General Manager

General Manager — Piccolina da Centrolina

Required Experience: 3+ years
Location: Washington, D.C.
Employment Type: Full-time, salaried
Salary: annually, based on experience
Bonus: Eligible for annual performance-based bonus

Job Details

Chef-Owner Amy Brandwein is seeking a dynamic, experienced and hands-on General Manager to lead Piccolina da Centrolina, our lively Italian restaurant and café located in CityCenterDC.

The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality, service, Italian food and wine, and committed to raising the bar every day. This individual must be equally comfortable leading a busy service, developing employees, connecting with guests, reviewing financial reports and managing the administrative details required to operate a successful restaurant.

Piccolina’s General Manager serves as the central leader of the restaurant. This person is responsible for the guest experience, team culture, daily operations, revenue, profitability and overall quality of the business.

Strong leadership, sound judgment and clear communication are essential. We are looking for someone who knows how to build relationships, encourage growth, embrace change and independently solve problems while delegating effectively.

The General Manager is expected to lead by example, remain composed during busy services and create an environment in which employees feel respected, supported and motivated to deliver exceptional hospitality.

Responsibilities, Leadership and Restaurant Operations

• Lead all daily front-of-house operations and maintain an active presence on the restaurant floor.
• Uphold the company’s mission, culinary philosophy and standards of hospitality.
• Manage daily shifts, including staffing decisions, scheduling, service execution, product quality, cleanliness and closing procedures.
• Communicate restaurant priorities, operational updates and service standards clearly and consistently.
• Keep company leadership promptly informed of significant operational, financial, personnel or guest-related matters.
• Identify challenges, recommend solutions and take timely corrective action when necessary.
• Coordinate private events and restaurant buyouts with the events and culinary teams.
• Oversee the restaurant’s general upkeep and coordinate repairs and maintenance.

Team Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train and directly supervise the front-of-house team.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date staffing plan.
• Prepare schedules and ensure the restaurant is appropriately staffed for each shift.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide employees with regular coaching and feedback.
• Conduct performance reviews and address performance or disciplinary concerns professionally and consistently.
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and ongoing food, beverage and service education.
• Foster a cooperative, respectful and inclusive working environment that supports employee morale, productivity and professional growth.

Guest Experience

• Welcome and connect with guests in a warm, gracious and professional manner.
• Build meaningful relationships with regular guests and maintain systems for recognizing their preferences.
• Monitor all areas of the guest experience, including ambience, cleanliness, service and hospitality.
• Respond promptly and thoughtfully to guest requests, concerns and feedback.
• Handle guest recovery with sound judgment and take appropriate action to ensure satisfaction.
• Assist with last-minute reservations, special requests and VIP arrangements.

Financial Performance and Administration

• Understand and regularly review profit-and-loss statements, budgets and operating reports.
• Drive revenue, profitability and quality goals while maintaining the integrity of the guest experience.
• Manage labor and operating costs in accordance with company standards.
• Ensure invoices, payroll information, financial reports and other administrative documents are completed accurately and on time.
• Work with the beverage and culinary teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels and meet established cost goals.
• Supervise monthly inventory reporting for food, beverage, china, glassware, silverware and operating supplies.
• Provide the accounting team with accurate information needed for weekly, monthly and annual financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales, control expenses and improve operational efficiency.

Compliance and Safety

• Maintain the restaurant in accordance with company policies and all applicable federal, District and local requirements.
• Enforce sanitation, food-handling and workplace-safety standards.
• Maintain a safe environment for employees and guests and complete incident reports promptly when necessary.
• Oversee alcohol-related compliance and applicable reporting deadlines.
• Maintain the restaurant’s professional appearance, including cleanliness, uniforms and presentation standards.
• Maintain current ServSafe certification and ensure applicable employees meet certification requirements.
• Maintain or obtain a D.C. ABC Manager’s License.

Community and Brand Representation

• Represent Piccolina and the company professionally within CityCenterDC and the broader Washington hospitality community.
• Coordinate with the company’s public-relations and marketing partners on restaurant priorities and initiatives.
• Maintain positive relationships with neighbors, vendors, guests and community partners.
• Support special events, promotions and other company initiatives.

Qualifications

• At least three years of restaurant management or supervisory experience, preferably in an upscale-casual restaurant, café or similarly high-volume hospitality environment.
• Genuine passion for hospitality, Italian cuisine and wine.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a restaurant team.
• Positive, composed and solutions-oriented leadership style.
• Strong communication, organization, delegation and multitasking skills.
• Working knowledge of restaurant financial statements, budgets, labor management, inventory and cost controls.
• Proficiency with restaurant POS, scheduling, reservations, payroll, invoicing and inventory systems.
• Strong general computer skills, including Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
• Experience maintaining online menus and restaurant information is preferred.
• Thorough understanding of restaurant sanitation, safety, purchasing, security, recordkeeping and personnel practices.
• Current ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain it promptly.
• Current D.C. ABC Manager’s License or the ability to obtain it promptly.
• Full availability, including evenings, weekends and holidays as required.
• Ability to stand and move throughout extended restaurant shifts.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform the physical responsibilities of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

About Centrolina and Piccolina

Centrolina and Piccolina are owned by Chef Amy Brandwein, a Washington, D.C. native, entrepreneur and eight-time James Beard Award nominee. The company is committed to exceptional hospitality, responsible sourcing, diversity and an engaged team culture built around mutual respect and shared success.

Our restaurants support a sustainable regional food system by purchasing ingredients from small farmers and producers throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Company accolades include:

• Eight James Beard Award recognitions, including 2025 Outstanding Chef and 2026 Outstanding Restaurant semifinalist honors
• Esquire Best New Restaurants
• Three stars from   The Washington Post
• Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Chef of the Year
• Recognition for leadership in sustainable seafood sourcing

Piccolina is conveniently located in CityCenterDC, near the Metro Center and Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro stations.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance-based bonus opportunity
• Employer-covered health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and sick/personal leave
• 401(k)
• Employee discounts on dining and market goods
• Additional earning opportunities for special events and holiday promotions
• Closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.

Centrolina and Piccolina are equal-opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful workplace for all employees.