Restaurant Manager

General Manager
Life After Restaurant & Lounge, 190 River Road, 2nd Floor of The Metropolitan, Edgewater, NJ

About Us
Life After is a vibrant, upscale restaurant and lounge celebrating hip‑hop culture through soulful American cuisine with Southern, Spanish, Caribbean, and global street‑food influences. Inspired by urban culture and elevated flavors, our 4,000 sq ft space offers culturally immersive experiences curated for music lovers including a soulful menu, iconic cocktails, and chill vibes.

Role Overview
As General Manager, you'll lead all facets of operations, front of house, back of house, guest experience, and financial performance. You'll be the heartbeat of the restaurant, ensuring culture, creativity, and top-tier service converge nightly.

 
 

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership

Oversee daily restaurant operations, ensuring seamless service during dinner, brunch, and special events.

Maintain peak standards in food quality, cocktail craftsmanship, ambiance, cleanliness, and compliance with health & safety regulations.

Team Development & Supervision

Recruit, train, coach, and mentor a diverse team (servers, bartenders, hosts, line cooks, prep, dish staff).

Implement performance evaluations, foster a high‑energy, inclusive culture celebrating hip‑hop heritage and hospitality excellence.

Guest Experience & Culture

Uphold the Life After ethos: soulful food, rhythm‑driven ambiance, and culturally rich dining.

Handle guest feedback or issues promptly with empathy and prompt resolution.

Financial & Administrative Management

Develop and manage P&L, revenue tracking, labor scheduling, payroll, inventory, and cost controls.

Work with chef and owners to plan seasonal menus, promotions, special events and community programming.

Marketing & Brand Engagement

Partner with leadership and marketing manager to amplify restaurant presence online and locally.

Support monthly event planning to boost engagement and repeat business.

 

 
 

Qualifications & Skills
Experience: 5+ years in restaurant management within full‑service or upscale casual settings.

Financial Acumen: Strong budgeting, forecasting, and cost‑control capabilities.

Leadership Style: Energetic, culturally aware, team‑oriented leader who can mentor staff, build cohesion, and drive results.

Guest‑First Attitude: Passionate about hospitality, guest satisfaction, and maintaining brand consistency.

Operational Expertise: Proficient in food & beverage processes, compliance, scheduling, inventory controls.

Communication & Culture Savvy: Excellent interpersonal skills. Genuine appreciation for hip‑hop, soulful cuisine, and cultural storytelling.

 

 
 

 

What We Offer
Leadership opportunity at a unique, fast‑growing Edgewater restaurant.

Supportive environment, partnered with owners passionate about our customers and our culture.

Growth path: advanced leadership in Food & Beverage, events, operations.

Competitive compensation including profit share