General Manager

Location: Nashville, TN

About Us

Vagabond is a proven, award-winning and multi-location wine bar and restaurant concept in London, UK. The founder is now recreating Vagabond here in Nashville with a terrific ~2,800 sq ft property in the Gulch.

Vagabond is all about making it fun and easy to discover new wines. We feature 100 regularly-changing wines that guests can enjoy by the sample or glass from our proprietary self-pour wine dispensing machines. Whilst we have a preference for characterful wines from lesser-known grapes, regions and producers, we endeavor to carry familiar selections too in the spirit of being a place for everyone, from committed oenophile to aspiring enthusiast. Our entire guest experience is designed to be accessible, laid-back and allow guests to explore wine at their own pace.

Food is equally important and the menu is built around small plates and sharing boards inspired by wine-making regions around the world. Think Sancerre-poached scallops over soft grits, Moroccan braised lamb sliders, and tempura zucchini flowers with lemon ricotta and honey. Local ingredients will be used wherever possible.

We believe strongly in: happy team = happy guests = happy P&L. We hire selectively, train and develop rigorously, and reward generously.

This is a ground-floor opportunity to help open and shape a new concept from day one.

The Role

We're looking for a hands-on, experienced General Manager to lead day-to-day operations and help bring this concept to life in America. You'll own the full guest and team experience from pre-opening setup through daily execution with real input into how things are run. Deep wine expertise is not required. We hire for character and competence, first and foremost.

What You'll Do

• Ensure a consistently excellent guest experience
  
• Oversee all FOH and BOH operations
  
• Own the P&L: manage GP, labor, and controllable costs to hit margin targets
  
• Recruit, hire, train and develop a strong FOH team from the ground up (with guidance, resources and support from the Founder, as needed)
  
• Build and maintain scheduling, inventory and operational systems appropriate for a new opening
  
• Work closely with the Founder, Head Chef and Wine Buyer to ensure our proposition remains fresh and compelling
  
• Partner with the Founder on pre-opening logistics, systems setup, and early operational and strategic decisions
  
• Support marketing and community-facing initiatives (events, partnerships, social media collaboration) alongside the Founder and marketing team
  
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and TN liquor licensing (ABC) regulations
  

What We're Looking For

• 2+ years of experience as a GM or senior manager in a reasonably high-volume full-service or fast-casual-plus hospitality concept.
  
• Proven track record of delivering superlative guest experience
  
• Demonstrated success in managing a P&L
  
• Experience opening a new restaurant or bar concept a bonus
  
• Strong leadership and team-building skills
  
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, hands-on environment
  
• Wine knowledge is a plus, not a requirement
  
• Familiarity with TN liquor licensing and ABC compliance is a plus
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $95,000 to $110,000, depending on experience
  
• Performance bonus
  
• Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, PTO, 401k, Dining Discounts