General Manager

General Manager – Roka Akor Old Orchard

Roka Akor Japanese Steakhouse, Sushi & Seafood is seeking an experienced, hands-on General Manager to lead our Old Orchard location.

Roka Akor is a contemporary Japanese restaurant centered around the Robata grill , premium steaks, fresh seafood, sushi, and a carefully curated beverage program. We are looking for a leader who understands that exceptional restaurant performance comes from balancing outstanding hospitality with disciplined operations.

The Role

The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance and day-to-day leadership of the restaurant. This is a highly visible, hands-on position for someone who enjoys being on the floor, developing people, building relationships with guests, and driving results.

The GM will work closely with the Executive Chef and regional leadership to maintain Roka Akor standards while continuing to strengthen the restaurant’s culture, service, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the FOH management and hourly teams
• Establish a strong culture of hospitality, accountability, and professionalism
• Maintain an active presence on the floor during service
• Recruit, train, coach, and retain high-performing team members
• Ensure consistent execution of Roka Akor service standards
• Develop managers and create clear accountability within the leadership team
• Build relationships with regular guests and the surrounding community
• Oversee scheduling, labor management, payroll, and staffing levels
• Monitor sales, labor, COGS, prime cost, and other key operating metrics
• Partner closely with the Executive Chef on restaurant operations and financial performance
• Maintain strong inventory, purchasing, invoice, and cost-control practices
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, alcohol service, and company policies
• Drive revenue through exceptional guest experiences, local relationship building, private dining, and operational execution
• Maintain the physical condition and presentation of the restaurant
• Identify opportunities for improvement and take ownership of implementing solutions

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is an experienced restaurant leader who combines genuine hospitality with strong operational and financial discipline.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of General Manager or senior restaurant management experience
• Experience in upscale, fine dining, chef-driven, or high-volume restaurants strongly preferred
• Proven ability to lead and develop managers and hourly teams
• Strong understanding of restaurant financials, including labor, COGS, inventory, and prime cost
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong floor presence and guest-recovery skills
• Ability to hold teams accountable while maintaining a positive and professional culture
• Experience with restaurant technology and operating systems
• Beverage knowledge is a plus
• Japanese cuisine experience is helpful but not required

The Leader We Want

We are looking for someone who takes ownership .

Someone who notices problems before they become bigger problems, follows through on commitments, develops their people, understands the numbers, and is equally comfortable reviewing a P&L or spending Saturday night on the dining room floor.

This position is best suited for a leader who wants to operate a restaurant as their own business while having the resources and support of an established restaurant group.

About Roka Akor

Roka Akor is a contemporary Japanese steakhouse, sushi, and seafood concept featuring dishes inspired by the Japanese Robata grill. Our restaurants combine sophisticated cuisine, genuine hospitality, and energetic dining environments to create memorable guest experiences.

Location: Roka Akor – Old Orchard, Skokie, Illinois
Position: General Manager
Employment: Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive salary + bonus opportunity and benefits

If you are an experienced restaurant leader who believes in high standards, strong teams, financial accountability, and genuine hospitality, we would like to hear from you.