General Manager

Shy Shy | Chelsea, New York, NY Shy Shy is a neighborhood cocktail bar in Chelsea built around thoughtful drinks, warm hospitality, a strong food program, and a growing mix of regular service, weekend nightlife, and private events. We are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead the day-to-day operation and play a meaningful role in the continued development of the business. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can run a high-volume Saturday night while also thinking strategically about how to strengthen a slower Sunday, build the week, improve systems, and create new reasons for guests to return. The GM will oversee service, staffing, training, guest experience, financial performance, operational standards, and the overall organization of the business. They will work closely with our beverage, culinary, and events teams while taking clear ownership of the day-to-day operation. Shy Shy continues to evolve. We have busy Friday and Saturday DJ nights, a strong Happy Hour, an expanding private events business, and opportunities to further develop programming and dayparts over time, including the potential introduction of brunch service. We are looking for someone who is excited by that opportunity and wants to help shape what comes next. The successful candidate will begin with a structured transition alongside our existing leadership team to learn the business, understand our standards and systems, and build strong relationships with the team before taking full responsibility for the operation. Responsibilities Lead all day-to-day front-of-house operations and maintain high standards for hospitality, service, and guest experience Recruit, train, develop, and retain a strong management and hourly team Set clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and build a positive, professional team culture Develop the management team and ensure managers are equipped to lead shifts, coach staff, and maintain standards Be highly present on the floor and actively involved in service, guest engagement, and issue resolution Oversee scheduling, payroll, labor management, staffing levels, and hiring needs Manage COGS, inventory, ordering, vendor relationships, and overall operational controls Manage budgets, projections, sales performance, labor targets, and other key financial metrics Build and maintain strong systems around service standards, opening and closing procedures, side work, cash handling, and overall organization Work closely with the Beverage Director and Culinary Director to ensure consistency, training, and strong execution across both programs Partner with the events team to ensure private events are executed seamlessly while maintaining a strong regular-service experience Maintain cleanliness, repairs, safety, and overall facility standards while ensuring compliance with NYC regulations Review business performance and identify opportunities to improve operations, guest experience, revenue, and profitability Help develop new ideas, programming, and initiatives that strengthen the business across the week What We're Looking For Previous General Manager, Assistant General Manager, or comparable senior hospitality leadership experience New York City management experience strongly preferred Experience leading a beverage-driven, high-volume operation with strong hospitality standards Strong cocktail, spirits, wine, and overall beverage knowledge A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead a strong team while setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability Experience developing managers and building a strong leadership structure within an operation Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing labor, COGS, budgeting, forecasting, and hospitality financials Strong floor presence with the ability to lead from within the operation while also working independently and taking ownership Experience with private events and event-driven businesses strongly preferred Adaptable, commercially minded, entrepreneurial, and excited to help shape an evolving business This is a full-time position of approximately 50–55 hours per week, with a typical Wednesday–Sunday schedule. Benefits include fully paid health insurance, paid time off, and dining discounts. There is an opportunity for the successful candidate to grow their responsibility and compensation as they establish themselves in the role and take full responsibility for the operation. About Shy Shy Shy Shy was created to be a true neighborhood bar — lively when it should be, relaxed when it can be, and always centered on genuine hospitality. Two of our partners lead key areas of the business: Beverage Director Krissy Harris oversees the creative direction of our beverage program, while Events Director Marissa Cheshier leads our private events program. The General Manager will work closely with both, as well as our Culinary Director, while owning the day-to-day operation and ensuring each part of the business works together seamlessly. We are looking for someone who wants to feel genuinely invested in the bar — someone who takes pride in the space, builds a great team, strengthens the operation, and continually looks for ways to make the business better. Shy Shy has a strong foundation and plenty of room to evolve. We want someone who believes in what we have built so far, understands the brand, and is excited to help determine where it goes next. Shy Shy