General Manager - Neighborhood Restaurant & Venue

About Pirate Ventures

At Pirate Ventures, we live boldly and act differently. We're a crew built of dreamers that collaborate to Deliver the Unexpected, every day. We understand it is our call and responsibility to curate environments and experiences where people feel genuinely welcomed, safe, and acknowledged as part of our community. As Moment Makers, we produce immersive experiences where people feel recognized as human-first, allowing us to positively impact, empower, and collectively celebrate others. Along the way, we foster community by ensuring that we are fulfilling our core mission in all our interactions, be they with guests, our partners, and each other.

About the Role

Pirate Ventures is seeking an experienced, hospitality-driven General Manager to lead operations for a high-volume private event venue with an elevated daily service component. This role requires a seasoned leader with a proven track record of building exceptional teams, driving operational excellence, and creating unforgettable guest experiences across both private events and day-to-day hospitality service.

The General Manager will oversee all aspects of venue operations, including private events, daily food & beverage service, team leadership, financial performance, guest experience, and facility management. You will work closely with company leadership to build and maintain a culture rooted in hospitality, accountability, operational consistency, and community.

We are looking for a strategic operator and hands-on leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, understands the nuances of both event execution and daily restaurant/bar service, and has the ability to inspire teams while maintaining high standards across every touchpoint.

What you'll do:

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing hospitality team across private events and daily service operations
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and hospitality excellence
• Create and maintain comprehensive training programs that ensure consistency in service standards, operational execution, and guest experience
• Lead by example as a visible and engaged floor presence during service and events
• Manage staffing levels, scheduling, labor controls, and performance management initiatives
• Foster a positive and solutions-oriented environment that encourages continuous improvement and team development

Operations & Guest Experience

• Oversee all venue operations, including daily food & beverage service, private events, corporate functions, and entertainment-driven experiences
• Ensure seamless execution of private events from planning through post-event breakdown
• Deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across all guest touchpoints including in-person, phone, and email communication
• Maintain best-in-class standards for cleanliness, organization, ambiance, safety, and facility presentation
• Partner closely with the sales and events teams to execute memorable and operationally sound experiences
• Utilize hospitality technology platforms including Toast, TripleSeat, OpenTable, and related operational systems
• Manage reservations, guest flow, seating strategy, and service execution for daily operations

Financial & Business Management

• Maintain full P&L responsibility for the business unit, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, cost controls, and financial reporting
• Analyze operational and financial performance metrics to drive profitability and efficiency
• Oversee inventory management, purchasing, vendor relationships, and expense management
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, increase operational efficiency, and maximize revenue generation

Compliance & Facility Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all local health, food safety, labor, and alcohol/beverage regulations
• Maintain all required licensing and operational certifications
• Oversee facility maintenance and ensure the venue operates safely and efficiently at all times
• Manage vendor relationships and coordinate external services as needed

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive hospitality management experience, with significant leadership experience in restaurants, bars, hospitality venues, or private event operations
• Proven experience managing both private events and high-volume daily service environments
• Demonstrated success building, developing, and leading large hospitality teams
• Strong financial acumen with direct P&L management experience
• Experience opening new venues or scaling hospitality operations is strongly preferred
• Proficiency with hospitality systems including Toast, TripleSeat, and OpenTable required
• Strong operational knowledge of reservations management, service flow, staffing, and event logistics
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to remain calm, adaptable, and highly organized in fast-paced environments
• Commitment to high standards, attention to detail, and exceptional guest experiences
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and hospitality reporting systems
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require
• Proof of DC ABRA Manager-on-Duty certification required prior to employment
• Proof of ServSafe (or equivalent) certification required prior to employment
• Alignment with Pirate Ventures' mission, values, and hospitality philosophy