NY, Long Island | Opening GM | Chef Driven, Kosher

Job Description

Job Description

DESCRIPTION:

If you’ve been looking for a restaurant GM role that guarantees Fridays and Saturdays off, this one is for you! A multi-unit restaurant group is seeking an exceptional, accomplished Opening General Manager to lead the pre-opening, launch, and ongoing operations of a groundbreaking new culinary concept in Long Island. Our organization focuses on creating world-class restaurant concepts that happen to be kosher; environments recognized nationally for their food, hospitality, design, and overall guest experience. This flagship role will launch our newest concept, an upscale, live-fire Israeli and Middle Eastern restaurant spearheaded by a celebrated Executive Chef. As a key member of the leadership team, the Opening General Manager will be responsible for guiding the venue through every stage of the pre-opening process, setting impeccable service standards, and laying the foundation for long-term operational and commercial success.

Core Responsibilities

• Leads the restaurant through every distinct stage of the pre-opening process, ensuring a flawless and organized public launch.
• Oversees the comprehensive recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of the entire opening front-of-house team.
• Implements robust, scalable operational procedures and establishes premier service standards that blend warmth with refined sophistication.
• Directs and mentors a high-performing team of managers and staff, fostering a culture of continuous development and accountability.
• Holds full responsibility for the venue's operational and financial performance, managing labor, expenses, and driving profitability.
• Upholds exceptional service standards on the floor, maintaining a strong, visible, and hands-on presence during high-volume services.
• Drives the strategic development and execution of the venue’s wine and premium beverage programs.

Operational Involvement

The Opening General Manager anchors the property's daily execution and brand integrity by:

• Collaborating closely with Executive Chef to align front-of-house service with live-fire culinary operations.
• Designing and monitoring daily operational workflows, reservation tracking, and guest flow protocols.
• Creating an integrated guest experience that prioritizes personalization, community connection, and seamless hospitality.
• Managing day-to-day administrative duties including financial tracking, local compliance, and P&L monitoring.
• Addressing guest feedback and operational challenges with diplomacy, speed, and mature judgment.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven track record of opening and leading upscale, high-volume, or chef-driven restaurant concepts as a General Manager.
• Strong, demonstrable financial and operational acumen with extensive experience managing restaurant costs and P&Ls.
• Hands-on leadership style with a verified ability to build, train, mentor, and retain high-performing hospitality teams.
• Deep knowledge of premium wine and beverage program oversight within an upscale dining environment is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills paired with a professional, polished demeanor.
• A genuine passion for hospitality, storytelling, and creating memorable guest connections.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities with the stamina to handle the demands of a high-profile restaurant opening.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive annual salary range of $120-130K+ (negotiable based on experience)
• Bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Fridays and Saturdays off.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Room for professional growth within a rapidly expanding multi-unit hospitality group.
• EOE