Restaurant General Manager - Haven

Description

HELP BUILD SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

Haven is a chef-driven restaurant in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, seeking an exceptional Restaurant General Manager to lead its front-of-house team and help shape its continued growth.

ABOUT HAVEN

With its own distinct culinary identity and the support and resources of Chetola Resort, Haven combines the creativity and energy of an independent restaurant with the stability and opportunities of an established hospitality destination.

At Haven, we believe exceptional hospitality begins with exceptional people. We are building a culture where craftsmanship, professionalism, curiosity, and continuous learning come together to create remarkable experiences for our guests—and an outstanding place to build a career.

Haven’s menu is rooted in Appalachian cuisine and the exceptional farms, foragers, and producers of the region. Through a small-plates and tasting-menu experience, we showcase hyper-seasonal ingredients while drawing inspiration from global culinary traditions and modern techniques. The result is thoughtful, ingredient-driven food that feels both familiar and unexpected.

We are looking for a disciplined, visionary, and service-obsessed leader who can translate that culinary vision into an equally distinctive guest experience.

THE ROLE

Haven is seeking a disciplined, visionary, and service-obsessed Restaurant General Manager to lead all front-of-house operations and guide the restaurant through its next stage of growth.

This is more than a traditional supervisory position. It is an opportunity to strengthen Haven’s service culture, refine its operating systems, develop an exceptional team, and help establish the restaurant as one of the High Country’s most distinctive dining experiences.

The Restaurant General Manager will partner closely with the culinary leadership team and Chetola Resort’s leadership team. This leader will set, communicate, and consistently uphold service standards; foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and pride; and create a guest experience that is polished, personal, and memorable.

The Restaurant General Manager will ensure that every shift, every table, and every detail reflects Haven’s identity and ambitions.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Standards of Excellence & Guest Experience

• Establish, communicate, and consistently uphold exceptional service standards throughout the dining room, bar, and all guest-facing areas
• Lead by example through polished service execution, refined presentation, and warm, professional guest engagement
• Ensure the service experience complements Haven’s chef-driven menu and thoughtfully communicates the stories behind its ingredients, producers, and techniques
• Train and coach the team to deliver knowledgeable, attentive, and intuitive hospitality without becoming overly formal or scripted
• Maintain a visible presence on the floor, engaging with guests and anticipating operational needs throughout service
• Continuously inspect guest-facing spaces to ensure presentation, cleanliness, atmosphere, and service standards are consistently achieved
• Take ownership of guest feedback and service recovery, resolving concerns thoughtfully and using them to strengthen the operation
• Build relationships with guests and cultivate the loyalty and recognition expected from a destination restaurant

Culture, Leadership & Accountability

• Build and sustain a culture rooted in pride, teamwork, professionalism, learning, and mutual respect
• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, and develop a high-performing front-of-house team
• Inspire and recognize team members while holding everyone accountable to clearly communicated expectations
• Lead effective pre-shift meetings that prepare, educate, and energize the team
• Provide timely coaching, constructive feedback, and consistent performance management
• Develop the team’s knowledge of food, wine, spirits, ingredients, producers, and service techniques
• Identify emerging leaders and create opportunities for expanded responsibility and advancement
• Foster a workplace where employees feel supported, challenged, and invested in Haven’s success
• Partner closely with culinary leadership to create one unified restaurant team

Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily front-of-house operations, including scheduling, floor management, reservations, shift readiness, opening, and closing
• Maintain a strong command of the reservation book, pacing, seating strategy, table turns, and overall service flow
• Continually evaluate and refine service procedures, floor plans, station assignments, and operating systems
• Ensure accurate use of POS and reservation systems, as well as proper cash handling and financial reporting
• Manage beverage, operating-supply, and front-of-house inventories
• Build productive vendor relationships and maintain organized, efficient storage and work areas
• Maintain current standard operating procedures, training materials, checklists, and service documentation
• Lead the execution of private dining experiences, special events, tastings, and seasonal programming
• Ensure Haven is fully prepared, organized, and positioned to deliver an exceptional experience during every service

Collaboration & Financial Stewardship

• Partner closely with the culinary leadership team to ensure seamless communication, coordinated pacing, and aligned priorities between the front and back of house
• Participate in menu development, tastings, and service planning so the front-of-house team can confidently describe and deliver each experience
• Collaborate on wine, cocktail, beer, and nonalcoholic beverage programs that complement Haven’s culinary identity
• Monitor revenue, labor, cost of goods, check averages, productivity, and other key performance indicators
• Build schedules that balance service excellence, employee well-being, and financial responsibility
• Analyze guest feedback and operating data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement
• Support budgeting, forecasting, purchasing, and financial reporting
• Ensure compliance with all applicable ABC regulations, health codes, employment requirements, and safety standards

Requirements

ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN ACTION

At Haven, excellence will live in the details. As Restaurant General Manager, you will set the example and ensure the team understands how seemingly small choices shape the guest experience:

• Tabletop precision: Each place setting is intentional, consistent, spotless, and appropriate for the menu
• Glassware and flatware: Every piece is polished and free of fingerprints, water spots, or streaks
• Room presentation: Tables, chairs, lighting, music, temperature, and other environmental details work together to create the intended atmosphere
• Team presentation: Uniform and grooming standards are consistently maintained
• Menu knowledge: Team members confidently explain ingredients, preparations, producers, pairings, and the story behind each dish
• Guest recognition: Preferences, celebrations, dietary needs, and other important details are communicated and remembered
• Service flow: Courses and beverages are paced thoughtfully—never rushed, disconnected, or unnecessarily delayed
• Professional readiness: The restaurant is fully prepared before every service, with no detail left for the guest to discover

ABOUT YOU

• You are a proven restaurant leader with experience managing an upscale, chef-driven, or fine-dining operation
• You are excited by the challenge of opening a restaurant and building its systems and culture from the beginning
• You understand how to translate a culinary vision into a cohesive and memorable service experience
• You know how to inspire, develop, and support people while holding them accountable to high standards
• You are relentless about quality and attentive to the details that others may overlook
• You are comfortable leading from the floor and remain visible, composed, and decisive during service
• You are calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and energized by dynamic restaurant environments
• You value collaboration and view the front and back of house as one unified team
• You are curious about food, wine, hospitality, and the people and producers who make a restaurant distinctive
• You balance warmth and approachability with discipline, consistency, and sound business judgment

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3–5 years of restaurant management experience, including meaningful leadership responsibility
• Upscale, fine-dining, chef-driven, or luxury hospitality experience strongly preferred
• Restaurant opening or concept-launch experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success recruiting, training, developing, and retaining high-performing teams
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage service, wine and spirits, service standards, and health and safety regulations
• Experience managing labor, inventories, operating costs, budgets, and financial performance
• Proficiency with POS, reservation, scheduling, and financial-reporting systems
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and other periods required by restaurant operations
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds

WHY CHETOLA

• Lead a signature dining experience at one of the most recognized resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Play a pivotal role in shaping service culture and guest experience during an exciting era of growth and renewal
• Join a leadership team that values accountability, detail, and authentic hospitality
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits offered to full-time eligible employees, including health, dental, vision, supplemental coverage, PTO, and on-property perks

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.