General Manager | Exciting, Growing Mediterranean Concept | NYC (New York City Metropolitan Area)

About the Role

We are opening an exciting new luxury dining concept in New York and are seeking a General Manager to build the operation from the ground up. You will lead the restaurant through every phase of pre-opening—from operational planning and recruitment to training, systems implementation, and launch—before transitioning into full operational leadership. Working closely with ownership and cross-functional partners, you will establish the culture, standards, and guest experience that define the concept while driving financial performance and developing a high-performing team. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced operator who thrives in openings and is looking to leave a lasting mark on a flagship restaurant.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven experience as a General Manager or F&B Director within luxury hospitality and high-end restaurant or lifestyle dining environments, preferably within internationally recognized global brands.
• Extensive experience leading restaurant openings from construction through pre-opening and successful launch, including budget development, project coordination, SOP creation, and operational planning.
• Strong financial acumen with full responsibility for budgets, P&L, forecasting, CAPEX and OPEX management, and pre-opening financial control.
• Executive-level leadership experience managing large-scale restaurant operations with both front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of US regulatory requirements including health and safety, labor laws, licensing, and compliance in a major metropolitan market such as New York City.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and retain high-performing teams with a strong focus on culture, training, and long-term development.
• Strong communication skills in English; additional languages are an advantage.
• Strong creativity in luxury dining, lifestyle hospitality, guest experience design, and food and beverage programming.
• Proficiency in MS Office, POS systems, and restaurant management platforms.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong executive presence with the ability to lead diverse, high-performing teams in a high-energy environment.
• Ability to manage complex multi-outlet restaurant operations while maintaining a vibrant and consistent guest experience.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills under pressure.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, manage costs, and deliver strong financial performance.
• Strong project management capability including budgeting, vendor coordination, contract review, construction oversight, and site coordination.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong execution discipline.
• Ability to develop, coach, and inspire teams at all levels.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage ownership, designers, contractors, and senior stakeholders.
• Passion for lifestyle hospitality, guest experience, and creating memorable dining moments.
• Strong understanding of current US hospitality and New York dining trends.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy New York environment.
• High standards of professionalism, presentation, and integrity.
• Strong collaboration skills across ownership, operations, and creative teams.

Key Targets

• Achieve monthly and annual revenue, operating profit (GOP), and overall profitability targets.
• Maintain exceptional guest satisfaction aligned with the concept's brand standards .
• Deliver successful pre-opening timelines, budgets, and project milestones.
• Ensure financial discipline and cost control across pre-opening and post-opening phases.
• Build a strong team culture with high engagement, retention, and leadership development.
• Ensure full compliance with SOPs, health and safety standards, and US regulatory requirements.
• Establish strong brand presence in the New York market, driving demand, reservations, and visibility.
• Maintain world-class restaurant presentation, energy, and operational readiness at all times.
• Successfully execute soft opening and grand opening, reflecting the concept's lifestyle identity .

General Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities

• Lead the restaurant journey from construction through pre-opening and full operational launch.
• Develop pre-opening budgets, operational plans, and strategic frameworks aligned with brand direction.
• Oversee development and implementation of SOPs, service standards, and training programs.
• Coordinate closely with contractors, architects, designers, ownership, and stakeholders to ensure brand alignment.
• Monitor construction progress and ensure operational requirements are achieved throughout development.
• Manage all pre-opening activities including recruitment, staffing structure, onboarding, and leadership setup.
• Lead pre-opening operational and financial readiness meetings.
• Oversee procurement, vendor selection, and contract negotiations for operational readiness.
• Execute soft opening and grand opening strategy, ensuring seamless guest experience and brand delivery.
• Monitor financial projections across construction, pre-opening, and launch phases.

Post Opening – Operations & Financial Management

• Oversee day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring exceptional guest experience and energy-driven service.
• Full P&L responsibility including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting.
• Conduct monthly operational and financial reviews with department heads.
• Ensure compliance with all SOPs, internal policies, and US regulatory requirements.
• Oversee restaurant presentation, maintenance standards, inventory, security, and procurement compliance.
• Lead weekly operational meetings and performance tracking.

Sales, Marketing & Business Development

• Develop and execute sales strategies aligned with the concept's brand positioning.
• Drive guest engagement and team participation in revenue-generating initiatives.
• Analyze performance data to optimize revenue, demand, and profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to strengthen brand visibility and desirability in the New York market.

Team Leadership & Guest Experience

• Maintain strong floor presence to drive energy, service standards, and guest engagement.
• Recruit, train, and develop high-performing restaurant teams and leaders.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and succession planning.
• Manage guest feedback with speed and care, ensuring service excellence at all times.
• Create an internal culture that brings to life the concept's lifestyle of vibrant energy, timeless elegance, and exceptional hospitality.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain active presence across the restaurant, vendors, and project sites to support operational and pre-opening execution.
• Work a flexible schedule aligned with a high-energy luxury dining environment, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak service periods.
• Support all areas of the business as required to ensure operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and brand consistency.