General Manager - Class Act Dining : Job Details

Class Act is a new fine dining restaurant and speakeasy concept in Chicago that combines the revelry of a friend's dinner party with mind-blowing avant-garde cuisine. Class Act aspires to become a world-class dining destination and to earn the industry's highest honors. Currently, Class Act operates as a regularly sold-out monthly popup dinner series. The team is working tirelessly to bottle the magic we've created in the popups and unleash it into a newly opened permanent brick-and-mortar location in 2025. The food and beverage programs will push boundaries. The environment will be exuberant, joyful, and fun. While our ambitions are grand, the vision is humble – create a better world by bringing people together through food.

The experience will start with intrigue and excitement as guests learn about the secret location via text and email. Upon arrival, guests will enter a dreamy welcome lounge where they will be greeted with beverages and encouraged to mingle. Then, guests will proceed to the dramatic dining room with an open kitchen where they will enjoy an unforgettable multi-course, ever-evolving family-style feast with wine and beverage pairing options. Guests will be seated at a communal table designed to spark authentic connection. The food and beverages will be inspired by all facets of life, from childhood memories to creative philosophies. After dinner, guests will move to the intimate speakeasy to enjoy world-class cocktails and late-night bites. The speakeasy will also be open to non-dinner guests.

Class Act is founded and led by Chef Nicolai Mlodinow and Tech Executive & Entrepreneur Shreena Amin. Chef Nicolai has trained and worked at some of Chicago's top Michelin-starred restaurants and hosted the popular Class Act popup out of his home for over 2 years. Shreena is a seasoned business professional and former founder with 10+ years of early-stage & growth tech experience and 3 successful exits. Chef Nicolai and Shreena combine culinary excellence and creativity with business discipline and entrepreneurial acumen.

The General Manager (“GM”) will be the business and operations lead that will help open and build an acclaimed and profitable restaurant venture. We are seeking a fine dining obsessed leader with experience opening new restaurants, building world-class teams, crafting remarkable guest experiences, and delivering exceptional business results. The GM will focus on three main areas:

• Build and manage a world-class team, including recruiting and onboarding staff.
• Support and develop staff to maximize performance and satisfaction.
• Create a fun, customer-obsessed culture.
• Manage restaurant operations, including staffing, service, food safety, maintenance, and compliance.
• Oversee financials: accounts payable, payroll, menu and recipe costing, inventory, P&L reporting, and forecasting.
• Develop and monitor KPIs, solicit guest feedback, and address issues effectively.
• Create policies and procedures to ensure efficiency, consistency, and quality.
• Develop strategies to enhance restaurant performance.
• Collaborate with the culinary and hospitality teams to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Market the restaurant to build brand awareness and equity, supporting marketing activities and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Experience opening new hospitality establishments, including restaurants and/or bars.
• Experience working in fine dining, including Michelin-starred and World's 50 Best restaurants.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, train, and inspire hospitality teams.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, including food, beverages, staffing, and safety.
• Financial proficiency with restaurant finances, including accounts payable, payroll, inventory, revenue forecasting, and menu costing.
• Familiarity with POS systems and management software.
• Experience with restaurant building management and maintenance.
• Track record of delivering exceptional, award-winning guest experiences.
• Strong network in the restaurant, beverage, and hospitality industry for recruiting and collaborations.

Personal Characteristics

• Leader: Culture setter and visionary who inspires the team.
• Accountable: Owns actions and outcomes, reliable and trustworthy.
• Collaborator: Works well with others, values team input.
• Passionate about hospitality: Obsessed with guest satisfaction and culinary excellence.
• Business savvy: Understands KPIs, P&Ls, and focuses on outcomes.
• Data-driven: Analytical and capable of translating data into strategy.
• Organized: Thinks in systems and processes, communicates clearly.
• Detail-oriented: Notices small details that matter.
• Grit and Hustle: Perseveres through challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter: Proactive and independent.
• Strong work ethic: Committed to exceeding expectations.

Work Hours: The restaurant and speakeasy will be open 5 days a week from 5 pm to Midnight. The role involves pre-service and service hours. The establishment will be closed 4 weeks per year.

$80,000–$100,000 annual salary plus healthcare benefits. Potential for equity (ownership in the restaurant and bar) for exceptional candidates.