FOH Restaurant Manager | Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

Busboys and Poets is seeking an ambitious, hardworking, people-centric individual with proven experience managing across departments as a Front-of-House Manager. In this fast-paced, dynamic work environment, you will deliver training to our diverse staff, as well as managing the overall operation and being an expert in guest relations. The person in this role will represent Busboys and Poets values, including integrity and open and honest communication. If this sounds like the role for you, please consider applying to be a Restaurant Manager at one of our 8 locations in the DMV (DC, MD and VA).

This role focuses on supervising and developing team members, ensuring proper scheduling and shift coverage, maintaining service quality and cleanliness, and resolving guest concerns in real time. The Front-of-House Manager is expected to perform under pressure, adapt to business needs, and uphold Busboys and Poets standards while delivering culture-driven hospitality.

• Maintain strong floor presence during peak hours

• Engage with guests to ensure a high-quality dining experience (table touches)

• Resolve guest concerns with urgency, professionalism, and ownership

• Turn service challenges into positive guest outcomes

• Responsible for event setup, execution, and directing staff in coordination with the events team to ensure smooth and successful operations

• Model professionalism, accountability, and emotional intelligence

• Foster a positive, respectful, and high-performing team culture

• Upholds company policies including attendance, dress code, and service standards

• Hold team members accountable while maintaining professionalism and respect

• Conducts hourly interviews for new applicants 

• Supports training of the new hires 

• Supervise, coach, and develop hourly team members across departments

• Provide real-time coaching, feedback and structured follow-up to improve performance

• Serve as the lead in monitoring compliance with health and fire safety regulations

• Follow proper cash handling and operational procedures

• Ensures all safety, security, and emergency procedures are followed, including proper opening/closing protocols, cash handling, and incident response. 

• Conducting and attending staff meetings, such as preshifts (daily) and manager meetings (weekly)
• Working closely with fellow Managers and the General Manager to ensure effective business operations, staying later or coming earlier, at times.
• Investigating and resolving guest complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations in a polite, friendly manner and while delivering excellent customer service
• Understanding and coaching on all software, including payroll, POS, waitlist, accounting, scheduling, etc.
• Managing one or more department schedules, as needed
• Arranging for equipment maintenance and repairs, and coordinating services such as waste removal and pest control and order and purchase equipment and supplies
• Coordinating with Kitchen Managers to ensure standards are being maintained for cleanliness, sanitation and safety
• Helping with duties of other employees (i.e. host, busser, server, cook, etc.) when necessary because of an unexpected absence or extra volume
• Maintaining a working knowledge of all menu items, products and production procedures
• Performing some food preparation or service tasks such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks, when necessary
• Performing other work-related duties as assigned

• 2+ years of restaurant leadership experience in a high-volume environment

• Proven ability to lead teams and communication skills to train and motivate employees

• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Strong time management skills, flexibility to adapt to business needs, and a high level of accuracy in handling a variety of responsibilities.

• High school diploma, GED certificate, or demonstration of sufficient reading and math skills to read manuals and prepare computer reports as required; hospitality and restaurant management certification or college degree preferred

Must maintain open availability, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

• Strong technical aptitude and computer skills (e.g., Web-based applications, Mobile applications, Excel, Word)

Demonstrates the ability and commitment to consistently meet deadlines, even in high-volume, fast-paced environments. Required to maintain current licenses (Food Safety, ABRA/ABC, ServSafe, Alcohol Awareness) or successfully obtain all required licenses for the jurisdiction of employment within 30 days of hire. 

• Must have reliable transportation.

FOH Restaurant Manager | Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

Busboys and Poets is seeking an ambitious, hardworking, people-centric individual with proven experience managing across departments as a Front-of-House Manager. In this fast-paced, dynamic work environment, you will deliver training to our diverse staff, as well as managing the overall operation and being an expert in guest relations. The person in this role will represent Busboys and Poets values, including integrity and open and honest communication. If this sounds like the role for you, please consider applying to be a Restaurant Manager at one of our 8 locations in the DMV (DC, MD and VA).

This role focuses on supervising and developing team members, ensuring proper scheduling and shift coverage, maintaining service quality and cleanliness, and resolving guest concerns in real time. The Front-of-House Manager is expected to perform under pressure, adapt to business needs, and uphold Busboys and Poets standards while delivering culture-driven hospitality.

• Maintain strong floor presence during peak hours

• Engage with guests to ensure a high-quality dining experience (table touches)

• Resolve guest concerns with urgency, professionalism, and ownership

• Turn service challenges into positive guest outcomes

• Responsible for event setup, execution, and directing staff in coordination with the events team to ensure smooth and successful operations

• Model professionalism, accountability, and emotional intelligence

• Foster a positive, respectful, and high-performing team culture

• Upholds company policies including attendance, dress code, and service standards

• Hold team members accountable while maintaining professionalism and respect

• Conducts hourly interviews for new applicants 

• Supports training of the new hires 

• Supervise, coach, and develop hourly team members across departments

• Provide real-time coaching, feedback and structured follow-up to improve performance

• Serve as the lead in monitoring compliance with health and fire safety regulations

• Follow proper cash handling and operational procedures

• Ensures all safety, security, and emergency procedures are followed, including proper opening/closing protocols, cash handling, and incident response. 

• Conducting and attending staff meetings, such as preshifts (daily) and manager meetings (weekly)
• Working closely with fellow Managers and the General Manager to ensure effective business operations, staying later or coming earlier, at times.
• Investigating and resolving guest complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations in a polite, friendly manner and while delivering excellent customer service
• Understanding and coaching on all software, including payroll, POS, waitlist, accounting, scheduling, etc.
• Managing one or more department schedules, as needed
• Arranging for equipment maintenance and repairs, and coordinating services such as waste removal and pest control and order and purchase equipment and supplies
• Coordinating with Kitchen Managers to ensure standards are being maintained for cleanliness, sanitation and safety
• Helping with duties of other employees (i.e. host, busser, server, cook, etc.) when necessary because of an unexpected absence or extra volume
• Maintaining a working knowledge of all menu items, products and production procedures
• Performing some food preparation or service tasks such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks, when necessary
• Performing other work-related duties as assigned

• 2+ years of restaurant leadership experience in a high-volume environment

• Proven ability to lead teams and communication skills to train and motivate employees

• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Strong time management skills, flexibility to adapt to business needs, and a high level of accuracy in handling a variety of responsibilities.

• High school diploma, GED certificate, or demonstration of sufficient reading and math skills to read manuals and prepare computer reports as required; hospitality and restaurant management certification or college degree preferred

Must maintain open availability, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

• Strong technical aptitude and computer skills (e.g., Web-based applications, Mobile applications, Excel, Word)

Demonstrates the ability and commitment to consistently meet deadlines, even in high-volume, fast-paced environments. Required to maintain current licenses (Food Safety, ABRA/ABC, ServSafe, Alcohol Awareness) or successfully obtain all required licenses for the jurisdiction of employment within 30 days of hire. 

• Must have reliable transportation.