveling throughout the venue via vehicle, golf cart, or similar. Office work consists of long periods of sitting at a desk, interdepartmental meetings, screen and phone usage, and communicating orally and through writing often. This position can work indoors, outdoors, and in temporary structured tents/buildings.

Physical Demands:

1. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Prolonged periods of moving throughout the venue, bending, lifting, and reaching as needed.
3. Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 30 lbs.

Position Salary & Benefits:

1. This is considered a full-time salary role. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
2. Full-time eligible employees may choose to enroll in optional benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Life and AD&D.
3. Proof is pleased to provide all full-time eligible employees with Basic Life and AD&D as well as long term disability at no cost to employees.
4. Additional benefits include cell phone reimbursement and commuter benefits.

Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

This is posted on behalf of our partner Proof of the Pudding