Senior Restaurant Leader: Guest Experience & Ops

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Free and discounted meals

Career growth and advancement

Lifestyle perks

Job summary

BJ's Restaurants in Cary, NC is seeking a Senior Restaurant Manager to lead daily operations, coach teams, and uphold BJ’s Gold Standard in food quality and guest service. You will oversee opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, while inspiring a culture of excellence and memorable guest experiences.

This exempt management role focuses on hiring, training, and developing talent, driving performance, and delivering exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading full-service dining or GM-level in fast-casual environments.
• Ability to hire, train and develop talent across shifts.
• Strong focus on food safety, quality, and guest experience.
• Proven leadership in coaching teams and driving performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily restaurant operations across opening, mid-day, and closing shifts.
• Coach, develop, and recognize team members to drive performance.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and adherence to BJ’s Gold Standard.
• Manage guest concerns with professionalism and guest-centric service.

Skills

Guest-centric leadership

Communication skills

Team coaching and development

Problem-solving

Operations leadership

Job description

Overview

Who We Are

At BJ’s Restaurants, we’ve been bringing people together to celebrate life’s moments since 1978. We’re more than a restaurant; we’re a team of passionate people who take pride in creating great food, memorable experiences, and a workplace where everyone feels valued. If you’re energized by teamwork, motivated to keep learning, and passionate about creating great experiences for others, you’ll feel right at home here.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior Restaurant Manager at BJ’s Restaurants, you'll lead a team dedicated to delivering great food, exceptional hospitality, and memorable guest experiences. You'll oversee all aspects of restaurant operations during opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, while coaching and developing team members, driving performance, and creating a culture where both guests and team members thrive.

As a key member of the restaurant leadership team, you'll play an important role in hiring, training, and developing talent, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering BJ’s Gold Standard service every day. Your leadership will help create a fun, high-energy environment that drives guest loyalty, team engagement, and restaurant success. This is an exempt management position focused on leading people, developing talent, and creating exceptional experiences for both guests and team members.

Responsibilities

How You’ll Contribute

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily restaurant operations with a focus on execution, efficiency, and team engagement.

• Set the tone for each shift by communicating priorities, coaching teams, and driving accountability.

• Ensure a safe, well-maintained environment for guests and team members by proactively addressing operational needs.

• Uphold company standards, policies, and regulatory requirements with consistency and integrity.

• Support the growth and development of team members through coaching, feedback, recognition, and performance management.

Food & Beverage Excellence

• Champion food safety, sanitation, and quality standards across all areas of the restaurant.

• Ensure every dish and beverage meets BJ’s Gold Standard for quality, consistency, and presentation.

• Monitor daily production and preparation to ensure operational readiness and an exceptional guest experience.

Team Guest & Experience

• Coach, train, and inspire team members to deliver outstanding hospitality and memorable guest experiences.

• Build a culture of service excellence by developing talent and reinforcing BJ’s Values and Behaviors.

• Resolve guest concerns with professionalism and care, turning challenges into opportunities to create loyal guests.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• At least one year of full-service dining experience or General Manager-level experience in a fast-casual environment.

• One year leading, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.

• A guest-first mindset with a strong commitment to cleanliness and delivering exceptional experiences.

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with strong problem-solving skills and decision making.

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.

• Dependable, self-motivated, and strives to achieve results.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• A passion for creating a positive culture where team members and guests can thrive.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with a minimum 50-hour work week consisting of five 10-hour shifts.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $75,000plus bonus eligibility.

This pay range reflects the anticipated compensation for this role. Final salary will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, relevant experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Benefits that matter… Live your best life!

• Comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, parental leave, disability coverage, and similar programs

• Free and discounted meals

• Career growth and advancement opportunities

• Employee discount program and additional lifestyle perks

• A collaborative culture built on teamwork, service, and celebrating wins

Come celebrate your career with us one Pizza, Pour and Pizookie at a time!

BJ’s Restaurants is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer.

Pay Range

USD $65,000.00 - USD $75,000.00 /Yr.