General Manager

JF Restaurants•New York, NY

19d•$115,000 - $125,000

About The Position

JF Restaurants is a New York City-based hospitality group led by Michelin-starred Chef and Restaurateur John Fraser. Santa Cruz Co. creates hospitality experiences centered on exceptional food, thoughtful design, impeccable service, and a genuine sense of fun. Casa Cruz is seeking a hands-on General Manager to lead its hospitality experience, develop the team, build guest relationships, and support strong business performance. The role requires balancing high service standards and attention to detail with financial discipline and a positive, energetic culture. The General Manager leads service and guest relations, partners with the Executive Chef to uphold food, beverage, and service standards, and oversees the atmosphere and readiness of the restaurant. The position leads and develops managers and front-of-house staff, manages employee relations and performance, and supports recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention. The role partners with the Director of Operations on financial planning, P&L performance, business strategy, labor and operating costs, and management priorities. It oversees scheduling, payroll, vendor relationships, guest profiles, house accounts, marketing collaboration, operational procedures, facilities, and compliance with employment, wage and hour, workplace safety, and health regulations. The position reports to the Director of Operations and is a full-time, exempt role. Schedule flexibility is required, including evenings, weekends, and varying shifts based on business needs.

Requirements

At least 5 years of service or supervisory experience in a high-caliber restaurant or comparable luxury hospitality environment.
Ability to motivate, mentor, and hold a large team accountable while creating a positive culture.
Genuine appreciation for exceptional food, beverage, design, and the details that distinguish a memorable experience.
Confidence working with budgets, labor controls, operating expenses, financial reporting, and P&L performance.
Strong knowledge of front-of-house operations, facilities, vendor management, and health and safety standards.
Clear, thoughtful, and professional communication with guests, employees, leadership, and external partners.
Ability to prioritize, solve problems, make sound decisions, and remain composed in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and POS systems such as Toast.
Schedule flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and varying shifts based on business needs.

Nice To Haves

An associate or bachelor's degree is preferred.
A degree in business management is a plus.

Responsibilities

Maintain a visible, hands-on presence during service and set the tone for the Casa Cruz experience.
Champion exceptional hospitality, anticipate guest needs, and respond to feedback with confidence, warmth, and discretion.
Oversee room setup, lighting, music, bars, pantries, and the overall atmosphere of the house.
Partner with the Executive Chef to deliver a seamless experience and uphold food, beverage, and service standards.
Build guest relationships, cultivate the community of friends of the house, and support guest relations and outreach initiatives.
Lead, mentor, and develop the management team across operations, guest relations, and facilities.
Recruit, train, and retain a strong front-of-house team; improve onboarding, ongoing training, and professional development.
Foster a positive and accountable culture through clear communication, teamwork, and high standards.
Lead employee relations and performance management with sound judgment, consistency, and professionalism.
Partner with the Director of Operations on financial planning, P&L performance, and business strategy.
Manage labor and operating costs while protecting the quality of the guest experience.
Build staffing schedules within budget, oversee accurate and timely payroll, and ensure operational procedures are followed.
Manage vendor relationships, balancing quality, service, and cost.
Review guest profiles and partner house accounts to support personalized service and long-term relationships.
Collaborate with the communications team on marketing, brand positioning, and initiatives that elevate Casa Cruz.
Identify improvement opportunities, contribute ideas, and help move the business forward.
Maintain exceptional standards in guest-facing spaces, including dining rooms, bars, pantries, beverage storage, and facilities.
Ensure the house is properly opened, maintained, and closed each day.
Uphold applicable employment, wage and hour, workplace safety, and health regulations.
Establish clear operating procedures and ensure consistent execution across the team.
Lead productive weekly management meetings and collaborate with the Director of Operations on priorities, performance, and execution.
Participate in company leadership and financial meetings, contributing insight, accountability, and solutions.