Escape Lounge General Manager Minneapolis, MN

CAVU Group; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CAVU Group is seeking a Lounge General Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation of an Escape Lounge in Minneapolis. You will lead from the front to deliver exceptional guest experiences while driving commercial and operational performance.

You will report to the Head of Operations, manage front-of-house and kitchen teams, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. This hands-on role requires active leadership across all lounge activities.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience managing hourly employees in an operational environment.
• Significant knowledge of retail or hospitality environments.
• Experience leading high-volume catering teams, whether directly or via contracted providers.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and driving profitability.
• Strong understanding of hospitality P&Ls, margin management, labour deployment, inventory and stock control.
• Experience recruiting, onboarding, coaching and developing teams, plus performance management.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, food hygiene, allergen management and operational risk.
• Experience maintaining brand standards and compliance with health, safety and operational requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills; ability to build productive relationships.
• Hands-on, solutions-focused approach; able to lead confidently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful day-to-day operation of one Escape Lounge.
• Lead front-of-house and kitchen operations and develop a high-performing team.
• Ensure the lounge meets service, financial, safety and compliance standards.
• Be accountable for EBITDA, margins and cost-per-guest targets, plus labour and inventory control.
• Drive guest feedback resolution and opportunities to grow admissions and beverage sales.
• Build strong relationships with airport leadership, TSA, Police, unions and suppliers.
• Recruit, onboard, coach and develop staff; manage performance and development plans.
• Maintain safety and compliance with airport, health and safety and food safety rules.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

People management

Budget management

Operational leadership

Guest service

Job description

Description

• Role: Airport Lounge General Manager
• Location: Minneapolis
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Hours: 40+

Why CAVU?

For airports, for partners, for people. We are CAVU.

At CAVU our purpose is to find new and better ways to make airport travel seamless and enjoyable for everybody. From the smallest ideas to the biggest changes. Every day here is about creating better travel experiences.

From our revenue accelerating single platform technology, Propel, through to our world-class hospitality venues including Escape Lounges, our solutions make travel more seamless and enjoyable for passengers, and more profitable for our clients and partners.

We know that to bring your best ideas, you need the space to think, the right support, and the freedom to be your true, authentic self.

Whether you’re working from our offices, from home, in a lounge, or out on the road, we provide the environment to create, innovate, and transform airport travel.

If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real impact, bring new ideas to life, and push boundaries, then CAVU is the place for you.

Together, we can reach new heights. Together, we are CAVU.

About the Role

As Lounge General Manager, you’ll take overall responsibility for the successful day-to-day operation of one of our Escape Lounges, leading from the front to deliver an exceptional guest experience while driving strong commercial, operational and people performance.

Reporting to the Head of Operations, you’ll lead both front-of-house and kitchen operations, developing a high-performing team and ensuring the lounge consistently delivers against our service, financial, safety and compliance standards. You’ll have accountability for financial performance, including EBITDA, margin and cost-per-guest targets, as well as labour deployment, inventory and stock control.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role. You’ll create a culture where outstanding hospitality is the standard, taking ownership of guest feedback and complaint resolution while identifying opportunities to grow admission conversion and beverage sales. You’ll also maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders including airport leadership, TSA, Police, Trade Unions and suppliers.

People leadership will be central to your role. From recruitment and onboarding through to coaching, performance management, talent development and succession planning, you’ll build an engaged team that takes pride in delivering an exceptional experience for every guest.

You’ll also take ownership of safety and compliance within the lounge, ensuring airport, health and safety, food safety and wider regulatory requirements are consistently met and creating a culture where safety and compliance are never compromised.

Working in a Premium Airport Lounge

• This role is based within a busy airport lounge serving departing passengers.
• The lounge operates in a fast-paced environment with a constant flow of new guests throughout an extended trading day and operates 365 days a year.
• Successful candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the required airport security clearance.
• You’ll oversee both front-of-house and kitchen operations, ensuring seamless service and consistently high hospitality standards.
• This is an active, hands-on leadership role which requires significant time leading on the floor and the ability to remain physically active for extended periods.

What Will Make You Successful?

We’re looking for an experienced hospitality leader who combines exceptional people leadership with strong commercial awareness and a genuine passion for delivering world-class guest experiences.

To succeed in this role, you’ll ideally bring:

• At least 3 years' experience managing hourly employees in an operational environment at Assistant General Manager level, alongside significant knowledge of retail or hospitality environments.
• A proven track record in hospitality and delivering high-end guest service.
• Experience leading high-volume catering teams, whether directly employed or through contracted providers.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and driving profitability.
• A strong understanding of hospitality P&Ls, margin management, labour deployment, inventory and stock control.
• Experience recruiting, onboarding, coaching and developing teams, alongside hands-on experience of performance management and employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, food hygiene, allergen management and operational risk management.
• Experience maintaining brand standards and ensuring compliance with health, safety and operational requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to build productive relationships internally and externally.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make effective decisions and lead confidently in a fast-paced environment.

CAVU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.