Bar / Operations Manager — The Nine, Vermont's Indoor Golf Lounge (South Burlington, VT)
Full-time Salary + Bonus High-Autonomy Leadership Role
The Nine Golf Lounge isn’t your average indoor golf joint. It’s Vermont’s newest, most polished, most talked-about entertainment venue — a stunning, high-energy lounge with nine Full Swing Pro 2 simulators, a beautiful bar, a creative hospitality vibe, and a mission to become the place everyone wants to be.
We're already crushing it — and we're just getting started. Now we're looking for a Bar / Operations Manager who wants to put their stamp on something special and help take The Nine into its next explosive phase of growth.
If you’re a creative, people-loving, problem-solving hospitality leader who thrives in a startup environment… keep reading.
The Role
As our Bar / Operations Manager, you'll run the show onsite — the operations, the vibe, the people, the execution, the energy.
You’ll have autonomy, creative freedom, and the owner’s trust to help shape the lounge, elevate our guest experience, and build systems that scale.
You’re the person who can:
- Manage a team with confidence and humor
- Keep operations smooth during rushes and slow moments
- Build events, handle VIPs, and manage client parties
- Order product, manage vendors, and troubleshoot in real time
- Jump in anywhere: bartending, tech fixes, guest recovery, decor tweaks
- Keep the super-high standard that defines The Nine’s brand
This is a startup-style role for someone who loves wearing multiple hats, moving fast, and making things happen.
What You’ll Do
Operations Leadership
- Oversee all daily lounge operations and uphold The Nine’s premium vibe
- Manage facility readiness: cleanliness, lighting, ambiance, equipment, tech
- Troubleshoot tech (Full Swing bays), POS issues, and onsite challenges
People, Staffing & Culture
- Hire, train, inspire, and manage a fun, outgoing team
- Maintain all HR docs and legal procedures to comply with Vermont and Federal Regulations
- Build schedules (bar + floor staff)
- Foster a creative, supportive, high-energy culture
- First line of defense with Staff shortages / call-ins
Events & Groups
- Coordinate and execute all onsite and offsite events (trade shows, golf tournament sponsorships, etc)
- Run large-scale corporate events, leagues, trade shows, and community activations
- Handle VIPs, high-touch clients, and hospitality-focused evenings
Guest Experience
- Solve problems on the fly
- Maintain the “Nine vibe” — polished, warm, fun, elevated, and professional
- Turn tough moments into glowing reviews
- As a team, we proactively find ways to make the experience better for the guest, every day.
Business & Back-End
- Square POS management
- Ordering & inventory analysis (beer, wine, NA, snacks, supplies)
- Vendor management
- HR admin & payroll coordination
- Collaboration with ownership on marketing, brand, and promotions
- Partner with the owner to turn our existing operations into documented, permanent processes — then own and enforce them
- Build and document cash-management and cash-handling procedures
- Develop vendor processes and manage those relationships
- Define day-to-day operational duties and maintain clear job descriptions for every role
- Hold the team accountable to these standards once they're in place
Who You Are
We’re looking for someone who blends:
- Hospitality chops — you’ve run a bar, lounge, venue, or similar
- Creative instincts — ideas for events, promotions, décor, vibes
- Startup mentality — you fix things, build things, and improvise solutions
- Operational discipline — systems, organization, follow-through
- People energy — gregarious, fun, confident, unflappable
- Leadership — you make teams feel supported and excited to work
If people describe you as “the one who always figures things out,” you are our person.
Qualifications
- At least 3 years in an operations or management role (bar, lounge, venue, or similar), with references
- Strong with POS systems (Square preferred)
- Experience with ordering, inventory, cost awareness
- Event execution & client hospitality background
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills
- Able to lead by example — including rolling up your sleeves
- Willing to work nights/weekends (we’re entertainment!)
- Ability to lift 30–35 lbs and move around a large venue
- Reliable and all-in — you show up, you don't call out, and you set the standard the rest of the team follows
- Ownership mindset — you treat the place like it's yours and hold the team to that same care
Compensation & Perks
- Competitive Salary (DOE)
- Performance Bonus Program
- Opportunity for rapid growth as the venue expands
- Free simulator time (off hours)
- A ridiculously fun, creative, dynamic workplace
- The chance to build something big, new, and local-first
Why Work at The Nine?
Because you’ll get to help build Vermont’s next great entertainment brand.
This isn’t a corporate GM job — it’s a leadership role in a high-growth, high-creativity startup that’s already generating a major buzz.
You’ll have real decision-making power, creative influence, and room to grow as the business grows.
If you’re hungry, fun, driven, and ready to push the envelope — you will THRIVE here.
How to Apply
Email your resume + a quick note telling us why you’d be a great fit:
[email protected]
Subject line:
“Manager Application – [Your Name] – The Nine”
Pay: $65,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
