Assistant General Manager

A new upscale American restaurant and bar opening this fall in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood is building its opening management team and seeking an experienced Assistant General Manager with a strong background in wine, spirits, cocktails, beverage operations, and elevated floor service.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is equally comfortable building and maintaining a thoughtful beverage program as they are leading a busy dining room. The AGM will work closely with the General Manager, ownership, and culinary team throughout the opening process and will serve as a key Manager on Duty following opening.

The ideal candidate brings strong restaurant leadership experience, a genuine depth of beverage knowledge, and an understanding of how great beverage programs, hospitality, training, and operational discipline work together.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and support daily FOH operations with a strong focus on hospitality, service standards, and guest experience
• Serve as Manager on Duty and help oversee restaurant operations during service
• Assist in the development and opening of the restaurant’s wine, spirits, beer, and cocktail programs
• Participate hands-on in opening beverage purchasing, stocking, organization, pars, inventory systems, and bar setup
• Help develop and maintain wine and beverage lists, including product selection, pricing, costing, and vendor relationships
• Collaborate on cocktail development and ensure consistency, execution, and profitability of the beverage program
• Assist with beverage ordering, inventory management, cost controls, and ongoing program maintenance
• Develop and lead beverage education for FOH employees, including wine, spirits, cocktails, beer, and responsible alcohol service
• Help establish and maintain FOH service standards, steps of service, opening/closing procedures, and operating systems
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and development of the opening FOH team
• Lead pre-shift meetings and provide active, visible floor leadership during service
• Work collaboratively with the culinary team to ensure cohesive food, beverage, and service execution

What we’re looking for:

Candidates should have previous management experience in a high-volume, upscale casual or full-service restaurant environment, along with deep working knowledge of wine, spirits, cocktails, and bar operations. Strong floor presence, communication skills, attention to detail, and a hospitality-driven leadership style are essential.

Previous experience with new restaurant openings, opening systems, or beverage-program development is strongly preferred but not required. Formal wine or beverage certifications are welcomed but are not required when supported by significant practical experience.

This position requires someone willing to be hands-on during the opening process - from receiving and organizing the first beverage orders to training the opening team and who is excited about helping establish the culture and operating standards of a new restaurant from day one.

Compensation & Benefits : TBD (Based on Experience), health benefits, paid time off, and additional employee benefits.