General Manager

JF Restaurants•York, NY

19d

About The Position

JF Restaurants is a New York City-based hospitality group led by Michelin-starred Chef and Restaurateur John Fraser. Casa Cruz, part of Santa Cruz Co., is seeking a hands-on General Manager to lead its restaurant experience, team, and business operations. The role calls for a visible leader who delivers exceptional hospitality, builds guest relationships, develops employees, maintains high operating standards, and contributes to the restaurant’s financial performance and continued growth. The General Manager sets the tone during service, partners with the Executive Chef, and ensures that the restaurant’s atmosphere and guest-facing spaces meet high standards. The role leads hiring, training, employee relations, and management-team development; partners with the Director of Operations on financial planning, P&L performance, and business strategy; and manages staffing, payroll, operating costs, vendors, procedures, and compliance. The General Manager also collaborates on guest outreach, marketing, and brand initiatives, and participates in management and company leadership meetings. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director of Operations. Schedule flexibility is required, including evenings, weekends, and varying shifts according to business needs. The salary range is $115,000–$125,000 USD.

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 shape 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

Set a visible, hands-on leadership tone during service and champion exceptional hospitality.
Anticipate guest needs and handle feedback with confidence, warmth, and discretion.
Maintain the restaurant’s atmosphere and details, including room setup, lighting, music, bars, pantries, and overall guest-facing spaces.
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.
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, accountable culture through clear communication, teamwork, and high standards.
Lead employee relations and performance management consistently and professionally.
Partner with the Director of Operations on financial planning, P&L performance, and business strategy.
Manage labor and operating costs while protecting guest-experience quality.
Build staffing schedules within budget, oversee timely and accurate payroll, and ensure procedures are followed.
Manage vendor relationships while 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 opportunities for improvement, bring forward ideas, and help advance the business.
Maintain 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 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.