FOH Manager

QED Hospitality is a restaurant operations management group, focused on running Food & Beverage operations in boutique hotels and exclusive sites nationally. We bring our operational acumen to the table, developing and managing restaurants tailored to the hotel, the region and the demands of the market. These are not cookie cutter concepts, but true restaurants born of the region and based on our history. As the PM FOH Manager is responsible for ensuring the restaurant is fully prepared for the evening, maintaining strong communication between FOH, BOH, bar, hotel, and leadership teams, and taking ownership of the operation through close and end-of-night procedures. This position requires a hands-on leader who is confident managing high-volume evenings, special events, changing guest volumes, and late-night operations. This role requires availability for late evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, particularly during peak rooftop and nightlife periods. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: PM Operational Leadership Lead all FOH operations during evening, late-night, and closing shifts in a busy, high-volume rooftop bar environment. Ensure the restaurant is fully prepared for PM service, including staffing, floor readiness, reservations, events, and guest flow. Maintain consistent standards for service, sanitation, safety, cleanliness, and guest engagement throughout the evening. Monitor guest volume, reservations, wait times, and overall floor activity, adjusting staffing and support as business levels change. Partner closely with bar leadership to maintain efficient bar operations, menu execution, guest flow, and service standards. Lead the transition from dinner service into late-night and nightlife operations. Maintain a visible management presence throughout the shift and actively support the team during peak service periods. Make real-time operational decisions to ensure service remains smooth, efficient, and hospitable. Serve as the Manager on Duty during assigned PM shifts and act as the primary point of contact for operational issues during evening and late-night hours. Closing & End-of-Night Operations Take ownership of the restaurant's PM closing procedures and ensure all closing responsibilities are completed accurately and consistently. Conduct end-of-night walkthroughs of all FOH areas, including dining areas, bars, rooftop spaces, restrooms, host areas, and other guest-facing spaces. Ensure the restaurant is properly cleaned, organized, secured, and prepared for the following day's operations. Verify that closing side work, sanitation, stocking, and equipment procedures are completed to standard. Ensure proper handling and security of cash, tips, POS closeouts, and other end-of-night financial procedures. Review POS activity and address discrepancies or operational issues before completing the shift. Ensure all guests have safely exited the property before completing closing procedures. Communicate any guest incidents, employee concerns, maintenance issues, inventory needs, or operational challenges to leadership before leaving the property. Complete required nightly reports, logs, and manager communication. Ensure all doors, service areas, and other applicable areas are properly secured at the conclusion of the shift. Leave clear and thorough notes for the opening team and incoming leadership to ensure continuity between shifts. Team Development & Culture Lead, coach, and mentor FOH team members in a fast-paced, high-energy nightlife environment. Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-morale culture that encourages teamwork, accountability, and empowerment. Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of team members. Conduct regular feedback sessions and quarterly performance evaluations for direct reports. Recognize great performance and use motivational tools to keep the team engaged and inspired. Ensure team members understand and consistently follow service standards, policies, and closing procedures. Address performance concerns and employee issues promptly and professionally. Serve as a role model for hospitality, professionalism, composure, and guest-first behavior. Event & Function Support Work closely with events teams to execute private parties, buyouts, rooftop activations, and special programming. Coordinate staffing, timing, guest flow, and hospitality standards for special functions. Ensure seamless transitions between regular dinner service, events, and late-night operations. Support communication between FOH, BOH, events, bar, hotel, and leadership teams. Remain flexible and responsive as event needs and guest volumes change throughout the evening. Financial Management Analyze P&L statements and sales data to inform operational decision-making. Implement cost-control measures, including labor, inventory, and waste management. Monitor labor throughout the PM shift and make appropriate staffing adjustments based on business volume. Ensure all menus, pricing, promotions, and POS functions are executed correctly. Review nightly sales and operational performance and communicate opportunities or concerns to leadership. Support proper tip organization, cash handling, POS closeouts, and other end-of-night financial procedures. Guest Experience Respond promptly and professionally to guest comments, concerns, and opportunities for improvement. Maintain a welcoming, energetic, and elevated rooftop bar atmosphere throughout the evening. Support team members in resolving guest issues with professionalism, empathy, and confidence. Proactively identify potential guest concerns and address them before they escalate. Build relationships with regular guests and help cultivate a loyal guest base. Maintain composure and sound judgment when managing difficult or high-pressure guest situations, particularly during late-night service. Communication & Reporting Maintain strong communication with senior leadership through consistent updates and detailed shift notes. Communicate effectively with opening managers to ensure a seamless transition between shifts. Partner cross-departmentally to ensure alignment, especially during high-volume weekends and special events. Document and communicate guest incidents, employee issues, accidents, maintenance concerns, and other significant events. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication with guests, staff, hotel partners, and leadership. Ensure important information is communicated in real time rather than left for the following shift to discover. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: College degree or equivalent professional experience. 3+ years of food & beverage experience, including supervisory or management roles. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Proven ability to lead high-volume evening and late-night restaurant or bar operations. Ability to remain calm, confident, and professional in stressful or rapidly changing situations. Computer literacy and familiarity with restaurant and event management systems. Ability to manage closing procedures, financial accountability, and end-of-night reporting. Ability to work late evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business demands. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure, high-volume environment. PREFERRED : Experience in an upscale cocktail bar, rooftop bar, nightlife, or high-volume restaurant environment. Prior experience managing special events, large functions, or buyouts. Previous experience as a PM or Closing Manager. Experience managing operations in a hotel, rooftop, entertainment, or destination bar environment. Strong knowledge of Nashville's hospitality and nightlife market. PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS: Must be able to maneuver to all areas of the restaurant. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Must have a manual dexterity and coordination to operate restaurant and office equipment and machines. Must be able to work at a fast pace and in stressful situations. Must be able to respond to visual and aural cues.