General Manager - Birdie Partee & The Pickle Pad Newport News

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an energetic, high-performing, and hospitality-driven General Manager (GM) to launch and lead our brand-new, high-end indoor entertainment facility. This unique venue brings together the community spirit of Pickleball, the playful competition of Premium Mini Golf, and a vibrant full-service Restaurant and Bar.

As the General Manager, you are the captain of the ship. You will oversee all daily operations, blend sports recreation with top-tier food and beverage (F&B), cultivate an unforgettable guest experience, and drive financial profitability. If you thrive in a fast-paced, multi-revenue-stream environment and love building enthusiastic teams, this is your court.

Key Responsibilities

1. Multi-Department Operational Leadership

• Recreation Management: Oversee court scheduling, pickleball tournaments, clinics, and leagues. Ensure the mini golf courses are perfectly maintained, visually pristine, and operating seamlessly.
• Hospitality & F&B: Partner with the Kitchen Manager/Head Chef and Bar Manager to deliver excellent food quality, creative cocktail programs, fast service, and strict inventory controls.
• Guest Experience & Reputation Management: Maintain a high-energy, welcoming atmosphere. Actively monitor, track, and implement strategies to continuously elevate guest satisfaction scores, online review ratings (Yelp, Google), and Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
• Facility & Safety: Guarantee the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and preventative maintenance across the courts, greens, kitchen, and guest areas.

2. Team Building & Culture

• Recruit, hire, train, and mentor a diverse team of front-of-house hospitality staff, kitchen crew, court coordinators, and event hosts.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture that keeps turnover low and morale high.
• Train staff on proactive service standards and advanced customer-recovery techniques to resolve guest issues before they escalate.

3. Financial Performance & Sales Growth

• Take full accountability for the venue's P&L (Profit & Loss), managing labor costs, food/beverage costs, and operational expenses to hit budget targets.
• Drive revenue growth across all streams: court rentals, mini golf rounds, corporate events, private parties, sponsorships, and F&B sales.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to execute local promotions, community outreach, and membership drives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive management experience in a high-volume hospitality, sports entertainment, or multi-attraction venue (e.g., boutique bowling concepts, golf simulators, high-end family entertainment centers, or sports bars with heavy programming).
• Dispute Resolution & De-escalation: Proven track record of handling high-stress situations, customer complaints, and internal staff conflicts with diplomacy, empathy, and professionalism. Ability to turn dissatisfied guests into loyal brand advocates.
• F&B Expertise: Solid background in full-service food and beverage operations, including inventory management, margin control, and liquor law compliance.
• Sports/Recreation Passion: Knowledge of pickleball mechanics or tournament structure is a massive plus, but a passion for competitive recreational entertainment is required.
• Leadership Style: A hands-on, visible leader who prefers being out on the floor supporting the team and greeting guests rather than sitting in the back office.
• Availability: Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as these are our peak operational times.
• Certifications: ServSafe Manager and local alcohol server certifications required (or obtained within 30 days of hire).

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive base salary
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Opportunities for career growth as our entertainment concept expands.

\nCompany Description

⭐ The Core Reasons People Love Working Here
1. A High‐Energy, Social‐Fitness Environment
Birdee Partee & The Pickle Pad isn’t a traditional gym or recreation center — it’s a social‐fitness venue where people come to play, laugh, compete, and connect.

Working here means:
You’re surrounded by positive energy all day
Guests are excited to be there (pickleball + golf = instant fun)
You get to be part of a movement that’s redefining community recreation

This is not a “clock‐in, clock‐out” job — it’s an experience.

2. A Unique Blend of Pickleball + Indoor Golf + Hospitality
Few workplaces combine:
18‐hole indoor golf
5 pickleball courts
Crave Social Eatery

Corporate events, leagues, and tournaments
This creates diverse roles and opportunities:

Court hosts
Golf experience guides
Event coordinators
Hospitality staff
Coaches and instructors
Operations and management

If you enjoy variety, this is the place.

3. A Culture Built Around Community
The Newport News location is designed to be a community anchor — a place where families, companies, and friends gather.

Employees get to:
Build relationships with regulars
Support youth programs
Host corporate wellness events
Create memorable experiences for guests

It’s deeply rewarding work because you see the impact every day.

4. Growth Opportunities in a Rapidly Expanding Concept
Pickleball is the fastest‐growing sport in America, and indoor golf is booming. Birdee Partee & The Pickle Pad sits at the intersection of both trends.

This means:
More locations are coming
Leadership roles will open
Skilled staff can advance quickly
You’re part of a brand with momentum

For ambitious people, it’s a launchpad.

5. A Modern, Supportive Leadership Approach
With Vikas Kapila as the active managing partner, the Newport News center benefits from:

Hands on / off leadership
Clear operational standards
A focus on employee development
A culture of respect and empowerment

Employees aren’t treated like “staff” — they’re treated like partners in building something special.

6. A Fun, Creative Workplace
This is a place where:
Music is playing
People are laughing
Games are happening
Food is being served
Events are running
Teams are competing

If you enjoy lively environments, this is a dream workplace.

7. Work That Feels Meaningful
You’re not just serving food or managing courts — you’re helping people:

Stay active
Build friendships
Reduce stress
Celebrate milestones
Strengthen company culture

It’s purpose‐driven work disguised as fun.

Company Description

⭐ The Core Reasons People Love Working Here\r\n1. A High‐Energy, Social‐Fitness Environment\r\nBirdee Partee & The Pickle Pad isn’t a traditional gym or recreation center — it’s a social‐fitness venue where people come to play, laugh, compete, and connect.\r\n\r\nWorking here means:\r\nYou’re surrounded by positive energy all day\r\nGuests are excited to be there (pickleball + golf = instant fun)\r\nYou get to be part of a movement that’s redefining community recreation\r\n\r\nThis is not a “clock‐in, clock‐out” job — it’s an experience.\r\n\r\n2. A Unique Blend of Pickleball + Indoor Golf + Hospitality\r\nFew workplaces combine:\r\n18‐hole indoor golf\r\n5 pickleball courts\r\nCrave Social Eatery\r\n\r\nCorporate events, leagues, and tournaments\r\nThis creates diverse roles and opportunities:\r\n\r\nCourt hosts\r\nGolf experience guides\r\nEvent coordinators\r\nHospitality staff\r\nCoaches and instructors\r\nOperations and management\r\n\r\nIf you enjoy variety, this is the place.\r\n\r\n3. A Culture Built Around Community\r\nThe Newport News location is designed to be a community anchor — a place where families, companies, and friends gather.\r\n\r\nEmployees get to:\r\nBuild relationships with regulars\r\nSupport youth programs\r\nHost corporate wellness events\r\nCreate memorable experiences for guests\r\n\r\nIt’s deeply rewarding work because you see the impact every day.\r\n\r\n4. Growth Opportunities in a Rapidly Expanding Concept\r\nPickleball is the fastest‐growing sport in America, and indoor golf is booming. Birdee Partee & The Pickle Pad sits at the intersection of both trends.\r\n\r\nThis means:\r\nMore locations are coming\r\nLeadership roles will open\r\nSkilled staff can advance quickly\r\nYou’re part of a brand with momentum\r\n\r\nFor ambitious people, it’s a launchpad.\r\n\r\n5. A Modern, Supportive Leadership Approach\r\nWith Vikas Kapila as the active managing partner, the Newport News center benefits from:\r\n\r\nHands on / off leadership\r\nClear operational standards\r\nA focus on employee development\r\nA culture of respect and empowerment\r\n\r\nEmployees aren’t treated like “staff” — they’re treated like partners in building something special.\r\n\r\n6. A Fun, Creative Workplace\r\nThis is a place where:\r\nMusic is playing\r\nPeople are laughing\r\nGames are happening\r\nFood is being served\r\nEvents are running\r\nTeams are competing\r\n\r\nIf you enjoy lively environments, this is a dream workplace.\r\n\r\n7. Work That Feels Meaningful\r\nYou’re not just serving food or managing courts — you’re helping people:\r\n\r\nStay active\r\nBuild friendships\r\nReduce stress\r\nCelebrate milestones\r\nStrengthen company culture\r\n\r\nIt’s purpose‐driven work disguised as fun.