Manager, Restaurant Operations and Events

This role leads the operations of Highwood Kitchen & Bar and the School's events portfolio, balancing commercial success with student learning. Reporting to the Associate Dean, the manager oversees service excellence, financial performance, and team development while engaging with guests and mentoring staff. The position drives business growth for events and ensures regulatory compliance, all within a live learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Highwood Kitchen & Bar and the School's events portfolio, delivering exceptional guest experiences while supporting student learning.
• Lead restaurant and event operations, ensuring service excellence, operational performance, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive the growth of the events portfolio through business development, client relationships, proposal development, and revenue-generating opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders to create authentic hospitality and event learning experiences.
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and frontline teams, fostering a culture of service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee budgets, labour utilization, financial performance, forecasting, and business planning for restaurant and event operations.
• Serve as a visible, hands-on leader, engaging with guests, mentoring employees, and supporting student success in a live learning environment.
• Champion operational excellence by identifying opportunities to improve service delivery, efficiency, and overall performance.

Requirements

• Diploma or degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Culinary Management, or a related discipline
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive hospitality leadership experience in restaurant and/or event operations
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering exceptional guest experiences
• Food Safe Certification or equivalent
• ProServe Certification

Nice to have

• WSET Level 2 Award in Wines or equivalent wine education
• Event Management certification
• First Aid certification

Benefits

• Defined Benefit pension through LAPP to help you retire with confidence
• Generous time off to pursue other passions and support your wellbeing
• SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits so you, and your family, are well supported
• Access to a Health Spending or Taxable Spending Account
• Benefits supporting mental health and access to Greenshield + for virtual therapy at a reduced rate
• Professional development opportunities through our Free Seat Program, tuition support, access to LinkedIn Learning and discounted Continuing Education & Professional Studies courses
• Excellent dining options on campus
• Free access to our fitness facilities and group fitness classes