General Manager
About Class Act
Who We Are, What We’re Building, and Why
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 home in 2025. The food and beverage programs will push boundaries. The environment will be exuberant, joyful, fun. While our ambitions are grand, the vision is humble – create a better world by bringing together people through food.
The Guest Experience
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 be encouraged to mingle with other guests. 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 imbibe on world class cocktails and late night bites. The speakeasy will also be open to non-dinner guests.
The Team
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 Star restaurants (Alinea, Smyth, Oriole, Temporis, Sepia, Schwa, Blackbird and more) 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 Role
he General Manager (“GM”) will be the business and operations lead that will help open and build an acclaimed and profitable restaurant venture. We are looking for a fine dining obsessed leader that has experience opening new restaurants, building world class teams, crafting remarkable guest experiences, and delivering exceptional business results. The GM will have three main areas of focus:
1. The TEAM: Recruit, hire, train, manage, and retain a world class team.
The GM will help build the opening team which includes key roles like the Director of Hospitality and Sommelier.
2. The EXPERIENCE: Orchestrate a remarkable end to end guest experience
The GM will have a 360 view of the experience and operations across culinary (restaurant), beverage (bar), and hospitality (Front of House Team). The GM will work closely with leaders across the teams to imagine, create, and deliver a novel and memorable hospitality journey for guests.
3. The BUSINESS: Optimize restaurant operations and business performance
The GM will manage day to day operations and business activities. The GM will develop and implement the processes that enable operational excellence. The GM will manage the software and systems on which the restaurant operates. The GM will measure and report on performance. The GM will consistently seek to proactively maximize profits while maintaining a world class guest experience and working environment.
The GM will be a critical member of the leadership team, founding team, and restaurant and bar opening team.
What You’ll Do
Build and manage a world class team.
Recruit and hire team including a Director of Hospitality and Sommelier.
Onboard and train new staff.
Provide ongoing support and education to staff.
Maximize team performance and satisfaction.
Create a fun and customer obsessed culture.
Manage restaurant operations
Staffing
Service
Ensure all food health and safety protocols are in place and followed
Maintain restaurant compliance with all food health and safety standards
Building maintenance
Manage restaurant financials
Accounts payable
Payroll
Menu + recipe costing
Inventory management
P&L reporting and forecasting
Manage restaurant business performance
Develop, monitor, and report KPIs
Solicit, monitor, and address guest feedback
Handle any issues and concerns from guests, and do so diligently and effectively
Create policies and standard operating procedures aimed to deliver efficiency, consistency, and quality across restaurant operations
Develop and execute strategies to optimize restaurant performance.
Orchestrate an exceptional guest experience
Collaborate with the Head Chef, Director of Hospitality, to deliver a seamless, cohesive, and remarkable guest experience
Develop the systems, processes, and communication channels to efficiently deliver the guest experience and maximize revenue
Market the restaurant to build brand awareness and brand equity
Support relevant marketing activities and partners (e.g. Public Relations agency, social media)
Ensure our processes, our service, and our quality reflect the brand values
What We’re Looking For
Qualifications
Experience opening new hospitality establishments including restaurants and/or bars
Experience working in fine dining. Michelin star, and World’s 50 Best restaurants
Experience building, mentoring, training, and inspiring world class hospitality teams
Experience managing, developing, and retaining world class hospitality teams
Strong knowledge of restaurant operations including food, beverages, staffing, and food safety
High proficiency with restaurant finances including accounts payable, payroll, inventory, revenue forecasting, menu/recipe costing
Familiarity with POS systems and restaurant management software
Experience with restaurant building management and maintenance
Track record of delivering exceptional, award winning, industry recognized guest experiences
Strong restaurant, beverage, and hospitality network to leverage for recruiting and collaborations
Personal Characteristics
Leader. You are a culture setter. You’re an example setter. You help create the vision and inspire the team to bring it to life.
Accountable. You own your actions and your outcomes. Your team can rely on you and trust you.
Collaborator. You work with your team to make the magic happen. You actively seek and incorporate their input.
Passionate about hospitality. You’re obsessed with making guests happy. You geek out on all things culinary, beverage, and hospitality.
Business savvy. You know about KPIs and P&Ls. You focus on outcomes and performance. You’re always thinking about the bottom line.
Data driven. You’re analytical. You’re comfortable with numbers. You measure what matters and can translate it into strategic action.
Exceptional organizational skills. You think in systems and processes. You like order and structure. You document and communicate.
Exceptional attention to detail. You notice and sweat the small stuff.
Grit and Hustle. You’re undeterred by unpredictability and demands of working in a kitchen and bar. You can adapt or persevere through any situation. You enjoy the bustle and pace of restaurant life.
Self-starter. You don’t need to be told what to do. You figure out what needs to be done and get to it.
Strong work ethic. You are willing and excited to go above and beyond to deliver for our guests and for our investors.
Work Hours
The restaurant and speakeasy will be open 5 days a week from 5pm to Midnight. The role will work pre-service and service. The restaurant and speakeasy will be closed 4 weeks per year.
Compensation
$80-$100k annual salary plus healthcare benefits. Potential for equity (ownership in the restaurant and bar) for exceptional candidates.
How to Apply
Complete this form and send your resume to talent@classactdining.club.