General Manager

Lead the Waterfront. Build the Team. Own the Season.

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar is a destination unlike any other, bringing the energy of Spain’s coastal culture to the Alexandria waterfront. With Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine, an elevated wine and cocktail program, weekend brunch, events, and a one-of-a-kind riverfront setting, BARCA delivers an experience guests come back for season after season.

We’re looking for a General Manager who knows how to lead a seasonal, high-volume destination, someone who can build an exceptional team, maximize the peak season, and use the quieter months to strengthen the business for the year ahead. You’ll own the full business: people, hospitality, operations, and financial performance, and set the pace for one of Alexandria’s most unique waterfront destinations.

Lead & Develop People

• Build, coach, and retain a high-performing management team and seasonal staff.
• Create a culture of accountability, recognition, development, and fun.
• Build a strong talent pipeline ahead of the May–August hiring surge.
• Use the winter months to recruit, develop leaders, strengthen training, and prepare the team for peak season.
• Set clear expectations and lead effective manager meetings, one-on-ones, coaching, and performance conversations.

Own the Guest Experience

• Set the standard for energetic, polished, and genuine waterfront hospitality.
• Create memorable experiences that capture BARCA’s Spanish-Mediterranean spirit and lively personality.
• Stay visible on the floor, anticipate guest needs, and lead through the busiest moments.
• Maximize the guest experience across brunch, lunch, dinner, happy hour, events, cocktail classes, and peak waterfront weekends.
• Build a reputation for BARCA as a must-visit destination in Old Town Alexandria.

Conquer the Season

• Lead with urgency and precision during the May–August peak, when the restaurant generates approximately 70% of its annual business.
• Build staffing, scheduling, training, inventory, and operational plans well ahead of peak season.
• Anticipate volume shifts and flex labor and resources to meet demand without sacrificing service or profitability.
• Use the slower winter months to evaluate performance, improve systems, develop leaders, and prepare the business for the next season.
• Maintain momentum and team engagement during slower periods while keeping a clear focus on long-term growth.

Drive Restaurant Operations

• Own day-to-day FOH and BOH execution, ensuring exceptional food, beverage, service, cleanliness, and safety standards.
• Maintain seamless communication between FOH and BOH.
• Identify operational challenges early and move quickly to solve people, facility, equipment, and service issues.
• Ensure consistent training and execution of ARP standards.
• Lead confidently through high-volume, high-energy service while keeping the team focused and composed.

Own the Business

• Know the P&L and understand how daily decisions impact sales, labor, costs, and profitability.
• Build and execute seasonal business plans that maximize revenue during peak months and protect profitability during slower periods.
• Develop action plans to improve sales, labor efficiency, cost control, and overall performance.
• Leverage BARCA’s waterfront location, beverage program, events, brunch, and peak-season traffic to maximize sales opportunities.
• Balance short-term results with long-term team and business development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of General Manager experience in a full-service, high-volume restaurant.
• Proven success leading large teams in a seasonal, high-volume, or destination-driven operation.
• Passion for hospitality, people development, and creating experiences guests remember.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Energetic, confident leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong food, beverage, wine, and hospitality instincts.
• Experience managing significant seasonal fluctuations and aggressive hiring periods preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of restaurant P&L, labor management, and financial performance.
• Strong track record of developing managers and building high-performing teams.

How We Will Reward You

People are the CORE of our company. That’s why our benefits include:

• Monthly EBITDA bonus
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Paid time off and sick days
• Medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Complimentary dining privileges at any ARP location
• Flexible schedules
• Growth and development
• Parking pass