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9 Career Alternatives Every Assistant Restaurant Manager Should Know

Discover 9 life-changing career alternatives for Assistant Managers and how your restaurant management skills can open new career paths.

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Alternative Jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers: Key Takeaways

The average hospitality career path shows that top leadership roles (like Director of Operations) come after 10–20 years of experience.

Careers in retail, hospitality, corporate training, healthcare, and logistics also value restaurant management experience.

To make the switch successfully: update your skills, network, tailor your résumé, and prepare confidently for interviews.

Alternative jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers are becoming increasingly popular as many professionals look to expand their skills and find better work-life balance. 

This guide explores nine career alternatives that help you grow beyond restaurant management while using your leadership and service skills.

Top Alternative Jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers 

The skills acquired as an Assistant Restaurant Manager are highly transferable to other careers within the hospitality industry

Explore these nine alternative careers where can leverage your experience and expertise. 

1. Restaurant Consultant 

Restaurant Consultants are essentially business advisors specializing in the food service industry. 

They provide expert guidance to restaurant owners and managers on various aspects of running successful restaurant operations.    

This chart compares the average years of experience held by professionals across different hospitality roles. It shows how experience typically increases with seniority.

 

Their role can cover a wide range of tasks, including: 

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2. Hotel Manager 

A Hotel Manager role is not much different from an Assistant Restaurant Manager or Restaurant Manager. 

They manage specific areas of operation or departments within a hotel, like the front desk, housekeeping and food and beverage. 

Assistant Restaurant Manager qualities and skills are directly transferable to hotel operations. Eventually, the skills acquired from this position can lead to a Hotel General Manager role

3. Event Manager 

An Event Manager is responsible for planning, organizing and executing events from start to finish. 

It’s their job to ensure that the event runs smoothly and satisfies the client. They often work in various types of companies, such as corporate, entertainment and hospitality. 

Their experience in managing staff, controlling costs and delivering exceptional customer service is needed for successful event planning

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4. Event Planner 

While Event Managers are often the operational experts, Event Planners are the creative visionaries behind events.  

They conceptualize, design and coordinate all aspects of an event from start to finish. Their focus is on the big picture, including: 

  • Theme development
  • Venue selection
  • Decor and production design
  • Entertainment
  • Overall guest experience 

5. Kitchen Manager 

The kitchen is the heart of the restaurant and the Kitchen Manager heads its operation. They're in charge of food quality, kitchen staff supervision, inventory management and adherence to health and safety regulations.  

They also work with the management team on menu planning and controlling food costs

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6. Catering Manager 

An Assistant Restaurant Manager's understanding of food preparation, presentation and customer satisfaction makes them a good candidate for a Catering Manager position.  

This role demands a blend of creativity, organizational skills and operational expertise, which are skills developed by experienced Assistant Restaurant Managers. 

7. Training Manager 

A Training Manager in the restaurant or hospitality industry is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating training programs for the staff

They work closely with the management to ensure training aligns with business objectives and contributes to the company's bottom line. 

8. Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee recruitment, employee relations and compliance with labor laws. 

Your experience in hiring, training and managing restaurant staff provides a solid foundation for this role. Strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of team dynamics are essential.

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9. Sales Representative

Sales Representatives promote products or services to clients and negotiate contracts. 

The persuasive communication and customer service skills developed in restaurant management can be advantageous in sales roles. 

Understanding client needs and building relationships are key components.

Key Skills for Hospitality Careers: The Assistant Restaurant Manager Advantage 

As we've mentioned, Assistant Restaurant Managers develop a versatile skill set that will help them seamlessly transition into various restaurant and hospitality roles. 

Here's a quick summary of their transferable qualities and skills: 

  • Building strong customer relationships
  • Streamlining processes and managing resources
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Cost management
  • Excel in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, and they can effortlessly adjust to change. 
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Transferable Skills of Assistant Restaurant Managers

Assistant Restaurant Managers develop a versatile skill set that is valuable across various industries. Key transferable skills include:

  • Customer service
  • Team leadership
  • Financial acumen
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management

How To Successfully Transition To a New Career 

Transitioning to a new career can be a rewarding endeavor. Consider the following steps:

  1. Evaluate your interests, strengths and career goals
  2. Pursue additional training or certifications
  3. Connect with professionals in your target industry
  4. Highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences
  5. Get ready for the interview: research, practice, and show confidence

Industries That Value Restaurant Management Experience

The skills acquired as an Assistant Restaurant Manager are highly sought after in several industries, including:

  • Retail Management
  • Hospitality
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Corporate Training
  • Logistics and Supply Chain

Ready for Your Career Shift? 

From operations to customer service, Assistant Restaurant Managers have the expertise and experience that equip them for different alternative jobs within or beyond the restaurant industry.   

If you’re thinking about switching careers, consider these top alternative jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers and see if they align with your career aspirations. 

Alternative Jobs for Assistant Restaurant Managers FAQs

Assistant Restaurant Managers develop a diverse skill set — like leadership, problem-solving and financial management — that’s highly transferable. 

Event management requires multitasking, customer focus and the ability to juggle logistics — all things restaurant managers do daily. 

Managing restaurant staff involves recruiting, training and handling employee relations — exactly what HR managers do. 

It depends on their passion! If they love operations, becoming a Restaurant Consultant or Kitchen Manager is ideal. For those who enjoy creativity, event planning offers freedom. 

First, identify transferable skills like leadership, customer service and cost management. 

Then, network in the desired industry, take relevant courses if needed and tailor your resume to highlight your strengths. 

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Written by Mitko Terziev

Content Specialist

With over eight years of experience in the field, Mitko is a seasoned content specialist who has penned thousands of articles covering a wide array of topics. Before writing, he spent a few months working as a Bartender in one of the best bars in his hometown. In his free time, Mitko enjoys immersing himself in the worlds of gaming and nature.

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