General Manager | Exciting, Growing Mediterranean Concept | NYC
About the Role
We are opening an exciting new luxury dining concept in New York and are seeking a General Manager to build the operation from the ground up. You will lead the restaurant through every phase of pre-opening—from operational planning and recruitment to training, systems implementation, and launch—before transitioning into full operational leadership. Working closely with ownership and cross-functional partners, you will establish the culture, standards, and guest experience that define the concept while driving financial performance and developing a high-performing team. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced operator who thrives in openings and is looking to leave a lasting mark on a flagship restaurant.
Desired Qualifications
- Proven experience as a General Manager or F&B Director within luxury hospitality and high-end restaurant or lifestyle dining environments, preferably within internationally recognized global brands.
- Extensive experience leading restaurant openings from construction through pre-opening and successful launch, including budget development, project coordination, SOP creation, and operational planning.
- Strong financial acumen with full responsibility for budgets, P&L, forecasting, CAPEX and OPEX management, and pre-opening financial control.
- Executive-level leadership experience managing large-scale restaurant operations with both front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Strong understanding of US regulatory requirements including health and safety, labor laws, licensing, and compliance in a major metropolitan market such as New York City.
- Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and retain high-performing teams with a strong focus on culture, training, and long-term development.
- Strong communication skills in English; additional languages are an advantage.
- Strong creativity in luxury dining, lifestyle hospitality, guest experience design, and food and beverage programming.
- Proficiency in MS Office, POS systems, and restaurant management platforms.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong executive presence with the ability to lead diverse, high-performing teams in a high-energy environment.
- Ability to manage complex multi-outlet restaurant operations while maintaining a vibrant and consistent guest experience.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills under pressure.
- Proven ability to drive revenue growth, manage costs, and deliver strong financial performance.
- Strong project management capability including budgeting, vendor coordination, contract review, construction oversight, and site coordination.
- Excellent organizational skills with strong execution discipline.
- Ability to develop, coach, and inspire teams at all levels.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage ownership, designers, contractors, and senior stakeholders.
- Passion for lifestyle hospitality, guest experience, and creating memorable dining moments.
- Strong understanding of current US hospitality and New York dining trends.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy New York environment.
- High standards of professionalism, presentation, and integrity.
- Strong collaboration skills across ownership, operations, and creative teams.
Key Targets
- Achieve monthly and annual revenue, operating profit (GOP), and overall profitability targets.
- Maintain exceptional guest satisfaction aligned with the concept's brand standards.
- Deliver successful pre-opening timelines, budgets, and project milestones.
- Ensure financial discipline and cost control across pre-opening and post-opening phases.
- Build a strong team culture with high engagement, retention, and leadership development.
- Ensure full compliance with SOPs, health and safety standards, and US regulatory requirements.
- Establish strong brand presence in the New York market, driving demand, reservations, and visibility.
- Maintain world-class restaurant presentation, energy, and operational readiness at all times.
- Successfully execute soft opening and grand opening, reflecting the concept's lifestyle identity.
General Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities
- Lead the restaurant journey from construction through pre-opening and full operational launch.
- Develop pre-opening budgets, operational plans, and strategic frameworks aligned with brand direction.
- Oversee development and implementation of SOPs, service standards, and training programs.
- Coordinate closely with contractors, architects, designers, ownership, and stakeholders to ensure brand alignment.
- Monitor construction progress and ensure operational requirements are achieved throughout development.
- Manage all pre-opening activities including recruitment, staffing structure, onboarding, and leadership setup.
- Lead pre-opening operational and financial readiness meetings.
- Oversee procurement, vendor selection, and contract negotiations for operational readiness.
- Execute soft opening and grand opening strategy, ensuring seamless guest experience and brand delivery.
- Monitor financial projections across construction, pre-opening, and launch phases.
Post Opening – Operations & Financial Management
- Oversee day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring exceptional guest experience and energy-driven service.
- Full P&L responsibility including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting.
- Conduct monthly operational and financial reviews with department heads.
- Ensure compliance with all SOPs, internal policies, and US regulatory requirements.
- Oversee restaurant presentation, maintenance standards, inventory, security, and procurement compliance.
- Lead weekly operational meetings and performance tracking.
Sales, Marketing & Business Development
- Develop and execute sales strategies aligned with the concept's brand positioning.
- Drive guest engagement and team participation in revenue-generating initiatives.
- Analyze performance data to optimize revenue, demand, and profitability.
- Collaborate with marketing teams to strengthen brand visibility and desirability in the New York market.
Team Leadership & Guest Experience
- Maintain strong floor presence to drive energy, service standards, and guest engagement.
- Recruit, train, and develop high-performing restaurant teams and leaders.
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and succession planning.
- Manage guest feedback with speed and care, ensuring service excellence at all times.
- Create an internal culture that brings to life the concept's lifestyle of vibrant energy, timeless elegance, and exceptional hospitality.
Other Responsibilities
- Maintain active presence across the restaurant, vendors, and project sites to support operational and pre-opening execution.
- Work a flexible schedule aligned with a high-energy luxury dining environment, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak service periods.
- Support all areas of the business as required to ensure operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and brand consistency.