Upscale Dining General Manager
An established, chef-driven fine dining restaurant in Birmingham, Michigan is seeking an experienced and hospitality-focused General Manager to lead all aspects of the guest experience, team development, financial performance, and day-to-day operations.
This role requires a highly visible leader who thrives on the dining room floor, possesses strong business acumen, and understands the elevated service standards expected in a premier dining environment. The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality, committed to developing people, and driven to deliver exceptional results.
Position Summary
The General Manager is responsible for overseeing all restaurant operations, ensuring exceptional guest experience, maintaining financial accountability, and building a culture of excellence. This individual will serve as the face of the restaurant, leading by example and fostering a high-performance team dedicated to hospitality, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Hospitality & Guest Experience
- Lead from the floor during service periods, maintaining a visible presence and ensuring flawless execution of hospitality standards.
- Create and maintain an exceptional guest experience through personalized service, attention to detail, and proactive guest engagement.
- Develop strong relationships with regular guests, corporate clients, community partners, and VIP clientele.
- Resolve guest concerns promptly and professionally while protecting the integrity of the brand.
- Monitor guest feedback, online reviews, and service metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
Leadership & Team Development
- Recruit, hire, train, coach, and retain top hospitality talent.
- Develop and mentor managers and front-of-house team members through ongoing coaching and performance management.
- Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and hospitality.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and create development plans for future leaders.
- Ensure consistent execution of training programs, service standards, and operational procedures.
Operations Management
- Oversee all daily restaurant operations, ensuring excellence in service, cleanliness, organization, and execution.
- Partner closely with culinary leadership to ensure seamless communication and operational alignment between front and back of house.
- Maintain compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, liquor, and employment regulations.
- Ensure opening, closing, and operational procedures are consistently executed.
Financial & Business Management
- Own overall restaurant profitability and financial performance.
- Analyze and manage P&L statements, budgets, forecasts, and key performance indicators.
- Monitor and control labor costs, scheduling efficiencies, payroll, and overtime.
- Manage inventory controls, purchasing procedures, food and beverage cost objectives, and waste reduction initiatives.
- Drive revenue growth through strategic planning, guest retention, and operational excellence.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity and maximize profitability.
Private Dining & Events
- Utilize Tripleseat to oversee private dining, special events, corporate functions, and group sales opportunities.
- Partner with ownership and culinary leadership to grow event revenue and strengthen community engagement.
- Ensure seamless planning and execution of all special events while maintaining service standards and profitability goals.
Technology & Systems Management
- Maintain advanced proficiency with:
- Toast POS (reporting, labor management, menu maintenance, sales analytics, and operational oversight)
- OpenTable (reservations, guest recognition, table management, VIP programs, and guest experience optimization)
- Tripleseat (event sales, booking management, reporting, and private dining operations)
- Leverage technology and data to improve guest engagement, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.
Beverage Program Support
- Support and uphold an elevated wine, spirits, and cocktail program.
- Collaborate with beverage leadership to drive sales, improve staff education, and enhance guest experiences.
- Coach service teams on wine service, beverage pairings, and hospitality standards.
Qualifications
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 years of senior restaurant management experience, including at least 3 years as a General Manager in a fine dining, luxury hospitality, upscale independent, steakhouse, chef-driven, or high-end restaurant environment.
- Demonstrated success leading high-volume, guest-focused dining operations.
- Proven experience managing restaurant financials, including P&L accountability, labor management, inventory controls, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Strong knowledge of fine dining service standards, food and beverage operations, wine service, and luxury hospitality.
- Advanced proficiency with Toast, OpenTable, and Tripleseat.
- Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
- Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Sommelier certification or advanced wine education is a plus.
- Experience managing private dining and special event programs.
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
Desired Leadership Traits
- Hospitality-first mindset.
- Hands-on, floor-focused leadership style.
- Strong emotional intelligence and guest engagement skills.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
- Passion for coaching and developing people.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based bonus opportunity
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off
- Dining privileges
- Professional development opportunities
- Growth potential within an established hospitality organization
Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and brief cover letter highlighting their fine dining leadership experience, financial management expertise, and experience with Toast, OpenTable, and Tripleseat.
All inquiries and applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
