Opening Assistant General Manager (Restaurants)

Specialty Restaurants; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Lifestyle Spending Account

Supplemental Benefit Plans

401k with employer match

Life Insurance

Reward Dollars

Paid holidays

Paid Sick Time

Education Assistance Program

EAP

Management Referral Program

Job summary

Sweetwaters, a modern seafood-focused waterfront restaurant opening in Fort Lauderdale, seeks a hospitality-driven Assistant General Manager to lead the launch with elevated service and guest experience from day one.

With 3–7+ years in upscale dining and high-volume settings, you will coach FOH leaders, manage labor, and drive financial performance while delivering refined hospitality. Health plans, retirement benefits, and growth opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of management experience in upscale/polished dining.
• Experience in high-volume environments ($5M+).
• Emotionally intelligent, poised under pressure.
• Passion for guest relationships and service choreography.

Responsibilities

• Lead with presence as a visible floor leader.
• Oversee daily operations in a high-volume environment.
• Recruit and mentor front-of-house leadership.
• Analyze KPIs and guest feedback to drive growth.

Skills

Leadership

Guest relations

Staff development

Hospitality

Communication

Job description

Sweetwaters a modern, seafood-forward, waterfront restaurant is opening in Fort Lauderdale, built around polished service, exceptional ingredients, and a high-level of hospitality.

We are assembling the founding leadership team that will set the culture, the standards, and the guest experience from day one.

This is an opportunity to help create a restaurant that feels refined without being formal, elevated without being pretentious, and deeply hospitality-driven at every level.

Polished / Upscale Dining | $8–10M Volume | Hospitality-Driven Leadership

We are seeking a hospitality-driven Assistant General Manager to help lead the launch of an ambitious, polished dining restaurant poised to become a market leader in elevated service and refined guest experience.

This is not simply an operations role — it is a leadership opportunity for someone who believes hospitality is an art form.

Our concept blends high-energy volume ($8–10M annually) with the precision, warmth, and sophistication of a maître d’-level experience. We serve discerning guests with high expectations, and we are building a team that rises confidently to meet them.

If you are passionate about curating memorable experiences, developing exceptional talent, and executing service at the highest level — we want to meet you.

• Comprehensive Health Plans that include, a variety of medical and dental plans, employer contribution HAS for yourself and dependents.
• Lifestyle Spending Account benefit, which supports you and your family in numerous ways such as through gym memberships, childcare, student loans & more!
• Variety of Supplemental Benefit Plans for life's unknowns
• 401k with annual employer match after 12 months employment
• Employer paid life Insurance throughout the length of employment
• Monthly Reward Dollars to use at various company locations.
• Paid/Floating holidays for 5 major holidays
• Paid Sick Time renewed yearly
• Education Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality related education growth
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist with work life balance
• Management Referral Program with up to a $4,000 payout for qualifying management positions

Pay $90,000-$100,000 per year

What You Will Do

Lead with Presence

• Serve as a visible, confident floor leader who sets the tone for hospitality and professionalism.
• Model anticipatory service and refined guest engagement.
• Build meaningful relationships with VIPs, regulars, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure every guest feels recognized, valued, and genuinely cared for.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Partner with the General Manager to oversee daily operations in a dynamic, high-volume environment.
• Align staffing, pacing, and floor flow with revenue and guest experience goals.
• Maintain uncompromising standards in service, cleanliness, ambiance, and presentation.

Develop World-Class Talent

• Recruit and mentor a high-performing front-of-house leadership team.
• Elevate service standards through hands‑on coaching and continuous development.
• Inspire accountability while cultivating a culture of respect, polish, and pride.
• Lead dynamic pre‑shift meetings that energize and focus the team.

Contribute Strategically

• Support financial performance through thoughtful labor management and operational discipline.
• Analyze KPIs, guest feedback, and sales performance to identify opportunities for growth.
• Collaborate on initiatives that drive repeat business and strengthen brand reputation.

Who You Are

• A refined hospitality professional with 3–7+ years of management experience in upscale, polished, or fine dining.
• Experienced in high-volume environments ($5M+ preferred; $8–10M experience a plus).
• Emotionally intelligent, poised, and confident under pressure.
• Passionate about guest relationships and service choreography.
• A coach and culture-builder who develops people, not just manages them.
• Detail-oriented with strong business acumen and financial awareness.

Why This Role Matters

This Assistant General Manager will help define the standard. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the service culture from day one — establishing the rhythms, expectations, and spirit that guests will associate with our brand for years to come.

If you thrive in environments where excellence is expected, energy is high, and hospitality is heartfelt — this is your opportunity to build something extraordinary.