FOH Lead

FOH Lead

The Spoke & Bird — South Loop (and Pilsen), Chicago, IL

Full-Time • Hourly / Salary (based on experience)

Experience: Prior FOH leadership required

If your plan is to hit "Quick Apply" with zero context, no note, and no sense of why you're actually applying... this probably isn't the role for you. Hospitality starts with communication, and—shocker—we take that pretty seriously around here.

If, however, you enjoy leading people, setting standards, and creating an environment where guests want to hang out (and staff actually want to stay), keep scrolling.

Spoke & Bird is a WBE-owned, farm-to-table hospitality group built around scratch cooking, locally sourced ingredients, and total operational transparency. We're intentional about how we run our kitchens and our dining rooms, and we believe strong, joyful leadership up front makes everything work better behind the scenes.

We're a small, growing team running a vibrant South Loop location (plus our Pilsen spot).

We started Spoke & Bird with three guiding principles:

• Source responsibly: Local, sustainable, and supportive of urban farmers.
• Operate transparently: Open kitchens, open books, open conversations.
• Value our staff: Fair pay, real expectations, flexibility, and long-term opportunity.

This is a hands-on, high-energy leadership position for someone who balances warmth with structure and hospitality with accountability.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading the vibe: Training, developing, and mentoring the FOH team.
• Setting the standard: Creating a guest experience that feels personal, upbeat, and intentional.
• Keeping it tight: Overseeing daily cleanliness, organization, equipment maintenance, and food safety standards.
• Holding the line: Coaching staff, enforcing proper hospitality, and keeping shift operations running like a well-oiled machine.

Why this role is actually different (the perks & the punch):

• The best "office" in Chicago: We boast a massive, lush outdoor courtyard. Thanks to Chicago's stubborn resilience (and our outdoor setup), you get to work outside about 3/4 of the year. Bye-bye, soul-sucking fluorescent lighting.
• No red tape, zero micromanagement: We have very few levels of management. You won't have to wait for three corporate sign-offs just to implement a good idea. We trust adults to act like adults—and we back them up.
• Massive upside for the curious: If you're the type of person who takes initiative, asks smart questions, and actively tries to make things better, there is room to grow here. We love ambitious people and reward curiosity.

What we're looking for:

• Proven FOH leadership experience in hospitality.
• Strong communication skills, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of humor.
• A calm, confident presence during the 11:00 AM weekend brunch rush.
• Someone who leads by example, earns respect through consistency, and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves.
• An appreciation for systems, details, and well-run spaces.
• A genuine interest in good food, great drinks, and cool people.

Benefits & perks:

• Competitive Pay (Hourly or Salary based on experience)
• Health Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Bonus Potential
• Dining Discounts (eat good food)
• Wellness Program
• Massive Courtyard Sunshine (Seasonal, but glorious)

Compensation: Hourly ($18.00 - $20.00) plus tips

Required skills:

• Training and Onboarding
• Communication
• Team Development
• Delegation
• Problem Solving
• Preventative Maintenance
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Food Safety Certifications