Restaurant General Manager

Restaurant General Manager – New Culture-Forward Hospitality Concept

Location: Long Island City, Queens, NY
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Compensation: $110,000–$130,000 base + bonus (target total $120,000–$150,000)

About the Concept

Something new is opening in Long Island City, and we're building it for people who believe hospitality is a craft.

This is a design-forward, culture-forward destination where food, cocktails, music, and community come together under one roof. It's elevated but unpretentious, energetic but intentional — a place where a beautifully plated dish, a well-made drink, and the right song at the right moment all matter equally.

The venue brings together several distinct experiences:

• A full-service dining room built around exceptional food and genuine hospitality
• A hidden speakeasy with its own rhythm, personality, and cocktail program
• A private space designed for VIP guests, chef tastings, and intimate gatherings

We're creating a space that reflects the creativity and diversity of the neighborhood around it — and we're looking for a leader who wants to help shape it from day one.

Position Overview

We're seeking an experienced, hands-on General Manager to oversee all daily operations and serve as a central leader in opening, running, and growing this concept.

This is not a behind-the-desk role. Our GM will be equally comfortable running the floor during a packed Saturday service, coaching a new server, reviewing a weekly P&L, resolving a guest concern with grace, and overseeing a discreet VIP experience — often all in the same evening. You'll build the operational systems that let this venue run consistently, and you'll be a visible, steady presence when it matters most.

If you lead from the floor, think like an owner, and want a stake in building something from the ground up, this is your opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all front-of-house operations and daily service across the venue
• Oversee the dining room, speakeasy, private events, and VIP space as distinct but connected experiences
• Support the successful launch and opening of the venue, from hiring to systems build-out
• Recruit, train, schedule, coach, and retain a high-performing team
• Establish and enforce service standards and standard operating procedures
• Manage labor costs, payroll, inventory, purchasing, and operating expenses
• Review weekly sales, labor, cost-of-goods, and financial performance reports
• Manage budgets and drive overall profitability
• Partner closely with the executive chef and ownership team
• Maintain elevated, consistent guest-service standards across every service style
• Manage reservations, nightlife programming, private events, and high-volume periods
• Create polished, discreet, and memorable experiences for VIP guests
• Handle guest concerns professionally and efficiently
• Ensure compliance with New York City health, safety, labor, and liquor regulations
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships
• Develop systems that allow the venue to operate efficiently and consistently
• Foster a positive, accountable, and professional workplace culture
• Support community partnerships, marketing initiatives, and special events
• Be present during evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak service periods

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of restaurant or hospitality management experience
• At least 2 years in a General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Director of Operations, or comparable senior leadership role
• Experience in a high-volume restaurant, upscale hospitality, nightlife, lounge, hotel, or fine-dining environment
• Experience managing multiple hospitality environments within a single venue
• Strong command of restaurant financials — labor, cost of goods, budgeting, forecasting, and P&L statements
• Proven ability to recruit, train, motivate, and retain a high-performing team
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with point-of-sale systems, scheduling platforms, reservation systems, and inventory-management tools
• Working knowledge of New York City hospitality and liquor regulations
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
• New restaurant opening experience strongly preferred
• Experience with VIP service, nightlife operations, and private events preferred

The Ideal Candidate

You're a hospitality-driven, entrepreneurial leader who takes real ownership and leads from the floor. You know how to balance creativity and culture with financial discipline, operational consistency, and accountability — you understand that a great guest experience and a healthy bottom line are built by the same habits.

You have a genuine appreciation for food, cocktails, music, design, nightlife, and the art of a memorable night out. And you thrive in a venue with multiple personalities and service styles — moving fluidly from an elevated dining room to a discreet speakeasy to a private VIP environment without missing a beat.

You're organized, calm under pressure, and energized by the challenge of building something new.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $110,000–$130,000 annually
• Performance-based bonus of up to 10%–15%
• Target total annual compensation: approximately $120,000–$150,000
• Paid time off
• Health benefits
• Dining and hospitality benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth as the business expands

Final compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated operational leadership.

How to Apply

Submit your résumé along with a brief note on why this opportunity speaks to you. We'd love to hear specific examples of:

• Restaurants or hospitality venues you've managed
• New openings you've led
• Teams you've recruited and developed
• Financial or operational improvements you've implemented
• Private events or VIP programs you've overseen

Tell us your story — we read every application.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and we welcome applicants of every background, identity, and experience. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.