General Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The General Manager serves as the senior on-site leader responsible for the overall success of the venue. This role oversees all aspects of daily operations, including guest experience, financial performance, team leadership, and compliance. The General Manager sets the tone for hospitality, culture, professionalism, and accountability across all departments.

As the leader of a new Dacha Beer Garden location, the General Manager plays a critical role not only in day-to-day operations, but also in establishing the operational foundation, service culture, and market presence of the business. This position works closely with ownership, the corporate Marketing & Events team, and the Corporate Executive Chef to ensure alignment between service, culinary execution, brand standards, and business goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and inspire a large and diverse front-of-house team to deliver consistent, elevated guest experiences in alignment with company standards.
• Establish and maintain a culture of hospitality, professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect.
• Lead by example and model company values in all interactions with guests, employees, ownership, and business partners.
• Build a strong leadership bench by developing managers and key hourly team members for growth and advancement.

Financial & Business Management

• Maintain full responsibility for venue-level financial performance, including sales, profitability, labor cost, and controllable expenses.
• Analyze financial reports, key performance indicators, and operating metrics to identify opportunities and improve business performance.
• Work with ownership to develop and execute annual budgets, sales goals, and strategic priorities.
• Maximize profitability by controlling labor, managing operating expenses, minimizing waste, and identifying revenue opportunities.
• Monitor and manage cash handling, deposits, payroll oversight, and adherence to internal financial controls.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Maintain an active and visible presence in the operation, especially during peak service periods, to ensure exceptional execution and guest satisfaction.
• Continuously refine and uphold service standards, flow of service, and hospitality expectations.
• Address guest concerns promptly, professionally, and with sound judgment in order to preserve guest loyalty and brand reputation.
• Ensure that the venue consistently delivers a welcoming, energetic, and polished guest experience that reflects the Dacha Beer Garden brand.

Team Development & Training

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain high-performing team members across all front-of-house departments.
• Oversee training programs to ensure that staff are well prepared in service standards, product knowledge, company policies, safety practices, and brand culture.
• Conduct regular coaching, performance feedback, and evaluations to support accountability and professional development.
• Identify performance concerns early, document issues appropriately, and administer corrective action when necessary.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee all day-to-day operations of the venue, ensuring that systems, staffing, and service execution are aligned with business needs.
• Manage schedules and staffing levels to ensure coverage, efficiency, and labor productivity.
• Ensure that all service areas, storage areas, and guest-facing spaces are maintained to company standards of cleanliness, organization, and readiness.
• Oversee reservations, waitlist flow, POS systems, scheduling software, and other operational technology platforms to ensure smooth and efficient operation.
• Coordinate with culinary leadership to ensure strong communication and alignment between front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory practices, and vendor relationships as applicable to front-of-house operations and general business needs.
• Monitor the condition of the facility, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and coordinate maintenance and repair needs promptly.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, labor, alcohol, and licensing regulations, including Montgomery County and State of Maryland requirements.
• Maintain all necessary operational licenses, certifications, and records required for lawful and safe operation.
• Promote and enforce responsible alcohol service practices and a safe working environment for employees and guests.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, standard operating procedures, and security protocols.

Pre-Opening & Opening Leadership

• Lead pre-opening operational preparation for the new location, including staffing, training, systems setup, vendor coordination, and readiness planning.
• Help establish strong operating routines, service standards, and team culture from the outset.
• Partner with ownership and corporate leadership on launch planning, opening-week execution, and early-stage performance stabilization.
• Identify operational issues quickly during opening and post-opening phases and implement solutions proactively.

Events, Marketing & Community Engagement

• Partner with the Marketing & Events team to support private events, brand activations, seasonal programming, and community engagement efforts.
• Ensure flawless on-site execution of private events and special programs.
• Serve as a strong local ambassador for the brand in Silver Spring, helping build relationships within the neighborhood and community.
• Support promotional initiatives, partnerships, and public-facing efforts that increase visibility, traffic, and guest loyalty.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed about industry trends, local market conditions, guest expectations, and hospitality best practices.
• Identify and implement improvements to systems, service standards, staffing models, and operating procedures.
• Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement across the team and operation.

Schedule Requirements

• This position requires flexibility and a hands-on presence, including availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as business needs dictate.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive hospitality management experience , including at least 3-5 years in a senior management or General Manager role .
• Proven success managing high-volume restaurants, beer gardens, or upscale casual hospitality operations.
• Strong financial acumen, with demonstrated ability to manage budgets, labor cost, and profitability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience opening a new venue or leading a team through a major launch is strongly preferred.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and restaurant management systems, including POS, scheduling, reservations, and inventory platforms.
• Strong business writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and responsible alcohol service.
• Alcohol Manager and Food Manager certifications required, or ability to obtain promptly.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including shifts of up to 10-12 hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to navigate all areas of the venue, including indoor and outdoor spaces, during all weather conditions and service periods.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate restaurant equipment, POS systems, and office tools safely and effectively.

DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign additional responsibilities as business needs evolve. Failure to comply with company standards, expectations, and policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.