General Manager – Upscale, High-Volume Restaurant
Charleston, SC
An established hospitality group is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead a high-volume, upscale dining restaurant in Charleston! This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced service environments, builds strong teams, and understands how to balance hospitality, operations, and financial performance.
The ideal candidate is an organized, service-driven operator with a strong background in team development, cost controls, and day-to-day execution. Experience with new restaurant openings or launching new concepts is strongly preferred.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee the day-to-day front-of-house operation and overall guest experience
- Lead and support the management team and hourly staff through clear direction, coaching, and accountability
- Drive labor efficiency, scheduling accuracy, and cost control initiatives
- Monitor operational performance and partner on sales forecasting and budget planning
- Maintain service standards, cleanliness, and consistent execution across all shifts
- Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management for front-of-house team members
- Manage scheduling, payroll-related oversight, and labor planning
- Oversee ordering for operational supplies, beverage-related items, linens, and other restaurant needs
- Participate in inventory processes and support ongoing expense management
- Ensure proper cash handling procedures, safe counts, deposits, and shift-level financial accuracy
- Lead pre-shift lineups and communicate daily priorities, service notes, and business goals
- Assist with guest issue resolution and ensure a professional, hospitality-focused response
- Support planning and execution for private dining, special events, and VIP service opportunities
- Maintain compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
- Partner with senior leadership on operational goals and business initiatives
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years of experience as a General Manager in a high-volume restaurant environment
- Prior experience in upscale casual or polished dining strongly preferred
- New restaurant opening experience is a major plus
- Strong knowledge of labor management, scheduling, payroll, and cost controls
- Experience with hiring, onboarding, training, and team development
- Comfortable using POS, scheduling, payroll, inventory, and other restaurant software systems
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- Ability to remain composed, decisive, and solutions-oriented in a busy service environment
- High level of professionalism, accountability, and attention to detail
- Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Working knowledge of health department and workplace safety standards
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Ability to bend, lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs as needed
- Ability to work in a fast-paced restaurant setting for the duration of scheduled shifts
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role with a growing restaurant group and help shape the success of a high-profile location in one of the area’s strongest dining markets. Ideal for a GM who is equally comfortable leading from the floor, developing managers, and owning the numbers behind the business.