Downtown Restaurant Manager

Job Description

Restaurant Manager | St. Petersburg Yacht Club

Location: Downtown location (11 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL)

Schedule: Full-Time | Wednesday – Sunday (3:00 PM – clubhouse closing) *hours may vary depending on the day of the week

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Target Start Date: May 2026

Application Deadline: TBD

Reporting to: Food & Beverage Director

Salary: Negotiable

Why Join SPYC?

This is a unique opportunity to join a historic institution at a pivotal moment. The incoming Restaurant Manager will play a critical role in shaping the future of our facilities and service culture. We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and a path for professional advancement within the Club.

Position Overview

The St. Petersburg Yacht Club is seeking a sophisticated, high-energy Restaurant Manager to lead our diverse à la carte dining operations. Overseeing three distinct outlets—ranging from upscale fine dining to casual and high-volume outdoor service, this role is responsible for an annual revenue of $4M and a dedicated team of 30+ staff members.

We are looking for a leader who is not just a manager, but a visionary ready to evolve with the Club and set the standard for the future of our hospitality department.

The Three Pillars of Your Portfolio

• The 1909 Grille Restaurant (Refined Casual): A focus on refined "Steps of Service," wine knowledge, and high-touch member recognition.
• The Heritage Lounge (Casual): High-volume, high-energy environment requiring quick thinking and efficient floor management.
• The Tiki/Deck (Outdoor): Managing seasonal surges, craft cocktail consistency, and a fast-paced team.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence: Direct evening operations across three dining outlets, ensuring seamless "Steps of Service" are executed in every environment.
  • Operational Control: Full P&L responsibility for floor labor and beverage costs. Proficiency in Jonas Club Management is required for daily reporting and member billing.
• Talent Acquisition: You will own the full lifecycle of your 30+ person team—from targeting and interviewing to the rigorous training of new hires on SPYC’s specific service standards. You will be responsible for fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional growth.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage to the budget set forth by the Club with a focus on labor costs, inventory integrity, and revenue growth.
• Modernization: Assist the F&B Department in evolving our wine and craft cocktail programs to meet the tastes of a diversifying membership.
• Member Relations: Maintain a visible and professional presence on the floor, handling high-pressure situations with the decorum and grace expected in a premier private club environment.

Candidate Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of management experience in a high-volume restaurant or private club setting, backed by 5+ years of deep F&B knowledge.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in the Jonas Club Management System (preferred) or similar POS platform and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of wine pairings, mixology trends, and culinary operations.
• Commitment: Must be available to work the core schedule of Wednesday through Sunday, 3:00 PM – closing, with flexibility for club events and the ability to work holidays as required by the Club calendar.
• Character: You must possess "The SPYC Standard" — the ability to maintain impeccable decorum and a calm, authoritative presence during the busiest service windows.

Operational / day-to-day Responsibilities

• The Restaurant Manager is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of the dining rooms, ensuring that all members/guests receive a high level of service.
• The manager works closely with the Food and Beverage Director to manage the team, maintain service standards, and handle guest interactions.
• This role includes supervising dining staff, managing seating arrangements, maintaining cleanliness, and addressing any guest concerns to ensure a positive dining experience.
• Supervise Dining Room Operations:
  • Oversee and ensure that dining room operations run smoothly during service hours.
  • Supervise servers, bussers, hosts/hostesses, and other front-of-house staff to ensure excellent service delivery.
  • Ensure the dining room is properly set up before service and cleaned and organized after service.
  • Manage guest seating and maintain flow to minimize wait times and ensure members/guests are seated promptly.
• Staff Management & Training:
  • Assist in training and onboarding new dining staff, ensuring they understand service standards, menu offerings, and restaurant procedures.
  • Provide guidance to staff during service, offering feedback and support to maintain high service standards.
  • Monitor staff performance, resolve issues, and report any performance concerns to the Food and Beverage Director.
  • Encourage teamwork, maintain staff morale, and foster a positive work environment.
• Member Service & Problem Resolution:
  • Ensure guests have an excellent dining experience by attending to their needs, answering questions about the menu, and assisting with special requests.
  • Handle guest complaints or issues in a professional, calm, and efficient manner, escalating issues to management if necessary.
  • Ensure that all guests are greeted promptly, served in a timely manner, and leave satisfied.
• Coordination with Kitchen & Bar:
  • Work closely with the kitchen and bar teams to ensure timely and accurate delivery of food and drinks.
  • Communicate member/guest preferences, dietary restrictions, or special requests to kitchen and bar staff.
  • Ensure that menu items are available and properly represented on the floor during service.
  • Assist in managing food and beverage orders to ensure smooth communication between front-of-house and back-of-house.
• Quality Control:
  • Monitor the quality and presentation of food and beverages being served to guests.
  • Ensure that food and drink orders are correctly prepared and delivered as per customer specifications.
  • Check the cleanliness and setup of dining tables, ensuring they meet the restaurant's standards.
  • Ensure that all service equipment, such as cutlery, glassware, and napkins, are clean and well-maintained.
• Health and Safety Standards:
  • Ensure the dining room and all service areas are maintained to high cleanliness and sanitation standards.
  • Monitor dining staff compliance with health and safety guidelines, including food handling and personal hygiene.
  • Ensure all safety procedures are followed, including emergency protocols and accident reporting.
• Administrative Support:
  • Assist with tracking reservations and managing waitlists to ensure efficient guest seating.
  • Help with inventory management and the replenishment of dining room supplies (e.g., napkins, condiments, table settings).
  • Provide feedback to the Food and Beverage Director on any operational challenges or improvements needed.
• Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and sometimes noisy environment.
• Occasional lifting and moving of furniture or supplies.
• Fast-paced environment requiring excellent attention to detail and time management.

Company Description

The St. Petersburg Yacht Club is a private, members-only club that is internationally known for providing the highest quality service to our members and visiting guests since the early 1900s.

We provide this service to our members by hiring and retaining the best employees in the industry. Our excellent working environment and extensive benefits package are only some of the reasons why our employees stay with our organization for decades.

We are always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this job application!

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• On-site Parking
• Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Jury Duty
• Paid Vacation
• Sick Time
• Smoke-free Work Environment
• Free On-duty Meals
• Employee Parties
• Direct Deposit
• Holiday Bonus
• Bereavement Leave
• Family and Medical Leave
• Uniforms