Assistant General Manager | WAKUDA

Job Description

Job Description

WAKUDA is a modern Japanese fine dining concept created by 50 Eggs Hospitality Group in partnership with two-Michelin-starred Chef Tetsuya Wakuda. Inspired by Tokyo's Golden Gai district, WAKUDA blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary luxury hospitality, innovative design, and exceptional cuisine.

With established locations in Las Vegas and Singapore, and upcoming openings in Dallas and Macao scheduled for Fall 2027, WAKUDA continues its international expansion, bringing its distinctive approach to modern Japanese fine dining to new markets.

WAKUDA is recognized for its refined culinary offerings, exclusive omakase experiences, premium wine and sake program, and highly personalized hospitality. Located at The Venetian Resort, WAKUDA Las Vegas delivers a sophisticated dining experience where precision, attention to detail, and exceptional service define every guest interaction.

Position Overview

The Assistant General Manager (AGM) is a senior hospitality leader who supports the restaurant's daily operations, financial performance, service excellence, and team development.

This position requires an accomplished professional with extensive luxury fine-dining experience, strong business acumen, exceptional leadership, and a sophisticated understanding of discerning guest expectations.

The AGM serves as the General Manager's primary operational partner, ensuring consistent execution of WAKUDA's hospitality standards while developing a high-performing team.

This highly visible, hands-on leadership position requires an active presence in the dining room. The successful candidate must confidently lead managers and service professionals, anticipate guest needs, make sound operational decisions, and maintain exceptional standards in a demanding, high-volume luxury dining environment.

Primary Job Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Luxury Hospitality & Guest Experience

• Lead exceptional hospitality experiences reflecting WAKUDA's luxury positioning and Japanese service philosophy.
• Maintain a visible, engaged presence throughout the dining room during service.
• Demonstrate expertise in personalized service, anticipating guest needs, and maintaining discretion.
• Build relationships with VIP guests, repeat clientele, hotel executives, concierge teams, and business partners.
• Personally engage with guests to ensure expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Resolve guest concerns professionally through effective service recovery.
• Oversee private dining experiences, VIP reservations, special occasions, and high-profile events.
• Champion omotenashi by creating thoughtful, memorable experiences through genuine hospitality.

Restaurant Operations & Service Excellence

• Support the General Manager in overseeing daily restaurant operations.
• Assume operational leadership responsibilities in the General Manager's absence.
• Direct front-of-house operations to ensure consistent service execution and efficiency.
• Oversee reservations, seating strategies, table management, service pacing, and dining room utilization.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and deployment based on business demands.
• Conduct pre-service inspections to maintain exceptional presentation and cleanliness standards.
• Partner with culinary and beverage leadership to ensure seamless service coordination.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements without compromising hospitality.
• Maintain proficiency with POS systems, reservation platforms, scheduling tools, and operational reporting.

Leadership, Talent Development & Accountability

• Lead, mentor, and develop restaurant managers, supervisors, and hourly service professionals.
• Establish clear performance expectations and maintain accountability.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of exceptional hospitality talent.
• Develop a high-performing leadership team committed to WAKUDA's service standards.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings focused on guest expectations, menu knowledge, and operational priorities.
• Implement training programs that strengthen technical service skills and hospitality excellence.
• Provide constructive feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and address performance concerns.
• Identify high-potential employees and support professional development and advancement.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain standards for appearance, grooming, punctuality, and workplace conduct.

Financial Performance & Business Management

• Support achievement of revenue, profitability, and financial performance objectives.
• Demonstrate knowledge of restaurant P&L statements, labor expenses, controllable costs, and operating margins.
• Monitor sales, guest counts, average checks, labor productivity, and operational KPIs.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, financial reviews, and operational planning.
• Manage labor scheduling to maintain productivity while protecting service standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through efficiency and revenue optimization.
• Monitor expenses, operating supplies, inventory, and purchasing.
• Ensure proper financial controls, cash handling, and reporting procedures.
• Partner with culinary and beverage leadership to improve menu profitability and beverage sales.

Culinary & Beverage Collaboration

• Demonstrate knowledge of fine dining cuisine, wine, sake, spirits, and luxury beverage service.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of WAKUDA's culinary philosophy, menu, and ingredients.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to ensure food quality and alignment with service standards.
• Support team education regarding Japanese cuisine, premium ingredients, and culinary traditions.
• Partner with beverage leadership to strengthen wine and sake knowledge and sales performance.
• Ensure service teams understand seasonal offerings, pairings, and special culinary experiences.
• Support omakase experiences, chef-driven events, and exclusive dining programs.

Brand Integrity & Operational Standards

• Represent WAKUDA with professionalism and integrity.
• Protect brand standards through consistent execution and attention to detail.
• Ensure adherence to service procedures, hospitality standards, and company policies.
• Support marketing activations, special events, and strategic partnerships.
• Maintain positive relationships with hotel leadership and operational partners.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen guest loyalty and restaurant reputation.
• Exercise discretion when interacting with high-profile guests and executive leadership.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable employment, food safety, sanitation, alcohol service, and workplace safety regulations.
• Maintain required certifications, permits, and operational documentation.
• Support incident reporting, workplace investigations, and corrective action procedures.
• Identify operational risks and implement preventive measures.
• Maintain a safe and professional environment for guests and employees.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines the sophistication of luxury fine dining with the operational discipline required to lead a high-volume, internationally recognized restaurant. This individual possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, financial intelligence, leadership presence, and a passion for delivering memorable hospitality experiences.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive restaurant management experience in luxury fine dining, upscale hospitality, or internationally recognized chef-driven restaurants.
• Previous experience as an Assistant General Manager, Restaurant Director, or senior Restaurant Manager in a comparable operation.
• Proven success leading large, high-performing front-of-house teams.
• Strong understanding of luxury dining standards, restaurant operations, and guest relationship management.
• Financial acumen, including P&L analysis, labor management, budgeting, forecasting, and expense control.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, coach, develop, and retain exceptional hospitality professionals.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Polished executive presence and confidence engaging discerning guests and high-profile clientele.
• Ability to remain composed and decisive during demanding service periods.
• Proficiency with POS systems, reservation management, and operational reporting.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Michelin-recognized restaurants, Forbes-rated hospitality environments, luxury hotels, or internationally recognized fine dining establishments.
• Management experience within the Las Vegas luxury hospitality market.
• Knowledge of Japanese cuisine, culinary traditions, and luxury Japanese dining.
• Advanced knowledge of wine, sake, spirits, and premium beverage service.
• Experience managing high-volume restaurants with significant financial responsibility.
• Background in chef-driven restaurant groups or multi-unit hospitality organizations.
• Experience supporting VIP clientele, private dining, and exclusive culinary experiences.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline; equivalent experience considered.

Leadership Competencies

• Luxury Hospitality: Expertise in personalized service and elevated guest experiences.
• Executive Presence: Confidence, professionalism, composure, and credibility.
• Operational Leadership: Ability to lead complex operations while maintaining accountability.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to translate financial results into operational decisions.
• Talent Development: Commitment to coaching and developing future leaders.
• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to build relationships and navigate challenging situations.
• Attention to Detail: Uncompromising commitment to quality and service standards.
• Accountability: Owns results and consistently meets performance expectations.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate challenges and contribute to long-term success.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Fast-paced, high-volume luxury fine dining environment.
• Extensive interaction with guests, employees, culinary leadership, and hotel partners.
• Extended periods of standing and walking throughout restaurant operations.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

Why Join WAKUDA?

WAKUDA offers an exceptional opportunity to advance your leadership career within a globally recognized Japanese fine dining brand created by 50 Eggs Hospitality Group in partnership with two-Michelin-starred Chef Tetsuya Wakuda.

As Assistant General Manager, you will help shape the restaurant's hospitality culture, develop exceptional talent, drive financial performance, and deliver extraordinary guest experiences within one of Las Vegas' premier luxury dining destinations.

We seek a leader who understands that exceptional hospitality is built on consistency, attention to detail, strong relationships, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.