Director of Hospitality

Description:
Antithesis Director of Hospitality

Reports To: Food & Beverage Director
FLSA Status: Full-Time | Salaried | Exempt
Compensation: $85,000-$95,000 annually , based on experience

Benefits

• Competitive salary of $85,000-$95,000 , based on experience
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 8% company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee housing options available
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Opportunity to help build one of Colorado's premier dining destinations from the ground up

Be Part of Hospitality History

This isn't just another restaurant management position.

This is your opportunity to become a founding member of one of Colorado's most anticipated fine dining restaurants and help create a hospitality experience guests will remember long after the last course is served.

Opening in August 2026 , Antithesis will redefine destination dining in Southern Colorado. Located inside the beautifully restored historic Royal Gorge Mansion , this ambitious restaurant combines exceptional cuisine, refined service, and unforgettable surroundings.

As Director of Hospitality, you'll have the unique opportunity to establish the service culture from day one-building and leading a team that delivers genuine, gracious, and polished hospitality worthy of one of Colorado's most distinctive dining experiences.

You'll work alongside the award-winning Founding Executive Chef Johnny Church , helping create a seamless partnership between the front and back of house to deliver an extraordinary guest experience. Together, you'll build not just a successful restaurant, but a hospitality destination.

If you've dreamed of creating a service culture from the ground up instead of inheriting one, this is your opportunity.

About Antithesis

Welcome to old-world grandeur with modern sophistication.

Antithesis occupies the historic Royal Gorge Mansion (originally built in the 1880s), situated on four beautifully landscaped acres at the entrance to the breathtaking Royal Gorge.

The estate features towering trees, historic architecture, expansive gardens, firepits, fountains, and unmatched views, creating one of Colorado's most memorable dining destinations.

As part of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad family, Antithesis is positioned to welcome guests from around the world who travel specifically to experience the region's iconic scenery, luxury train excursions, and exceptional hospitality.

Our vision is simple:

Create one of Colorado's premier fine dining experiences where remarkable food, impeccable service, and unforgettable surroundings come together.

Position Summary

The Restaurant General Manager is the leader and champion of the guest experience.

This role oversees every aspect of front-of-house operations, ensuring that every guest interaction reflects the warmth, professionalism, and excellence that define Antithesis. From the first greeting to the final farewell, this leader creates an environment where guests feel genuinely cared for and team members are inspired to perform at their highest level.

The ideal candidate is both an exceptional hospitality professional and a disciplined business operator-someone who can inspire a high-performing service team while skillfully managing labor costs, driving operational efficiency, and maintaining impeccable service standards.

This position is equally focused on people, performance, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Hospitality Leadership

• Lead and inspire all front-of-house operations to deliver exceptional, memorable guest experiences
• Manage and lead dining room activity to drive and maintain the highest service standards
• Greet guests warmly and create an outstanding first impression
• Handle guest inquiries, special requests, service recovery, and complaints with professionalism and urgency
• Build lasting relationships with guests and cultivate repeat business
• Uphold Antithesis' service philosophy and hospitality standards

Front-of-House Operations

• Oversee daily operations of the dining room, bar, host stand, and guest arrival experience
• Manage reservations and seating arrangements to optimize dining flow and maximize guest satisfaction
• Maintain an organized waitlist while providing accurate wait-time estimates
• Coordinate seamlessly with servers, bartenders, hosts, food runners, and culinary leadership to ensure exceptional service execution
• Oversee table pacing and turnover while never compromising the guest experience
• Ensure exceptional cleanliness, presentation, and readiness throughout all guest-facing areas
• Uphold restaurant policies, dress standards, and service expectations
• Assist with private events, VIP guests, wine dinners, and large-party coordination

Team Leadership

• Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and develop an exceptional front-of-house team
• Supervise bartenders, servers, hosts, food runners, and support staff
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and hospitality
• Conduct ongoing coaching, performance evaluations, and staff development
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and continuous service education

Wine & Beverage Leadership

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of wine regions, varietals, vintages, and flavor profiles
• Expertly recommend wine pairings that complement menu offerings and elevate the guest experience
• Present wine lists confidently while delivering engaging tableside wine service
• Perform proper wine presentation, opening, decanting, and pouring techniques
• Partner with the Executive Chef to maintain and evolve the restaurant's wine program
• Monitor wine inventory and communicate purchasing and restocking needs
• Ensure proper wine storage, handling, and cellar organization
• Provide ongoing wine education, tasting opportunities, and beverage training for the front-of-house team
• Support cocktail development in collaboration with the bar team and leadership

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Create labor schedules that balance outstanding hospitality with financial responsibility
• Monitor labor costs, staffing levels, and productivity
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning
• Utilize operational data to improve service efficiency and profitability
• Maintain proficiency with reservation, POS, and hospitality management systems

Leadership Collaboration

• Partner closely with Executive Chef Johnny Church to ensure seamless communication between front and back of house
• Communicate proactively regarding service opportunities, guest feedback, and operational improvements
• Participate in leadership meetings and strategic planning initiatives
• Support restaurant opening initiatives, training programs, and ongoing operational excellence
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in upscale or fine dining hospitality
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing front-of-house teams
• Previous experience opening and launching a restaurant concept
• Strong working knowledge of wine service and cocktail development
• Certified Sommelier, or equivalent experience
• Experience with Clover, OpenTable, or comparable POS and reservation platforms
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor costs and operational budgets
• Outstanding communication, coaching, and leadership skills

Preferred Characteristics

The ideal candidate possesses:

• Grace under pressure and the ability to lead with confidence and composure
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences
• Professional conflict resolution and communication skills
• Impeccable personal presentation aligned with the Antithesis and Royal Gorge Route Railroad brand
• Strong storytelling abilities around food, wine, and guest experience
• A passion for mentoring others and building a high-performance hospitality culture
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• A collaborative leadership style that strengthens relationships across all departments

Working Conditions & Essential Functions

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout each shift
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Fast-paced fine dining environment
• Evenings, weekends, and holidays required
• Minimum 40-hour workweek

Why Join the Royal Gorge Route Railroad Family?

Working here means more than managing a restaurant.

You'll become part of one of Colorado's premier hospitality organizations, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests annually through luxury train excursions, destination dining, lodging, weddings, and special events.

Antithesis represents the next chapter in that legacy-a restaurant designed to become one of the region's premier culinary destinations.

As a founding member of the leadership team, you'll have the rare opportunity to shape every aspect of the guest experience while working alongside one of Colorado's most accomplished chefs.

If you're ready to build something exceptional instead of simply maintaining the status quo, we'd love to meet you.

Smoke-Free Workplace

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad and all affiliated properties are proudly 100% smoke-free.

Smoking or vaping is prohibited anywhere on company property, including the train, Royal Gorge Mansion, Antithesis, Happy Endings Caboose Café, Royal Gorge Route Inns, parking areas, and all other company-owned facilities.

We believe a smoke-free environment supports our commitment to providing a world-class guest experience while maintaining a clean, healthy, and professional workplace for every member of our team.

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation in order to apply, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.