South Africa: Restaurant Manager

About the Role

As Dinner Service Restaurant Manager at The President Hotel, you will lead the evening dining experience in our signature à la carte venue that comes alive each evening with candlelight, seasonal menus celebrating the finest local produce, and carefully selected Cape wines. You set the tone for the night as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, commanding presence, precision, and genuine warmth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full dinner service operation from pre-service briefing to close of service, owning the floor completely.
• Inspire, coach, and develop the front-of-house evening team to deliver consistently exceptional guest experiences.
• Oversee table management, reservations, service flow, and pacing to create a seamless and memorable dining journey.
• Personally welcome guests, handle VIP reservations, special occasions, dietary requirements, and any service concerns with professionalism and warmth.
• Partner closely with the Executive Chef and kitchen team to ensure front-of-house and back-of-house work in perfect, visible harmony.
• Build and grow the team’s food and beverage knowledge, including our à la carte menu, wine programme, and Presidential Wine Experience.
• Drive revenue through thoughtful upselling that adds to the guest experience, never detracts from it.
• Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, food safety, and operational compliance throughout service.
• Manage shift scheduling, team performance, and staff development in line with The President Hotel’s values.
• Prepare end-of-shift feedback and communicate operational insights to the Food and Beverage Manager.

Requirements

• Minimum 35 years’ experience as a Restaurant Manager or senior front-of-house supervisor in a 4-star hotel, 5-star hotel, luxury restaurant, or fine-dining environment in Cape Town or South Africa.
• Proven experience managing a dinner service team in a high-volume, upscale or fine-dining setting.
• Solid food and beverage knowledge – wine pairing, cocktails, and seasonal à la carte menus.
• Experience with restaurant reservations and POS systems; Opera or similar hotel systems advantageous.
• Strong communication skills in English; additional languages (Afrikaans, Xhosa, French, German) an advantage.

Qualifications

• Relevant hospitality qualification – Hotel School diploma or equivalent preferred.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive remuneration, staff meals, and the daily satisfaction of doing what you love at the highest level.