General Manager - Ajax Tavern

Company Description

Owned and operated by Aspen Hospitality, The Little Nell is Aspen's only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel and offers luxury services and unparalleled access to America's most famous mountain town. A Relais & Châteaux resort, the Nell is frequently recognized for its award-winning wine and culinary programs and dedicated service. The property boasts a variety of amenities, including two restaurants, three bars, a wine cellar and a speakeasy. The Little Nell is also home to the new The Nell Spa. During ski season, Nell guests have access to a slopeside ski concierge and numerous winter adventures. In summer months, guests enjoy lush gardens along with off-road adventures, stargazing, fly fishing and mountaintop yoga; plus, a pool, hot tub, and a newly renovated spa and health club. The Little Nell has been acknowledged with numerous awards including being named a Forbes Five-Star hotel since 1995, a AAA Five-Diamond hotel since 1991, a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner since 1997, recognition as one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants from Wine Enthusiast and frequently nominated for its Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation. The Nell will debut its first hotel outside of Aspen at Rockefeller Center in New York City in 2026. For more information, visit www.thelittlenell.com or follow @thelittlenell on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Job Description

Summary

The General Manager of Ajax Tavern is responsible for the successful operation of the outlet and will focus on innovation, maintaining financial profitability, high levels of service, excellent guest response, and special event management.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $85,000-$95,000. Actual pay will be dependent on budget and experience, all of our salaried roles are eligible for bonus.

Job Posting Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted until April 15, 2024.

Essential Job Functions

• Work with Ajax Tavern Restaurant Managers to recruit and retain restaurant staff

• Drive collaboration and teamwork with Restaurant Managers and staff

• Responsible for growth and mentoring of all managers and team members

• Communicate with Executive Chef concerning quality, presentation, timing and guest comments

• Hold weekly meetings with staff to communicate information and improve service and operational standards

• Will hold the management team and line staff accountable, according to service and hotel standards

• Ensures staffs appearance and conduct are impeccable

• Ensure on going service, food, wine and spirit training occurs and tests are administered

• Enforce restaurant standards (SOP's) procedures and policies on a daily basis

• Provides on the floor support and oversight to lunch and dinner meal periods based on volume levels

• Assist in maintenance and cleanliness of restaurant, bar and service areas

• Submit Alice alerts to get issues fixed and tracked immediately

• Anticipate and oversee China, Glass, Linen and Silver inventory and needs to ensure staff has sufficient supplies

• Manage Purchase orders and inventories for all supplies needed

• Maintain high level of guest satisfaction, makes immediate corrective action when guests' needs are not met

• Represent Ajax Tavern at Department head and F&B meetings

• Collaborate with Executive Chef and Management team to plan and execute special holidays and functions

• Ensure Resy is constantly updated to maximize covers and maintain regular communication with the reservations team

• Work with F&B Director to build the annual departmental budget

• Constantly monitor labor based on volume and use "Hotel Effectiveness" to ensure labor budget is consistent

• Supervise the care of equipment, minimizing waste, breakage and misuse

• Responsible for driving covers during all meal periods

• Responsible for managing entertainment within Ajax, such as DJ's, live acts and or events happening on property. Maintaining standards of entertainment acts, hours of operation, volume levels and conduct of entertainers

• Report to work in a neatly groomed and acceptable manner as outlined in the employee handbook and departmental rules. Set the tone and example for our service team

• Demonstrate working knowledge of safety and fire procedures

• Complete tasks and projects delegated by your Supervisor, assist other departments as business volumes and staff levels demand

• Assist in emergency and security procedures as directed by management and the established emergency plan

• Enforce and comply with all policies and procedures for the Food and Beverage Department, The Little Nell and Aspen One

Qualifications

• College preferred or hotel/restaurant training

• Three years of experience in fine dining establishment preferred

• Two years as General Manager or in similar role is preferred

• Five years combined Food & Beverage experience preferred

• Minimum of 6 years combination education/experience

• Professional appearance, setting the example of the highest grooming standard

• Extensive cocktail and wine knowledge

• Knowledge of food and cooking methods

• Ability to work well with people

• Strong organization and supervisory skills, superior multitasking abilities

Additional Information

Supervision Given and Received

Given: Exercises general supervision over Ajax Tavern Staff. Assigns a variety of routine tasks, sets general expectations of results expected within company's policies and procedures. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, interviewing, hiring, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Received: Works under general supervision of the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Receives continuing or individual assignments according to supervisor's directions and may perform routine tasks. Expectations of the quality, quantity and deadlines are clearly set. Instructions, advice and assistance available as needed. Work is reviewed on demand or during scheduled check-ins.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Ability to be on your feet, kneel and bend for extended periods of time

• Regularly work in adverse conditions and requiring the use of protective apparel/equipment to prevent exposure to the elements as well as an office environment and may be required to walk on slippery and uneven surfaces

• Must be able to lift, push or pull occasionally up to 50 lbs. individually or with assistance

Job Benefits

This position is categorized as a regular full-time position eligible for the following benefits:

Enrollment dates differ across the various programs.

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Programs

• Flexible Spending Account Programs

• Life Insurance Programs

• Paid Time Off Programs

• Paid Leave Programs

• 401(k) Savings Plan

• Employee Ski Pass and Dependent Ski Passes

• Other company perks

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. By accepting a position with Aspen Skiing Company, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. To request accommodation during the application and interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 970-300-7700.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Aspen Skiing Company / ASPENX / The Little Nell / Limelight Hotel is an equal opportunity employer.

For an overview of Aspen Skiing Company's benefits and other compensation visit www.aspensnowmass.com/employment/benefits-and-perks

As of March 11th 2022, Aspen Skiing Company, ASPENX, The Little Nell, and The Limelight Hotels will no longer require all active employees to be fully vaccinated in the workplace. Read more about our policies as it relates to employee safety here