Lead Bartender

Full-Time

Find Your Shangri-La in Shangri-La.

Shangri-La has been creating joyful moments through heartfelt hospitality since 1971 – and that spirit continues to guide us today.
As we look ahead to new horizons, we invite you to be part of our growing Shangri-La family and make a meaningful impact in the world – through joy, shared purpose, and our Asian art of hosting.

Located in the heart of the city, Shangri-La Toronto is an elegant sanctuary, nestled between the bustling business and entertainment districts. With the city’s best shopping, sports, live theatre, and cultural venues in proximity, guests enjoy unparalleled access to Toronto's vibrant offerings. 

Shangri-La Toronto

As a Service Associate – Lead Bartender, through consistent application of Shangri-La’s Core Practices and effective hands on participation in the service, ensures the highest quality standards of the Bar operations. Shows creativity, personal commitment and a true sense of hospitality, making the most impact on guest experiences in the bar through consistent application of Shangri-La’s core practices, maximizing colleague, guest and owner satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a high level of integrity, provide a 5-Star experience to Guests and Colleagues in providing true Shangri-La hospitality from a caring family.
• Interact with Colleagues as internal customers, strategic partners in delivering Shangri-La hospitality from caring people according to brand service deliverables.
• Through personal presence, style and personality, inspire a high level of warmth and professionalism amongst the bar service team, modeling a genuine personal commitment to service excellence and an emotional sense of gracious hospitality.
• In conjunction with the management team develop the Bar and Beverage program of Shangri-La Toronto; and responsible for making changes to the cocktail and spirits menu based on guest feedback and creative initiatives in line with budgeted business goals. 
• Supervises the monthly inventory of the bar and is responsible for PAR levels as well as dialing ordering for the bar. 
• Creatively work towards coming up with Beverage promotions and partnerships in conjunction with the management team. Focus on creating memorable guest experiences. 
• Ensuring that all events and promotions are geared towards raising awareness of the bar in terms of Public and Trade relations. 
• Effectively coach and train all new members of the team on the beverage program and standards, provide performance feedback on a regular basis to the management team
• Assist in identifying departmental training needs for monthly training plans. 
• Maintain expert knowledge of local bar trends and events
• Evaluate standards of cleanliness, maintenance and presentation plus safety of the bar through inspections and in conjunction with the management team ensures areas of deficiency are resolved to achieve service expectations. 
• Ensures that the day-to-day operations of the bar meet and/or exceed the service standards and hotel’s operational policies which include SFSMS (food safety) requirements. 
• Attends daily / monthly communications meetings within the department, ensuring effective communication amongst colleagues
• Ensures full compliance by the team with local laws as related to safe and responsible service of all alcohol

About you:

• Ability to identify areas of improvement and implement systems for improvement.
• Functional knowledge – Passion for food and strives to exceed expectations for service excellence with demonstrated understanding of international fine dining, wine, beverage and service standards commensurate of the leading hotels in the world.
• Customer Service Excellence – Exceptional service style, genuinely warm presence, friendly, sincere nature, drive for service excellence, internally proud, outwardly gracious and humble. 
• Internal Service – appreciation that ‘internal customers’ (i.e. other colleagues) are considered strategic partners.
• Communication – Excellent communication and social skills, 100% fluency in English with impeccable standards of hygiene and grooming.
• Safety Focus – Demonstrates safe work practices and looks for ways to minimize workplace injuries
• Decision making – Able to prioritize, making prompt and reasonable decisions.
• Problem solving – Adept at juggling multiple needs, calmly, respectfully, creatively and successfully resolve problems, as required.
• Emotional maturity – Interacts with others in a respectful manner, with demonstrated qualities of sincerity, helpfulness, courtesy and humility.
• Ethical and professional conduct – Fulfills responsibilities with highest integrity.
• Technology proficiency – Operates and maintains all departmental equipment, fully competent with POS.
• Minimum 2 years previous work experience in a similar capacity, ideally in a world-class luxury hotel brand.
• Completion of a WSET certification, or equivalent wine education, is an asset.
• Previous fine dining or luxury level service knowledge and training an asset.
• Flexibility in schedule and availability on weekdays, weekends and/or holidays is required.
• Current Smart Serve certification.
• Must be eligible to work in Canada.

Why Join Us

• A workplace that values your passion and supports self-realization and personal growth.
• Structured learning and development pathways with real opportunities to advance your professional craft and leadership skills.
• Competitive benefits, recognition programs, and colleague stay/travel perks that reward your contribution and dedication.
• Teams that promote inclusion and respect, value diversity, and foster a secure environment where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcomed. All information provided by applicants will be treated in and used only for recruitment purposes.
We appreciate your interest in joining us. Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.

Shangri-La Toronto is compliant with its obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and will provide reasonable accommodation in the application and interview process for this position upon request.