General Manager

Meliora Hospitality; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group is seeking a General Manager to lead a refined French Mediterranean restaurant in Dubai. The role involves oversight of performance, culture, guest experience, and operations. Candidates should have 5–7 years in senior restaurant leadership, strong financial management experience, and a passion for service excellence. Fluency in English is essential and French is a plus. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive a flagship venue within a globally recognized brand.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years’ experience in upscale restaurant management.
• Proven success in financial management and P&L ownership.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on people development.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for restaurant performance and guest experience.
• Lead and inspire the restaurant team to achieve excellence.
• Oversee operations in collaboration with the Executive Chef.
• Manage budgets and ensure cost control and profitability.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives.

Skills

Financial management

Leadership

Customer service

Revenue optimization

Wine knowledge

Job description

About the job

We are seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead a refined and vibrant French Mediterranean restaurant in Dubai, UAE.

As part of a globally recognized hospitality group, this flagship venue combines elegant cuisine, a carefully curated wine program, and world-class service within an upscale, energetic atmosphere.

The General Manager will have full ownership of the restaurant’s performance, culture, and guest experience, setting standards from pre-opening through day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities:

• Assume full accountability for the restaurant’s overall performance, including guest experience, operational excellence, and financial results.
• Lead and inspire the entire restaurant team, creating a high-performance culture rooted in service excellence, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
• Oversee all front-of-house and back-of-house operations in close collaboration with the Executive Chef, ensuring seamless service and consistent quality.
• Define, implement, and maintain service standards that reflect a refined yet vibrant French Mediterranean dining experience.
• Own the wine and beverage strategy, including wine list development, pricing, supplier partnerships, cellar management, and staff training.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic upselling, guest engagement, events, and wine-driven initiatives.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and P&L performance, ensuring strong cost control, inventory management, and profitability.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management across all departments.
• Oversee compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements in line with UAE standards.
• Act as the primary brand ambassador, maintaining a strong floor presence, building guest loyalty, and cultivating VIP relationships.
• Lead all pre-opening and launch activities, including team building, SOP development, systems implementation, and opening execution.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, landlords, and internal corporate stakeholders.
• Continuously analyze performance metrics and guest feedback to drive improvement and innovation.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in a General Manager or Senior Restaurant Leadership role within upscale, high-volume standalone restaurant concepts.
• Proven experience in French or Mediterranean dining environments, with a strong understanding of service style, culinary culture, and guest expectations.
• Demonstrated success in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L ownership, cost control, and revenue optimization.
• Experience leading and developing large, diverse hospitality teams, with a hands‑on, people‑first leadership style.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance luxury service standards and operational efficiency.
• Fluency in English is essential; French fluency is a strong advantage.
• UAE / Dubai-based experience is highly desirable, with a solid understanding of local regulations and market dynamics.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• A visible, service-driven leader with a passion for hospitality, wine, and creating memorable guest experiences.