General Manager

The Ellwood is a California-coastal, 300-seat restaurant entering its first year and preparing to expand into a significant outdoor event venue in 2026. The site will also have the capacity for weddings, music events, private parties, and large-format catering. We need a seasoned General Manager who can guide a young, high-volume operation while also preparing the property for its next phase of growth. This role requires a leader who can operate a busy restaurant today while laying the groundwork for an event-driven future.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee restaurant operations for a high-capacity, oceanfront property and maintain consistent execution across service periods.

• Lead and mentor an 80–100-person team, building a stable culture with clear expectations and performance standards.

• Advance operational systems and training programs that support both daily service and large-scale property usage.

• Partner with ownership to develop the restaurant's future event-venue infrastructure, operational requirements, and service model.

• Work directly with the sales and events team, providing direction on lead management, event planning workflows, pricing structure, and execution standards.

• Ensure a smooth operational handoff between sales, culinary, and service teams for weddings, corporate events, catering, and outdoor programs.

• Manage financial oversight, focusing on revenue opportunities, cost control, forecasting, and event profitability.

• Maintain strong presence throughout the property, supporting staff and ensuring that guest experiences—dining or event—meet brand expectations.

• Collaborate with culinary leadership to align the kitchen with event menus, pacing requirements, and off-site or outdoor catering needs.

• Maintain full compliance with California labor laws, health and safety regulations, alcohol service requirements, and venue-specific permitting.

Event & Venue-Specific Responsibilities

• Support development of the 2026 event venue program, including wedding packages, outdoor event layouts, equipment needs, and service protocols.

• Guide the sales team on best practices for selling weddings, private dinners, music events, and large outdoor gatherings.

• Participate in site visits, tasting events, and planning sessions with prospective clients as needed.

• Establish systems for event execution, including staffing plans, event-day communication flow, and coordination with vendors.

• Identify opportunities to increase venue revenue through seasonal programming, community events, and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in high-volume, full-service restaurants.

• Experience overseeing events, banquets, or large-format venue operations.

• Strong leadership abilities and proven success managing large teams.

• Operational depth in California hospitality, including compliance and labor requirements.

• Ability to bring structure to a young, expanding business while maintaining agility.

• Financial literacy with experience managing P&L performance, labor controls, and multi-stream revenue operations.

• Clear communication style and an ability to coordinate teams across service, culinary, events, and sales.

Ideal Candidate Profile

A strategic operator who understands both restaurant dynamics and the complexities of event-venue management. Someone who can stabilize a new operation, develop people, and help transform a premier oceanfront property into a leading destination for dining, weddings, and large-scale events. A leader who views growth not as a challenge but as an opportunity to build something exceptional.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120, $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person