Restaurant & Community Manager

Location:

Hampton, NH Department:
Hospitality

Employment Type:

Full-Time | Salaried | Exempt

Reports To:

New Hampshire Regional Hospitality Manager

Smuttynose is seeking a dynamic, people‑first Restaurant & Community Manager to serve as the senior on‑site leader of our restaurant operations. This is a hands‑on, floor‑forward leadership role for an experienced hospitality professional who thrives at the intersection of guest experience, team leadership, and community engagement.

As the heartbeat of the restaurant, you will oversee all front‑of‑house operations, lead and develop a high‑performing service team, manage private events and in‑restaurant activations, and serve as a visible ambassador for Smuttynose within the Hampton and Seacoast community.

Working in equal partnership with the Kitchen Manager, you will ensure seamless alignment between FOH and BOH, delivering a consistent, welcoming, and memorable guest experience—every shift, every day.

• Lead all daily FOH operations, ensuring an organized, guest‑ready environment
• Set the tone on the floor through active presence, communication, and coaching
• Lead engaging pre‑shift meetings that align and energize the team
• Maintain consistent execution of service, cleanliness, and hospitality standards
• Oversee opening, mid‑shift, and closing procedures to ensure operational excellence

• Recruit, hire, train, and develop FOH team members aligned with Smuttynose values
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and genuine hospitality
• Deliver ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and performance management
• Build schedules that balance guest demand, labor targets, and team wellbeing

• Serve as a primary ambassador for Smuttynose in Hampton and the greater Seacoast
• Build relationships with local schools, nonprofits, community groups, and partners
• Represent the restaurant at community events and engagement opportunities
• Identify partnerships and activations that drive traffic and strengthen brand trust

• Own all private dining and group events from inquiry through execution
• Plan events directly with guests, create BEOs, and ensure flawless delivery
• Partner with the Kitchen Manager on menus, timing, and service execution
• Lead seasonal, holiday, and in‑house activations that elevate the guest experience
• Track event performance, revenue, and post‑event follow‑up

• Maintain daily, collaborative communication with the Kitchen Manager
• Align on service flow, menu execution, guest feedback, and team communication
• Support specials, seasonal offerings, and event‑driven culinary features
• Champion a united, guest‑first leadership approach

• Monitor sales, labor, guest counts, and check averages
• Build and approve payroll; forecast staffing needs based on demand and seasonality
• Oversee FOH inventory and support BOH inventory processes
• Ensure accuracy in cash handling, POS reconciliation, and invoice review
• Support budgeting and forecasting with real‑time operational insight
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, HR, and licensing requirements

• Serve as the escalation point for guest concerns, resolving issues with care
• Coach the team to anticipate guest needs and create memorable experiences
• Build a welcoming environment where regulars are known and visitors feel at home

• 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in full‑service hospitality
• Proven FOH operations expertise with strong floor presence
• Passion for community engagement and relationship‑building
• Experience managing private events and restaurant activations
• Strong understanding of restaurant financials, labor, scheduling, and inventory
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Comfort working in a high‑volume, hands‑on environment
• Familiarity with Toast POS (preferred)
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and peak periods
• A genuine love for hospitality, people, and community connection