Assistant General Manager
7 days ago
Phoenix
Job Description Assistant General Manager Vecina — Arcadia | Phoenix, AZ Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 annually Full-time | 5 shifts per week | Evenings & weekends required About Vecina Vecina (Spanish for “neighbor”) is a chef-driven restaurant in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix focused on Latin-inspired cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and a menu designed for sharing. Our kitchen centers around a mesquite-fired grill, which touches nearly every dish on the menu. The food pulls inspiration primarily from Mexico and Latin America, but our team isn’t afraid to reach further when it makes a dish better; incorporating techniques, chiles, spices, and ingredients from around the world. Our bar program focuses on thoughtful cocktails, low-intervention wines, and carefully selected beer, all meant to complement the food and create a full dining experience. Vecina opened in 2019 and has grown into a relationship-driven neighborhood restaurant with a large base of loyal regular guests. Hospitality, consistency, and genuine connection are just as important to us as great food and drinks. Position Overview Vecina is looking for an Assistant General Manager to take a leading role in the day-to-day operations of our Arcadia restaurant. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on running service, supporting the team, and maintaining the daily systems that keep the restaurant operating smoothly. Unlike a traditional GM role, this position focuses primarily on running shifts, supporting the team, and executing daily operations rather than full financial oversight. Ownership and senior leadership remain actively involved in the business, and this role works closely with them to execute the systems and standards that keep Vecina operating at a high level. The AGM will serve as the primary on-site leader responsible for the daily rhythm of the restaurant. This position works five shifts per week, with the majority of shifts focused on evening service and closing responsibilities, including weekends. Service Leadership & Guest Experience • Lead service and manage the floor during shifts, • Conduct daily preshifts and communicate important updates to the team, • Maintain service standards and hospitality culture, • Handle guest concerns and service recovery, • Ensure food, beverage, and hospitality standards are consistently upheld, • Build relationships with Vecina’s strong base of regular guests while welcoming new ones The most important part of this role is being guest-facing and present in the dining room. We are looking for someone who can confidently lead a busy service while building genuine connections with guests. Leadership & Team Culture At Vecina, leadership is about earning trust, not demanding it. We’re looking for someone who can build rapport with the team, rally staff during busy services, and create an environment where people feel supported while still maintaining high standards and accountability. Our best leaders know how to lead from the floor, stay calm under pressure, and help the team succeed without ego-driven leadership. This role requires someone who can: • Build strong relationships with staff and earn respect through consistency and integrity, • Balance accountability with approachability, • Lead by example and work alongside the team when needed, • Communicate clearly and directly while maintaining professionalism, • Maintain standards without creating unnecessary tension Vecina has a strong internal culture and many long-term team members, so leadership style and culture fit are just as important as operational experience. Team Management & Development • Interview, hire, and onboard new employees, • Conduct performance conversations and staff 1:1’s, • Support team accountability and ongoing development, • Write and manage FOH schedules, • Maintain employee records across Paychex, 7Shifts, and Toast, • Collaborate with ownership on staff training and development initiatives Operational Systems & Administrative Duties • Manage and close the restaurant five days per week, including weekends, • Work collaboratively with the chef team to communicate daily information, • Update and print menus as needed, • Coordinate and manage large party reservations, • Conduct monthly FOH beverage inventory, • Make weekly bank runs (Monday & Friday), • Coordinate routine repairs and maintenance, • Manage invoices and coordinate with internal accounting support Marketing & Social Media • Assist with restaurant social media execution, • Participate in monthly planning meetings to build post schedules, • Collaborate with leadership on promotions and guest engagement Qualifications • 4+ years of restaurant management experience preferred, • Strong floor leadership and service management skills, • Experience with restaurant systems such as Toast, 7Shifts, Paychex, R365 or similar platforms preferred, • Strong organizational and communication skills, • Ability to multitask and manage responsibilities in a fast-paced environment, • Passion for hospitality and team leadership Benefits & Perks • Competitive salary ($60,000 – $70,000), • Health, dental, and vision insurance available, • One week paid vacation annually, • Dinner-only service; no brunch or lunch shifts, • Closed on major holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, • Manager shift meals, • Opportunity to be involved in menu, beverage, and operational development, • Growth opportunities as Vecina continues to expand, • Collaborative leadership team with active ownership involvement, • Locally owned and operated independent restaurant Who This Role Is Great For This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being in the action of a restaurant every day; leading service, supporting staff, and keeping the operation organized and running smoothly. The right candidate is: • A strong people leader, • Guest-focused and comfortable on the floor, • Organized and detail-oriented, • Reliable and accountable, • Excited to be part of a collaborative leadership team If you thrive in the rhythm of a busy restaurant and take pride in helping a team execute great service every day, we’d love to meet you. How to Apply Please include a brief note telling us why Vecina interests you and what you enjoy most about leading a restaurant team. We’re less interested in long resumes and more interested in how you think about hospitality, leadership, and working with people.