F&B Manager - World Expo 2027, Belgrade (US National Only)

Job Purpose

The F&B Manager runs the day-to-day front-of-house and beverage operation of the USA Pavilion, keeping it profitable, compliant and consistently on-brand. Deputising for the Senior Manager, the post holder leads the service team, owns the guest experience on the floor and is a senior representative of the pavilion during VIP and protocol events. As a US-national leadership role, presence, polish and discretion in front of dignitaries and the public are central to the position.

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Contract Type: Fixed-term contract — 5 months

Key Responsibilities

• Service and floor operations
• Run daily front-of-house and bar operations across all trading periods, ensuring the American diner concept is delivered consistently.
• Deputise for the Pavilion F&B Senior Manager, taking full charge of the operation in their absence.
• Set the pace, standards and sequence of service for every shift; lead from the floor during peak trading.
• Own the guest experience: greet, recover complaints, and personally oversee service for key guests and events.
• Team and standards
• Supervise, coach and develop the FOH team through the Assistant Manager and supervisors; run briefings and set daily targets.
• Manage rotas, breaks and labour deployment to match Expo footfall while controlling labour cost.
• Uphold TGP SOPs, brand standards, grooming and presentation on every shift.
• Commercial and controls
• Drive revenue and spend per head across food, beverage and retail touchpoints; hit daily and weekly sales targets.
• Control cash, POS, stock and beverage cost; enforce responsible-service and licensing rules.
• Support the Senior Manager with reporting, forecasting and stock ordering within sourcing constraints.
• Expo, VIP & Protocol Responsibilities
• Act as a senior representative of the USA Pavilion and, by extension, the United States, upholding the standards of conduct, discretion and presentation expected at a national pavilion hosting Heads of State, diplomats and dignitaries.
• Own the F&B and hospitality delivery for VIP and protocol events: national days, diplomatic delegations, Commissioner-General and State Department visits, sponsor receptions and official ceremonies, working to agreed protocol orders of service, seating, and flag / anthem etiquette.
• Coordinate with Trivandi, the U.S. Department of State Expo Unit, Expo organiser protocol teams and pavilion security on accreditation, guest lists, timings and access for high-profile visits.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality on guest identities, movements and event details; brief and hold the team to the same standard.
• Plan for surge demand, extended operating hours and peak-day / national-day footfall typical of a World Expo, without compromising service standards or food safety.

Requirements

• Strong F&B / restaurant or bar management experience in high-volume, quality-led environments.
• Confident floor leadership and the presence to host VIP and official guests.
• Good commercial control: labour, cash, stock and beverage cost.
• Excellent guest-service instincts and complaint recovery.
• Discretion, composure and professionalism under pressure.

Qualifications & Experience

• United States citizenship (mandatory for this role).
• Degree / diploma in Hospitality or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 6 years in F&B, with at least 3 in a management or assistant-management role.
• VIP, events or premium-hospitality experience preferred.
• Food-safety and responsible-service certification.
• Acknowledgement
• This job description reflects the principal duties of the role and is not exhaustive. Duties may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the USA Pavilion at World Expo 2027. The post holder is expected to carry out reasonable additional tasks as required by the management team.