Restaurant Manager (Dinner Service)

SUMMARY:
Lead and manage the full dinner service operation from pre-service briefing to close of service

POSITION INFO:

Some hotels are places to sleep. Others are places to remember.

The President Hotel is the latter and we are looking for someone who knows the difference.

About The President Hotel

Standing proudly on the Atlantic Ocean coastline of Bantry Bay, with Lion's Head as its backdrop and the Sea Point Promenade at its feet, The President Hotel is one of Cape Town's most iconic and storied destinations. With a history that reaches back to 1766 - and famously reopened by Nelson Mandela himself in 1998, this is a hotel with soul, legacy, and a clear sense of where it is going.

Today, The President Hotel is on an intentional and exciting path toward luxury. We are elevating every guest touchpoint, our dining, our service culture, our spaces, and our people. This is not a hotel that is standing still. It is a hotel that is rising, and we need exceptional hospitality professionals to rise with us.

Our Values - What We Stand For

At The President Hotel, everything we do is guided by a set of values that are lived on the floor, not just printed in a handbook:

Warmth above all. We believe that genuine, personal hospitality is what separates a great hotel from a memorable one. Every guest - every time.

Locally rooted, globally inspired. We celebrate South African flavour, culture, and produce in everything we serve and create. Our locally inspired cuisine, our Stay Green sustainability ethos, and our deep connection to Cape Town are at the heart of who we are.

People are our greatest asset. We invest in our team. We develop talent intentionally. We promote on values, not just seniority. When you grow, the hotel grows.

Committed to excellence. We are on a path toward luxury and that means holding ourselves to a higher standard every single day, in every single interaction.

Pride in our purpose. We are Cape Town's Most Loved Hotel. That is not a marketing line, it is a responsibility we take seriously, and it starts with the people who wear our name.

The Role - Dinner Service Restaurant Manager

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

This is more than a management role. It is a stage. And we need someone who commands it with presence, precision, and genuine warmth, someone who understands that the difference between a good meal and an unforgettable one is almost always the person running the floor.

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.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum 3-5 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.

Relevant hospitality qualification - Hotel School diploma or equivalent preferred.

South African citizen or in possession of a valid South African work permit (essential).

Available to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required by the dinner service schedule.

Who We Are Looking For

Beyond the CV, we are looking for someone with genuine hospitality flowing through them. You are the kind of person who remembers names, notices the small things, and takes personal pride in a table set perfectly and a guest who leaves smiling. You lead by doing - calm under pressure, decisive in the moment, gracious always. You build your team up, not just manage them down. And you understand that at a hotel on a journey