General Manager

Vandelay Companies; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Dining discounts

Career development

Robust training

Job summary

Hudson House, a Vandelay Companies restaurant, seeks a General Manager to lead daily operations with precision, mentor a high-performing team, and uphold the brand’s elevated hospitality.

You’ll champion guest service, maintain standards for culinary and service excellence, and cultivate a welcoming environment from entry to departure. This role emphasizes developing talent and driving growth across Vandelay’s markets.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of General Manager experience in a full-service high-volume operation.
• Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant / Hospitality Management or related field preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and holidays.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Commitment to guest service and team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team that embodies Vandelay’s culture and standards of hospitality.
• Create memorable dining experiences by exceeding guest expectations and delivering polished service.
• Oversee daily operations with precision, ensuring seamless service and elevated guest experiences.
• Develop forecasts and budgets, monitor key metrics, and manage labor and cost of goods sold.
• Recruit, train, and retain talent, building a strong leadership bench and succession plans.

Skills

General Manager experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Guest service mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Restaurant/ Hospitality Management

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Hudson House is a neighborhood restaurant from Vandelay Companies that pairs East Coast-inspired comfort food with warm, sophisticated hospitality in a timeless setting. Rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Hudson Valley, Hudson House combines an exceptional raw bar, chef-driven cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails to create an elevated yet approachable dining experience that guests return to time and time again.

Known for its curated East Coast oyster selection, The World’s Coldest Martini, world-famous cheeseburger, fresh seafood, sushi, and vibrant brunch, Hudson House has become a favorite gathering place for celebrations, business lunches, happy hours, and everyday occasions alike. Every detail, from the thoughtfully crafted menu to the welcoming atmosphere, reflects Vandelay’s commitment to timeless hospitality, exceptional quality, and memorable guest experiences.

At Hudson House, hospitality is about creating genuine connections. Our team members are passionate about anticipating guest needs, delivering polished yet authentic service, and creating an experience that feels welcoming from the moment each guest arrives until the moment they leave. We believe the smallest details often leave the biggest impression, and we’re committed to making every visit one worth returning for.

About the Opportunity

As a General Manager with Hudson House, you’ll play a pivotal role in bringing our vision to life each day. This is more than a leadership position; it’s an opportunity to shape culture, inspire excellence, and create experiences that define modern hospitality. You’ll lead a high-performing team with purpose and authenticity, oversee daily operations with precision, and uphold the elevated standards that set Vandelay apart.

What truly distinguishes Vandelay is our dedication to growth. Both for our company and our people. We are expanding across markets nationwide, creating meaningful pathways for advancement and development at every level. Many of our current senior leaders started as General Managers. We’re intentional about developing talent from within, and GMs who excel have clear visibility into Director and multi-unit career paths. General Managers are given the tools, mentorship, and visibility to build long-term careers within an organization that rewards initiative, performance, and passion for the craft of hospitality.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team that embodies Vandelay’s culture, values, and standards of exceptional hospitality.
• Create memorable dining experiences by exceeding guest expectations and demonstrating a genuine love for the art of hospitality.
• Foster a high-energy, service-oriented environment, modeling Vandelay’s standards of excellence and motivating your team to uphold them.
• Respond to guest concerns (both written and verbal) with professionalism, creativity, and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Oversee all daily operations with precision, ensuring seamless service, polished execution, and a consistently elevated guest experience.
• Drive financial performance by developing accurate forecasts and budgets, monitoring key metrics, and achieving labor, COGS, and profitability goals.
• Analyze monthly P&L statements, clearly articulate fluctuations, and present action plans during leadership meetings.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain exceptional talent, maintaining accurate training records and leading effective orientations that reinforce Vandelay culture and expectations.
• Build a strong leadership bench by coaching managers and supporting ongoing growth, development, and succession planning.
• Create and execute initiatives that increase sales, profitability, and guest check average through community engagement and smart business strategies.
• Uphold rigorous operational standards across service, culinary execution, sanitation, cleanliness, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all food and beverage products are consistently prepared and served according to Vandelay’s recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Oversee accurate purchasing, correct invoicing, and proper storage and rotation of all products to ensure freshness, quality, and cost control.
• Maintain the aesthetic and physical upkeep of the restaurant, both inside and outside, ensuring a polished and inviting environment.
• Ensure all restaurant paperwork (including daily reports, payroll, purchase orders, and HR documentation) is completed accurately and on time.
• Identify and respond to safety hazards promptly, ensuring a safe working environment and adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Lead weekly manager meetings and participate in scheduled GM meetings to communicate updates, align on goals, and strengthen team cohesion.
• Use guest feedback and reviews to drive continuous improvement, implementing action-based strategies that elevate the guest experience.
• Apply fair, consistent disciplinary actions aligned with Vandelay’s standards and protocols.
• Serve as an ambassador of Vandelay Companies, upholding the company’s mission and fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and hospitality.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant / Hospitality Management or similar field of study strongly preferred
• 2+ years of General Manager experience in a full-service high volume operation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Trustworthy, detail-obsessed and open to constructive feedback
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal
• Desire and natural ability to with our engage guests, exuding an infectious commitment to guest service at all times
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available
• Paid Time Off
• Dining discounts at all Vandelay Hospitality Group concepts
• Professional development and career growth
• Robust Training program
• All Vandelay restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 4th of July so our team can celebrate with their friends and family
• A collaborative, uplifting culture where we take care of our guests by taking care of our people first

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work standing and walking for extended periods of time

If you’re a passionate leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to grow with a company that values hospitality and teamwork, we’d love to hear from you!

Vandelay Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other federal/state protected category.