Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards And Recognition
Education And Certifications
Timeline
Generic

JAMAL ARIF

Los Angeles

Summary

Director of operations and concept builder with extensive experience in developing globally recognized beverage programs. Expertise in F&B strategy for Marriott and Hilton, including successful bar build-outs and award-winning cocktail initiatives. Strong financial acumen in managing costs and labor while enhancing brand identity through innovative program design. Proven ability to drive revenue growth and improve guest experiences across diverse hospitality venues.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Bar Operations

Denco Family + Impossible Bars
01.2022 - Current
  • Oversee beverage and bar operations across a multi-concept hospitality group and collaborate on hotel F&B programs with Marriott and Hilton. While actively building and enchanting Thunderbolt, Night on Earth and Semiprecious (Denver). Responsible for financial performance, strategic growth, team leadership, and brand positioning.
  • Financial & Strategic Leadership: Developed and managed multimillion-dollar budgets across multiple venues; reviewed P&Ls, closed variances, and executed corrective plans that improved departmental performance and margins.
  • Capital Planning & Growth: Recommended and delivered CAPEX (equipment & renovations) aligned to brand and market strategy; prioritized investments with clear ROI.
  • Compliance & Controls: Implemented liquor accountability and cash-control systems across venues; standardized ordering, inventory, and yield tracking to meet hotel/corporate standards.
  • Team Development & Succession: Built high-performing leadership benches through structured training, clear standards, and progression paths; drove accountability while protecting culture.
  • Guest Experience: Converted guest feedback and survey data into concrete service fixes and menu refinements; protected profitability while elevating hospitality.
  • Cross-Brand Adaptability: Designed and launched beverage concepts ranging from award-winning independent cocktail programs to corporate hotel outlets-scaling creativity within brand compliance.
  • Market Research & Concept Development: Led comp-set and neighborhood analysis (demand by daypart, price sensitivity, sales-mix opportunities) to position each outlet; created concepts from scratch and translated them into menu architecture, pricing strategy, and programming.
  • Beverage Creation & Program Architecture: Built ambitious cocktail, wine, beer, and spirits programs curated to market and brand; standardized specs, costing, batching, and prep schedules to ensure consistency and scalability.
  • Build-Outs & Openings: Partnered with architects/MEP and ownership from schematic design through commissioning: bar ergonomics, equipment spec/procurement, BOH/FOH layout, power/drain/water placement, smallwares, and critical-path pre-opening.
  • Target-Guest Strategy & Revenue Uplift: Defined target guest profiles and built offerings, promotions, and service flows to match-driving higher capture rate, check average, and outlet revenue while maintaining guest-satisfaction gains.

Director of Operations

Denco Family + Thunderbolt
Los Angeles
01.2022 - Current
  • Directed day-to-day operations for a nationally acclaimed cocktail bar, managing scheduling, inventory, and vendor relationships in a high-volume environment.
  • Developed core systems for prep, labor tracking, and inventory management that later scaled into full multi-unit practices.
  • Introduced structured ordering and inventory processes that set the foundation for maintaining liquor costs consistently under budget.
  • Supported ownership in concept development and program innovation, contributing to Thunderbolt's recognition on The World's 50 Best Bars and national press.
  • Recruited and trained staff while cultivating a culture of accountability, professionalism, and guest-focused hospitality.
  • Collaborated with bar leadership to design prep systems that supported advanced cocktail batching and streamlined service execution.

Operations Manager

Thunderbolt
Los Angeles
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • Directed operations for a nationally acclaimed cocktail bar, overseeing scheduling, inventory, vendor relations, and cost-control systems.
  • Systematized day-to-day operations - implemented structured prep, ordering, batching, and labor processes that ensured consistency, accountability, and cost efficiency across shifts.
  • Partnered with ownership and bar leadership to develop beverage menus that gained international press and awards, including recognition on The World's 50 Best Bars.
  • Improved labor efficiency and profitability through training, forecasting, and workflow design, while maintaining a culture of professional hospitality.
  • Created operational foundations for long-term scalability, later adopted at the multi-unit level under the Director of Operations role.

Bar Lead

Death & Co
Los Angeles
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Supported operations for one of the most awarded cocktail programs globally.
  • Maintained high-level service standards and guest experience expectations in a world-renowned environment.

Lead Bartender/Bar Manager

The Normandie Club
Los Angeles
01.2015 - 01.2019
  • Managed a high-volume cocktail bar, supervising scheduling, inventory, and training for a large team.
  • Drove guest experience initiatives and brand consistency, resulting in multiple industry awards.
  • Recognized for building a strong bar culture and leading one of LA's most influential cocktail programs.

Education

Bachelor of Business - Business

Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
09-2013

Skills

  • Menu development and design
  • Compliance and legal assurance
  • Beverage innovation strategies
  • Revenue and cost optimization
  • Customer experience enhancement
  • Staff training and development
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Bar layout and design
  • Employee retention strategies
  • Budget planning and oversight
  • Vendor relationship management
  • Restaurant management expertise
  • ABC compliance standards
  • Marketing and sales strategies
  • Financial acumen and analysis
  • Multi-unit leadership skills
  • Guest satisfaction focus
  • Team development and succession planning
  • Scalable beverage operations management
  • Concept and design leadership

Awards And Recognition

Campari 'One to Watch' Award, 2021, Ranked No. 66, The World's 50 Best Bars extended list, 2022, Ranked No. 64, The World's 50 Best Bars 51-100, 2024, Ranked No. 8 on North America's 50 Best Bars; awarded Best in the West (USA), 2024, Winner - Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, North America's 50 Best Bars, 2025, James Beard Foundation: Outstanding Bar - Semifinalist, 2025, Best American Cocktail Bar, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, 2019, Named to The World's 50 Best Bars, Drinks International, multiple years, Winner - Best Crew, Time Out Los Angeles Bar Awards, 2018, Runner-Up - Best Legacy Bar, Time Out Los Angeles Bar Awards, 2018, Runner-Up - Best Cocktail in the City (Sazerac), Time Out Los Angeles Bar Awards, 2018, Recognized by Best of Los Angeles Awards for hospitality and atmosphere

Education And Certifications

  • WSET Level 1 & 2 Certified
  • BarSmarts Advanced
  • Certified Beer Server - Cicerone Program
  • TIPS Certified (Responsible Alcohol Service)
  • ServSafe Manager

Timeline

Director of Bar Operations

Denco Family + Impossible Bars
01.2022 - Current

Director of Operations

Denco Family + Thunderbolt
01.2022 - Current

Operations Manager

Thunderbolt
01.2019 - 01.2022

Bar Lead

Death & Co
01.2019 - 01.2020

Lead Bartender/Bar Manager

The Normandie Club
01.2015 - 01.2019

Bachelor of Business - Business

Los Angeles City College

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