Senior Operations Manager Lounges & Nightlife

Nova Hospitality•Austin, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Operations Manager to oversee the daily operations of two interconnected lounge concepts. This pivotal role demands a strategic, hands-on leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, capable of creative thinking, decisive action, and real-time adaptation. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of hospitality, cocktail culture, and business operations. They should be passionate about crafting exceptional guest experiences, skilled in building and guiding high-performing teams, and equipped with the operational acumen to manage costs, drive performance, and optimize service. This position requires flexibility in scheduling, with a consistent on-site presence during peak hours, primarily from afternoon through late night. Local candidates are preferred, or candidates who are planning to relocate to Austin.

Requirements

3–5+ years of hospitality management experience, preferably in high-volume, cocktail-focused establishments.
Demonstrated success in both beverage program leadership and overall venue operations, including P&L management, inventory control, and scheduling.
Exceptional leadership and people development skills, with a natural ability to build cohesive teams.
Creative and well-versed in current cocktail trends, spirits, and hospitality-driven beverage programs.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to follow through on tasks.
Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, holidays, and late shifts (until 2 AM+).
Entrepreneurial mindset, capable of operating both independently and collaboratively.

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for candidates with experience managing nightlife or late-night venues.

Responsibilities

Oversee the daily operations of both venues, ensuring exceptional service, atmosphere, and guest satisfaction.
Recruit, train, and mentor all front-of-house and back-of-house staff.
Work collaboratively with venue leadership, including executive chefs and managers, to promote internal growth, enhance interdepartmental communication, and cultivate a culture of accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence.
Contribute to the development of beverage menus, uphold cocktail quality standards, and provide training to bar staff on execution and product knowledge.
Manage P&Ls, labor costs, inventory, and budgets.
Implement strategies to optimize margins, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and identify opportunities for growth.
Optimize staffing levels and coverage across both venues, adjusting based on seasonal traffic and event programming.
Uphold all health, safety, and licensing regulations.
Demonstrate initiative by identifying inefficiencies, proposing improvements, and ensuring successful execution.
Maintain a consistent on-site presence during key operating hours (typically late afternoon through late evenings/nights) to lead by example and support team and guest needs
Embrace a leadership style rooted in gratitude, demonstrating care, active listening, clear direction, and daily collaboration.
Expertly engage, mentor, and energize a diverse team, utilizing situational leadership to adapt your approach as needed.
Proactively manage the team lifecycle, including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, coaching, counseling, and performance management.
Partner with Back-of-House management to ensure alignment and delivery of operational and service expectations.
Conduct impactful daily pre-shift meetings for all Front-of-House team members.
Maintain high team morale, addressing any issues with care and efficiency.
Be passionate about hospitality, food, and beverage.
Champion and adhere to all Company standards and policies.