Executive Assistant (Restaurants/Hospitality)

Specialty Restaurants; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation pay

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Lifestyle Spending Account

401k with company match

Employer paid life insurance

Paid holidays

EdAP Education Assistance

Job summary

Specialty Restaurants Corporation seeks an Executive Assistant / Special Projects Manager to act as a strategic admin partner to the CEO, President of Restaurants, Director of Real Estate & Development, and COO. You will manage calendars, prepare executives with data, and advance critical operational projects across a multi-unit portfolio.

The role requires hospitality experience, superb organization, and proactive communication to keep leadership focused and effective.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in restaurant, hospitality, or food & beverage management.
• Strong organizational and project tracking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and comfort working with operational data.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and project support to senior leaders overseeing restaurant operations, F&B, and facilities.
• Track initiatives, action items, and follow-ups from leadership meetings.
• Prepare operational summaries, reports, and materials for executive review.
• Coordinate calendars for the CEO, President of Restaurants, and COO; assist with board packets and events.
• Organize and maintain confidential files and project documentation across multiple properties.

Job description

With over 15 iconic restaurants-and more on the horizon-Specialty Restaurants Corporation is a privately-owned company with a proud legacy and an exciting future. Our portfolio includes beloved destinations such as Rusty Pelican, Whiskey Joe's, and Castaway, where guests come to celebrate life's best moments against unforgettable backdrops. Recognized time and again for excellence-through OpenTable's Most Scenic Restaurants, Diner's Choice Awards, and numerous regional \"Best Of\" honors-our commitment to hospitality and memorable dining experiences runs deep.Position Summary:The Executive Assistant / Special Projects Manager serves as a strategic administrative partner to the CEO, President of Restaurants, Director of Real Estate & Development, and COO. This role goes beyond traditional executive support by providing critical organizational, reporting, and project management support to senior leaders responsible for restaurant operations and growth.The ideal candidate understands how restaurants operate and can anticipate the type of information, reporting, follow-up, and coordination senior operations leaders need to run a multi-unit restaurant portfolio effectively. This role ensures that priorities, initiatives, and operational projects stay organized, on track, and supported with the right data and communication.This position is best suited for someone with hospitality or restaurant experience who excels at organization, communication, and follow-through, and who enjoys being the behind-the-scenes force that keeps leadership focused and effective.Why join Specialty Restaurants Corporation Team?Top-notch Benefits:Competitive salary in the range of $90,000-$100,000 annually depending on experience.Benefits including vacation pay, medical, dental and vision insuranceLifestyle Spending Account, this benefit supports you and your family in numerous ways such as through gym memberships, child care, groceries, student loans & more!Company dining package with allotted spending amount each monthVariety of Supplemental Benefit Plans for life's unknowns401k with annual employer match after 12 months (ER match 25% of the first 5% contribution)Employer paid life Insurance throughout the length of employmentPaid/Floating holidays for 5 major holidaysEducation Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality related education growthEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist with work life balanceManagement Referral Program with up to a $4,000 payout for qualifying management positionsEmployment Classification- Salaried; ExemptEssential Job Duties:Operations & Leadership SupportProvide administrative and project support to senior leaders overseeing restaurant operations, food & beverage, and facilitiesTrack operational initiatives, action items, and follow-ups coming out of leadership meetingsAssist in organizing and distributing operational reports, performance summaries, and supporting data for executive reviewAnticipate the informational needs of operations leaders and proactively prepare materials and summariesServe as a coordination point between restaurant leadership, support center departments, and executivesHelp ensure consistency, organization, and follow-through across multi-unit operational prioritiesCalendar Management:Manage the CEO's calendar by scheduling meetings, appointments, and events, considering priorities and ensuring efficient use of timeManage the calendars of the President of Restaurants, and VP of Food & Beverage as neededCommunication and Correspondence:Draft and review emails, memos, and other communication on behalf of the Executive team to internal and external contactsWork with Executive team in updating quarterly goals and objectives and scheduling quarterly reviewsCompany Events:Charity Events - Coordinate payment and attendance to various charity events, including golf tournaments. Organize table lists for eventsOrganize various company events throughout the yearMeeting Support:Capture and track action items from operational and executive meetings and ensure timely follow-upPrepare operational summaries, reports, and supporting materials for leadership reviewPrepare agendas, presentations, and materials for meetings, ensuring the CEO is well-prepared and equipped with relevant informationBoard Meeting (quarterly) - Prepare Board packet and coordinate distribution with Board members. Set up conference room and order food for all board meetingsPlan and execute projects, including but not limited to conferences and meetingsProject & Information ManagementOrganize and maintain operational documents, reports, contracts, and resources for all restaurant locationsTrack timelines and progress of operational, facilities, and F&B initiatives across multiple propertiesMaintain visibility into restaurant-level projects and ensure leaders have accurate, up-to-date informationOrganize and maintain confidential files, documents, and records related to the Executive teams' responsibilities and initiativesManage records storage inventoryManage various systems and contracts for all restaurants and support centerBuild and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, on behalf of the CEOCreate project timelines and budgets, and track progress against themManage special projects and initiatives as directedProperty Management:Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure properties are well-maintained and compliant with regulationsSupport the CEO and Director of Development in property acquisition and lease agreementsAssist in tracking property-related financials, including budgets, invoices, and paymentsSupport Center managementQualifications, Skills and Abilities:3+ years of experience in restaurant, hospitality, or food & beverage management with demonstrated proficiency in interpreting and managing profit and loss statementsExperience supporting restaurant operations, multi-unit leadership, or hospitality teams is highly desirableStrong understanding of how restaurants function at the unit and multi-unit level (operations, F&B, facilities, guest experience)Exceptional organizational and project tracking skillsAdvanced proficiency in Excel and comfort working with operational and performance dataExcellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities and ensure consistent follow-throughHigh level of discretion and professionalism when working with executive leadership