Experienced Fine Dining General Manager
21 hours ago
Manhattan Beach
General Manager – The Strand House, Manhattan Beach A rare opportunity to lead one of Southern California’s most iconic beachfront dining destinations. The Strand House in Manhattan Beach is seeking an experienced, high-level General Manager to guide our multi-level, fine dining restaurant into its next chapter of excellence. This is a chance to lead a landmark property with panoramic ocean views, a world-class culinary program, and a deeply rooted culture of hospitality. We are specifically looking for an excellent communicator—someone who follows through, owns their responsibilities, and can be counted on to carry the vision of ownership with clarity and consistency. About The Strand House: Since opening in 2011, The Strand House has been at the heart of Manhattan Beach’s culinary revolution. Conceived by a group of local families, our restaurant blends sophisticated dining with the warmth of a coastal community. Guests may come for the sweeping 180° Pacific views, but they return for Chef Chris Park’s Coastal California Cuisine, our thoughtfully curated cocktail and wine program, and the genuine hospitality of our team. With five levels of guest experiences—including two bars, patios, a dining room, lobby, and private wine cellar—the restaurant seats over 200 guests across indoor, outdoor, and bar settings. The Strand House operates at exceptionally high volume, producing fine dining cuisine in a fast-paced, multi-level environment. In addition to daily service, private events are a major part of our business. From intimate dinners to large-scale celebrations, our events program requires a GM with the knowledge and oversight to ensure flawless execution while empowering the dedicated events team to carry out the details. The property is also home to StrandBar, our vibrant oceanfront lounge and nightlife destination, adding another dynamic layer to the guest experience. Our company’s purpose is simple yet powerful: to create a happy escape from the harsh realities of the modern world. Every day, our team delivers this promise to every guest and every team member who walks through our doors. The Opportunity: As General Manager, you will be the heart and soul of The Strand House, responsible for the full operation of a multi-level, high-volume fine dining restaurant with a thriving events program and StrandBar, our vibrant oceanfront lounge and nightlife destination. More than that—you will be the culture carrier, the mentor, and the example of true hospitality. You will: • Lead, inspire, and support a management team of 13 (8 FOH, 5 BOH)., • Demonstrate hospitality daily—not only to guests, but to your team., • Act as a mentor and coach, developing your managers and staff to their fullest potential., • Oversee all areas of service—dining, StrandBar, and private events—ensuring excellence at scale., • Partner closely with ownership and culinary leadership to deliver on vision, culture, and results., • Serve as the face of The Strand House in the community, building lasting relationships that strengthen our reputation., • Create unforgettable moments for guests while cultivating an environment where team members feel proud, supported, and empowered. What We’re Looking For: This position is for you if you are a seasoned hospitality leader with a track record of success in upscale, high-volume operations—and if you believe hospitality is a calling, not just a job. Requirements: • 10+ years as General Manager of a large, upscale, fast-paced restaurant., • Outstanding communication skills—clear, consistent, and thoughtful with staff, managers, ownership, community, and guests., • A love for demonstrating hospitality to both guests and team members., • Proven ability to train, mentor, and inspire teams to create extraordinary guest experiences., • Someone who owns responsibilities, follows through, and gets things done—an operator ownership can count on., • Self-awareness and humility—conscious of how you treat others, willing to own mistakes, and always striving to grow., • Strong organizational skills with the ability to get things done while keeping priorities in order., • Strong financial acumen: budgeting, inventory, P&L., • Catering and private event management experience (knowledge to oversee the department effectively)., • Nightlife/lounge experience highly preferred., • Deep knowledge of food, wine, and spirits., • History of long tenure and stability with prior employers., • Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills., • Ability to work closely with the community and be a public-facing ambassador of The Strand House., • Flexible schedule (nights, weekends, holidays)., • Calm under pressure, enthusiastic about the brand and our purpose. Why Join Us: We believe in taking care of our leaders the way we expect them to take care of our guests and teams. Compensation & Perks: • Competitive salary: $125,000/year + bonus & incentives up to $40,000., • Fully paid medical & dental benefits., • Vacation, sick, and holiday pay., • 401K, life insurance, and employee assistance program., • Phone allowance & meals., • Generous employee referral program., • Management training & growth opportunities within Zislis Group., • Discounts at all Zislis Group restaurants & hotels., • And of course—an office with the best view in Manhattan Beach. About Zislis Group & Owner Michael Zislis Serial entrepreneur, hotelier, and philanthropist Michael Zislis has created and operated some of the South Bay’s most beloved restaurants and hotels for over 30 years, including Rock’n Fish, Rock & Brews, and Shade Hotels. The Strand House is a crown jewel in his collection, known for its elevated cuisine, extraordinary views, and commitment to hospitality. Ready to Lead? If you: • Have a genuine love for hospitality, • Thrive in a hands-on, high-energy, fine dining environment, • Take pride in mentoring and developing leaders, • Are a clear communicator who follows through, • Value humility, self-awareness, and accountability Apply today and join The Strand House family. Zislis Group Inc. dba Zislis Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Zislis Group Inc. dba Zislis Group makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.