General Manager | Central Park Boathouse

General Manager

The General Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations at the Central Park Boathouse, including restaurant service, private events, catering, guest experience, financial performance, staff leadership, and venue operations. This role ensures the venue maintains exceptional hospitality standards while maximizing profitability and operational efficiency in a high-volume luxury environment.

The GM serves as the senior on-site leader and brand ambassador for one of New York City's premier dining and event destinations.

Essential Functions

Operations Management

• Direct daily operations of the restaurant, event spaces, outdoor dining, and boating concessions.
• Ensure seamless execution of weddings, corporate events, private dining, and seasonal programming.
• Maintain high standards of service, cleanliness, safety, and guest satisfaction.
• Oversee opening/closing procedures and operational readiness.
• Practice safe work habits and complete company and venue safety and general compliance training.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, mentor, and manage department heads and hourly staff.
• Foster a culture of hospitality excellence, accountability, and teamwork.
• Conduct performance reviews and implement staff development plans.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, union agreements (if applicable), and HR policies.

Financial Oversight

• Manage P&L performance, budgeting, forecasting, and cost controls.
• Monitor labor, food, beverage, and operational expenses.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic programming, events, and guest experience initiatives.
• Analyze financial reports and implement corrective action where needed.

Guest Experience

• Maintain a luxury-level guest experience for restaurant patrons and event clients.
• Resolve escalated guest concerns professionally and efficiently.
• Build relationships with VIP clients, wedding planners, tourism partners, and community stakeholders.

Event & Catering Oversight

• Partner with sales and catering teams to execute high-profile events.
• Ensure flawless coordination between culinary, operations, and event staff.
• Oversee banquet operations and service standards.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to NYC health regulations, food safety standards, liquor laws, and venue policies.
• Maintain emergency preparedness and operational risk management procedures.
• Maintain a pleasant and collaborative attitude towards customers, co-workers, and management.

• Adheres to the Legends Global and venue company policies.
• Complete other duties as assigned by management.
• Available to work non-traditional hours (Nights, Weekends & Holidays)

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility and quickly adapt to changes.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work independently and work well as a team player.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 7–10+ years of senior hospitality or venue management experience.
• Experience managing high-volume restaurants, event venues, hotels, or landmark properties.
• Strong understanding of food & beverage operations and event management.
• Proven leadership, financial management, and operational planning skills.

Preferred Experience

• Luxury hospitality or iconic NYC venue experience
• Multi-outlet food and beverage management.
• Wedding and large-scale event operations.
• Union labor environment experience required.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & team building
• Guest relations
• Financial acumen
• Operational excellence
• Crisis management
• Strategic planning
• Hospitality service standards

Typical KPIs

• Guest satisfaction scores
• Revenue growth
• Labor cost percentage
• Food & beverage margins
• Event execution quality
• Employee retention
• Health & safety compliance

Compensation: Competitive salary of up to $130,000 plus bonus potential, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

Working Conditions: Location: Central Park Boathouse New York, NY

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift/move/maneuver at least 10 lbs – 50 lbs
• Standing, walking, bending, reaching and repetitive motions.

Note:

The essential responsibilities of this position are described below the above headings. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.