Assistant General Manager

James Beard Semi-Finalist Alpino is seeking a hospitality-driven leader to help guide the next phase of growth for one of Detroit's most respected independent restaurants.

Located in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, Alpino has built a reputation for exceptional hospitality, thoughtful cuisine, and a commitment to creating memorable guest experiences. Led by Owner David Richter and Executive Chef Colin Campbell, the restaurant continues to evolve while maintaining a relentless focus on service, culture, and operational excellence.

We are seeking an experienced restaurant leader who thrives on the floor, develops strong teams, and wants to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of an independent restaurant.

This position is designed as a pathway toward General Manager-level leadership. Working directly with ownership, the Assistant General Manager will help drive guest experience, team development, operational systems, and overall business performance while taking on increasing responsibility and influence within the organization.

What You'll Do Lead Hospitality & Service Excellence

• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD), owning the flow of service, team performance, and overall guest experience.
• Lead from the floor with visibility, energy, and professionalism.
• Set and uphold hospitality standards through real-time coaching and team development.
• Resolve guest concerns confidently and independently, creating positive and memorable outcomes.
• Maintain a strong presence during service while supporting both guests and team members.

Develop & Lead the Team

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop front-of-house team members.
• Create a culture of accountability, professionalism, and hospitality.
• Provide consistent coaching, performance feedback, and ongoing development.
• Build strong relationships across all departments and support a collaborative team environment.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily operations, reservations, service execution, and shift management.
• Evaluate systems and workflows to identify opportunities for improvement and scalability.
• Ensure cleanliness, organization, and adherence to health and operational standards.
• Anticipate challenges before they arise and implement thoughtful solutions.

Manage Guest Relations & Reservations

• Oversee reservation strategy to maximize guest experience and operational flow.
• Coordinate VIP guests, special events, and large-party experiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, concierges, and community partners.
• Support guest communication and follow-up when necessary.

Support Financial Performance

• Execute labor management strategies and support cost-control initiatives.
• Monitor sales performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Partner with ownership to achieve operational and financial goals.
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term business growth.

Grow Into Greater Leadership

• Serve as a trusted partner to ownership in driving culture, standards, and performance.
• Participate in higher-level decision-making and operational planning.
• Take on increasing responsibility with the goal of progressing toward General Manager-level leadership.

Who You Are

• A strong floor leader who thrives in fast-paced service environments.
• Calm, decisive, and guest-focused under pressure.
• An exceptional communicator with both guests and team members.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Accountable, reliable, and committed to excellence.
• Comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback.
• Proactive in identifying problems and creating solutions.
• Passionate about hospitality, team development, and continuous improvement.
• Excited by the opportunity to help shape and grow an independent restaurant.

Preferred Experience

• 3+ years of restaurant management experience.
• Experience in chef-driven, hospitality-focused, or independent restaurants.
• Proven success leading front-of-house teams and managing service operations.
• Experience working in highly regarded restaurant markets outside Southeast Michigan is strongly valued.
• Knowledge of labor management, reservations systems, and restaurant financial performance.

Why Alpino

• Work directly with ownership and senior leadership.
• Join a respected, chef-driven independent restaurant with a strong reputation for hospitality.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business.
• Clear growth path toward General Manager-level leadership.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates.

If you are passionate about hospitality, leadership, and building exceptional guest experiences, we'd love to hear from you.