Head of Bars

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

About the role

As Head of Bars at The Park Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel, you will lead the beverage experience and day-to-day bar operations at Basalt Bar. Your initial focus will be on the pre-opening and launch of Basalt Bar, supported by our specialist bar consultants. Following the opening, you will oversee beverage programs and bar standards across all hotel bars, including the Park Lounge, working closely with the respective outlet leaders and our Head Sommelier, who oversees the wine program.

With a planned start date in January 2027, this is a unique opportunity to be part of the opening journey of a Four Seasons hotel and contribute to establishing Basalt Bar as an internationally recognized luxury bar destination, while shaping the beverage identity of our other bar concepts.

What you will do

• Act as the primary host and ambassador of Basalt Bar, cultivating guest relationships and building a loyal clientele.
• Lead the daily beverage operations of Basalt Bar and ensure exceptional service, quality and presentation standards.
• Following the opening, oversee beverage programs and bar standards across all hotel bars, including the Park Lounge, covering menu development, specifications and team training in collaboration with the respective outlet leaders and Head Sommelier.
• Develop and maintain innovative cocktail, spirits and non-alcoholic beverage offerings at the highest international standards.
• Create personalized and memorable beverage experiences for our guests.
• Handle guest feedback and service recovery with professionalism and discretion, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate follow-up.
• Lead, train and develop bartenders, apprentices and trainees.
• Design and deliver ongoing training programs covering service standards, beverage knowledge, concept storytelling and service rituals.
• Develop and manage shift planning and team rostering to optimize staffing levels against business demand and seasonal fluctuations.
• Ensure operational readiness for seasonal openings, peak periods such as the winter holiday season, and special events.
• Manage beverage inventory, stock control, cost performance and operational procedures.
• Support beverage revenue growth, profitability and the continued development of our bar concepts.
• Contribute to annual budgets, forecasts and beverage pricing in collaboration with the Director of Food & Beverage.
• Support brand partnerships, activations, promotions and special events.
• Represent Basalt Bar at local, regional and international industry events, bar competitions and media opportunities, and build relationships within the global bartending community and with key media contacts.
• Ensure compliance with responsible alcohol service, health and safety regulations and company standards.

What you bring

• A natural host with excellent interpersonal skills; personable, diplomatic and guest-focused.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in internationally recognized luxury bars, leading cocktail venues or world-class luxury hospitality operations, including at least 2 years in a bar leadership role.
• Pre-opening experience is highly desirable.
• Exceptional knowledge of mixology, spirits, cocktails and contemporary international beverage trends, with proven expertise in creating distinctive and innovative beverage concepts.
• Diploma or professional qualification in Hospitality Management, Food & Beverage or a related field preferred; recognized mixology, spirits, wine or beverage certifications are advantageous.
• Strong international experience, leadership skills, creativity, attention to detail and a proven track record of operating at the highest level of the luxury bar industry.
• Proficiency in POS systems, Microsoft Office and generative AI tools.
• Fluency in English and German and/or French required. Additional languages are advantageous.
• In accordance with Swiss employment regulations, only candidates holding Swiss or EU/EFTA citizenship, or a valid Swiss work authorization, can be considered for this position.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
• Employee meals and uniform laundry service.
• Monthly Employee Recognition Program.
• Global career growth opportunities through Task Forces and Transfers.
• Employee Travel Program after 6 months.

Schedule & Hours:

• Full-time, permanent position.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by business needs and seasonality.
• Typical operating seasons: June to September and December to March.
• During hotel closure periods, willingness to support Task Force assignments at other Four Seasons properties internationally.