Restaurant Manager

The First Group Hospitality; Dubai Emirate; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The First Group Hospitality is seeking a Restaurant Manager to lead Ikigai’s operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, strong commercial results, and strict adherence to brand standards. You will provide visible, hands-on leadership across service, with accountability for standards, costs, and profitability in a dynamic, guest‑centric restaurant.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years in restaurant leadership, strong F&B service knowledge, and proven coaching ability to develop a

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of restaurant management or equivalent leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage service standards.
• Experience in team coaching and staff development.
• Knowledge of labour management, cost control and inventory management.
• Knowledge of HACCP, food safety, health and hygiene regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day restaurant operations with opening/closing procedures.
• Maintain and elevate service standards, efficiency, and restaurant performance.
• Provide hands-on leadership on the floor during service.
• Ensure cleanliness, presentation, organization and readiness of the restaurant.
• Coordinate events, promotions and initiatives to drive revenue.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences and handle concerns professionally.

Skills

Restaurant management

Team leadership

Staff development

Labour management

Cost control

Food safety

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Overview

About The First Group Hospitality

The First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-headquartered, full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. With a team of industry veterans and a proven track record, the company delivers tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, optimise revenue, and maximise asset value for investors and hotel owners.

As a trusted third‑party hotel management provider, The First Group Hospitality partners with leading global brands to drive operational excellence and long‑term profitability, thanks to expertise spanning property performance optimisation, cost management, and guest experience enhancement.

Beyond management, The First Group Hospitality develops and operates a dynamic portfolio of upscale hotels, residences, and award‑winning restaurants, creating high‑value hospitality assets that stand out in the market. For more information, visit tfghospitality.com

Job Description

The Restaurant Manager is responsible for leading the overall operations and performance of Ikigai, ensuring consistently exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and strong commercial results. The role provides visible, hands‑on leadership across all aspects of restaurant operations, with accountability for service standards, team performance, guest satisfaction, cost control, revenue growth, and profitability. The Restaurant Manager is also responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, brand compliance, and operational discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all day-to-day restaurant operations, including opening and closing procedures, ensuring smooth and efficient service delivery.
• Maintain and continuously elevate service standards, operational efficiency, and overall restaurant performance.
• Provide visible, hands‑on leadership on the floor, actively supporting the team during service and ensuring a strong management presence.
• Ensure the restaurant is consistently maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, organization, and readiness.
• Coordinate and execute special events, promotions, and restaurant initiatives to enhance the guest experience and support revenue generation.
• Deliver exceptional and personalized guest experiences, ensuring service consistently meets or exceeds expectations.
• Resolve guest concerns and complaints professionally, promptly, and effectively, taking appropriate action to protect guest satisfaction.
• Build strong relationships with guests, encouraging loyalty, repeat business, and positive brand advocacy.
• Lead, coach, motivate, and develop the front‑of‑house team, fostering a high‑performance and service‑driven culture.
• Conduct effective daily briefings to communicate operational priorities, service expectations, promotions, guest requirements, and business objectives.
• Prepare team schedules and proactively manage staffing levels in line with business demand and operational requirements.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, development, and performance management to build and retain a capable and engaged team.
• Monitor sales performance, revenue, and profitability, identifying opportunities to strengthen commercial performance.
• Manage labour costs and operating expenses effectively while maintaining service quality and appropriate staffing levels.
• Maintain effective inventory controls, minimize waste, and support initiatives that improve cost efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, procedures, brand standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strict adherence to HACCP, food safety, hygiene, health and safety standards across all restaurant operations.
• Support departmental objectives, business priorities, and operational initiatives, contributing to the continued growth and success of Ikigai.

Desired Skill & Expertise

• Minimum 3-5 years experience in restaurant management or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage service standards.
• Experience in team leadership, coaching and staff development.
• Knowledge of labour management, cost control and inventory management.
• Knowledge of HACCP, food safety, health and hygiene regulations.
• Experience in operating Asian Inspired Restaurant's and Knowledgably with food & Drinks