Albert's Restaurant General Manager - San Diego Zoo

Albert's Restaurant General Manager

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

The Albert's General Manager performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction. The Albert's Restaurant General Manager is responsible budget analytics, revenue generation, inventory management, merchandising, ordering, guest service, employee relations, food safety management, facility management, kitchen management, collaborates with Concept/Executive Chef on menu development, and strategic planning. The Albert's Restaurant General Manager is responsible for the Full-Service Restaurants and additional Retail outlets and duties as assigned. This position reports to the Director of Retail Operations. The Albert's Restaurant General Manager is the final decision maker for the restaurant operations.

What You Will Do

• Employee Management - provides strategic and operational leadership for both Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) teams, ensuring a seamless integration of service excellence and culinary standards. This role is responsible for employee management, including the design and execution of recruitment strategies, comprehensive onboarding, and the administration of performance-based incentive and training programs. A key priority is cultivating a high-engagement culture where staff-led innovation is encouraged, and operational workflows are continuously optimized. Beyond personnel management, the Albert's Restaurant General Manager serves as a critical liaison to campus-wide departments, collaborating with retail leadership on menu engineering and conceptual development to ensure financial viability and departmental efficiency. The incumbent maintains rigorous oversight of all administrative functions, including labor modeling, payroll, and performance governance, to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Restaurant/Facility Management - strategic leadership responsible for the holistic oversight of restaurant operations, facility integrity, and long-term project success. Directs all aspects of the restaurant, ensuring rigorous food safety, storage standards, and cleanliness while maintaining peak functional performance for all kitchen equipment and reservation technologies. Spearheads the end-to-end project management of high-profile events and themed culinary programs, driving every phase from initial planning and departmental coordination to seamless execution. Acts as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external vendors, facilitate cross-functional collaboration to optimize guest experience and operational efficiency. Develops best-practice facility standards and provide the performance guidance necessary to consistently exceed DEH requirements and organizational benchmarks.
• Budget Revenue - Responsible for administering and managing assigned budgets including, but not limited to meeting objectives set for revenue, cost of goods, labor and operating supplies. Manages Restaurant's marketing and branding efforts.
• Inventory Management - directs all inventory management and financial control activities within assigned food service operations, ensuring the precise implementation of recipes and the maintenance of optimal stock levels for food, beverages, and dry goods. Responsible for the end-to-end integrity of the supply chain, from monitoring inventory fluctuations to auditing procurement needs. Furthermore, the position provides critical oversight of employee cash control and point-of-sale (POS) functions, upholding rigorous standards for financial accountability and transactional accuracy across all register operations.
• Safety – Adheres to compliance with health, safety, food safety, sanitation and alcohol awareness standards. Ensures the highest food safety standards including but not limited to correct food temperatures, conducting safety training, inspections and maintaining documentation to comply with federal, state and local food safety standards. Assists in managing food quality and safety. Establishes restaurant best practices
• Organizational Support of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Research options to keep the restaurant aligned with sustainability and conservation in support of the organization's mission.

What We Are Looking For

Job Experience

• Five years' experience in retail/food service/hospitality management required
• Five years' experience in leading large teams in high paced environments required
• Experience in multi-unit or large theme park gift, shared revenue, food service, and merchandising store operations required
• Experience working with represented labor union preferred

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, hospitality, or related field preferred
• ServeSafe Manager within 90 Days required
• RBS Certificate within 90 Days required
• CA Driver's License within 90 Days required

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a diverse environment
• Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Able to handle highly complex interactions with employees and guests with a high level of tact and diplomacy
• Able to operate Point of Sale (POS) systems
• Knowledge of inventory best practices
• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment while producing a high level of results
• Plan, implement and assist in major construction projects
• Ability to develop and manage assigned budgets
• Effectively work with individuals at various levels of the organization
• Understand union contracts regarding labor use restrictions
• Knowledge of health and safety regulation
• Knowledge of direct retail, shared revenue, full-service restaurant operations, catering, quick service, and merchandising operations
• Advanced knowledge of commercial merchandising/food operations/hospitality

Some of the Rewards You Will Enjoy as a Team Member

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

Important Details

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt Position
• Salary Range: $99,482 - $111,917

About The Salary Ranges

The posted salary range represents the full compensation potential for this role over time. Initial hiring offers are typically made within the lower to mid portion of the range and are based on a combination of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and organizational considerations. Placement near the top of the range is generally reserved for individuals who demonstrate sustained performance, growth, and expanded responsibilities in the role over time.

Fraudulent Recruiting

Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail View email address on click.appcast.io . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests' experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to View email address on click.appcast.io and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.