Assistant General Manager | Creative Soho Spot | NYC

Job Description

Job Description

Emerging Soho restaurants that blends hyper-seasonal American fare with Asian accents is seeking an Assistant General Manager to join the leadership team.

The service manager works alongside the General Manager to oversee and elevate the daily operations of the restaurant, with a strong focus on service standards, team development, and guest satisfaction. In the absence of the General Manager, the service manager acts as the lead operator, ensuring that all aspects of the front-of-house run smoothly and in accordance with the core values and standards.

This is a service-first leadership role requiring calm, clarity, and consistency. The service manager leads by example, upholding a patient, professional, and positive demeanor at all times. They enforce standards as outlined in our SOPs, address performance issues when needed with fairness and without emotion, and ensure all team members are trained to the highest level to maintain consistency and excellence across the board.

Core Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Service Leadership

• Design and support a welcoming, elevated guest experience that builds lasting relationships.
• Point person for leading service and meal periods
• Ensure all staff are trained to guide guests confidently and with enthusiasm through their dining experience.
• Promote a service culture based on warmth, professionalism, and deep product knowledge.

Team Management & Development

• Hire, onboard, train, and develop FOH team members including hosts, bartenders, servers, barbacks, runners, reservationists, and sommeliers.
• Release FOH schedules in a timely manner, and approve time off requests
• Lead pre-service meetings, oversee daily sidework and team setup.
• Conduct performance reviews and ongoing coaching to support growth and accountability.
• Implement disciplinary measures when appropriate, per company policy.
• Maintain a team culture centered on respect, inclusivity, and high performance.

Operational Oversight

• Manage day-to-day FOH operations in collaboration with the GM and other department leads. Issuing appropriate cuts and phasing team members out to remain in line with target labor goals
• Point person for communication between the front and back of house.
• Lead on all FOH communication
• Maintain compliance with health and safety regulations, including all DOH requirements.
• Monitor and manage labor costs, including scheduling and weekly timecard audits.
• Oversee FOH inventory and dry goods ordering on a weekly basis.
• Support the Head Bartender with beverage training programs, storage systems, and inventory protocols.
• Ensure proper use and updating of the Toast POS system.
• Evening cash handling and close of shifts Nightly reports

Reservations & Floor Management

• Assist the hosts with the reservation system to optimize revenue and accommodate walk-ins, special requests, and seasonal fluctuations.
• Train and oversee the host team on reservation protocol and guest database management.
• Maintain and enhance guest notes to build a robust and personalized CRM system.
• Remain actively present on the floor to ensure smooth service and guest engagement.

Administrative & Financial Duties

• Assist the GM and ownership in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational goals.
• Provide weekly reports on financials, service quality, labor, and operations in collaboration with the bookkeeper/controller.
• Collaborate with HR to ensure compliance with all labor laws and internal policies.
• Ensure all certifications (e.g., Food Handler, Sexual Harassment Prevention) are current for self and team.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in restaurant management
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Passion for hospitality and a commitment to service excellence.
• Food Handler Certification and Sexual Harassment Training required.
• Wine and beverage knowledge a plus.