Restaurant Manager – Mediterranean Cuisine

Company Description

Raffles & Fairmont the Red Sea, positioned in the kingdom's groundbreaking Red Sea Project, will provide visitors access to two nature-focused resorts. With 361 rooms, 11 distinct dining concepts, including overwater restaurant with views of the Red Sea and the mangroves, and a Spa.

Fairmont The Red Sea will be a sanctuary of refined elegance and timeless luxury, nestled within Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary Red Sea destination. Blending Raffles’ legendary graciousness and personalized service with the natural beauty and sustainability ethos of Red Sea Global, the property offers a curated haven for the world’s most discerning travellers.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Operational Supervision & Quality Assurance:

• Oversee the daily operations of the Mediterranean restaurant, ensuring a seamless, intuitive, and refined service experience in alignment with Fairmont standards of excellence.
• Ensure the restaurant environment reflects the rich heritage and multicultural identity of Mediterranean cuisine, blending elegance with vibrant authenticity in ambiance, presentation, and service flow.
• Conduct daily briefings and meticulous inspections to ensure consistency in food quality, service rituals, cleanliness, and attention to detail.
• Maintain strict control of inventory, sourcing, and cost management, ensuring the use of authentic ingredients while optimizing efficiency and minimizing waste.
• Ensure full compliance with HACCP standards, local regulations, and Fairmont operational policies.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence:

• Curate a soulful and immersive Mediterranean dining journey, where each guest experience is personalized, memorable, and emotionally engaging.
• Bring dishes to life through storytelling, sharing the heritage, cultural influences, and inspirations behind each offering, reflecting the Mediterranean's diverse culinary identity.
• Anticipate guest needs with intuition and grace, ensuring seamless service delivery that feels both effortless and bespoke.
• Handle guest feedback and service recovery with empathy, discretion, and a commitment to turning moments into lasting impressions.
• Build meaningful relationships with guests, recognizing preferences and creating a sense of belonging that encourages return visits.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and inspire a team of Heartists®, fostering a culture of passion, pride, and excellence in every interaction.
• Coach and develop team members on service artistry, Mediterranean cuisine knowledge, and personalized guest engagement.
• Embed Fairmont service culture through continuous training, storytelling, and role modelling of brand values.
• Ensure high standards of grooming, professionalism, and emotional intelligence within the team.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and the growth of future leaders within the Fairmont family.

Financial Performance & Commercial Focus:

• Drive revenue growth through strategic upselling, promotions, and optimization of average check value.
• Monitor financial performance, including revenue, labor costs, and cost of sales, ensuring alignment with budget targets.
• Prepare forecasts, analyze trends, and implement action plans to improve profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing and events teams to promote the Mediterranean restaurant through campaigns, activations, and partnerships.
• Ensure accurate billing, cash handling, and compliance with financial procedures.

Brand, Culture & Pre-Opening Excellence:

• Bring to life the spirit of Raffles through the restaurant concept, blending timeless elegance with the vibrant soul of Mediterranean cuisine.
• Support pre-opening initiatives including recruitment, onboarding, training programs, and the creation of bespoke service rituals.
• Contribute to the development of SOPs, guest journey mapping, and service choreography aligned with Raffles standards.
• Champion a culture of belonging, creativity, and excellence, where every team member contributes to making “special happen".
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure a seamless and elevated guest journey across all touchpoints.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and hygiene standards in line with local regulations and company policies.
• Conduct regular audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.
• Promote a safe working environment for colleagues and guests at all times.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Hospitality Management, Food & Beverage, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a luxury hotel or high-end restaurant, with exposure to Mediterranean cuisine preferred.
• Strong understanding of luxury service standards and guest engagement.
• Pre-opening experience is highly advantageous.

Competencies:

• Inspirational leadership with a passion for people development
• Deep appreciation for Mediterranean cuisine and cultural storytelling
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen
• Attention to detail with a commitment to excellence
• Emotional intelligence and ability to create meaningful guest connections

Additional Information

• Strong understanding of Raffles & Fairmont service culture and emotional luxury philosophy.
• A proactive and anticipatory approach to guest service, ensuring every moment is meaningful and memorable.
• Impeccable grooming and personal presentation aligned with ultra-luxury standards.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and public holidays.