General Manager at La Rive Gauche San Jose LLC – San Jose, California

Left Bank Santana Row is seeking a dynamic General Manager to lead one of the Bay Area’s premier fine-dining restaurants.

The ideal candidate is a positive, forward-thinking problem solver, a community champion, and a passionate food and wine enthusiast who energizes teams, delivers memorable guest experiences, and leads with intelligence, care, and a commitment to excellence.

• Lead the Team: Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing staff committed to excellence and hospitality.
  
  
• Deliver Operational Excellence: Oversee daily operations, ensuring precision in service, food quality, financial performance, and compliance.
  
  
• Drive Sales and Profit: Actively promote the restaurant, engage with the local community, and drive top-line revenue while managing costs.
  
  
• Champion the Guest Experience: Elevate every touchpoint by fostering a culture of service, quality, and continuous improvement.
  
  
• Foster Community Connections: Serve as a brand champion, forging partnerships, participating in local events, and positioning the restaurant at the heart of the community.
  
  
• Promote Culinary and Beverage Excellence: Partner with the culinary and beverage teams to maintain the highest standards and showcase an outstanding food and wine program.
  
  
• Solve Problems Proactively: Identify challenges early, implement practical solutions, and maintain a calm, productive work environment.

• 5+ years of leadership experience in high-end, high-volume restaurants.
  
  
• Track record of building strong teams, improving performance, and achieving sales and operational goals.
  
  
• True passion for food, wine, hospitality, and creating memorable guest experiences.
  
  
• High emotional intelligence, professionalism, and a positive, hands-on leadership style.
  
  
• Brings a strong ownership mentality with a focus on driving key performance metrics, achieving financial targets, and continuously improving operations.
  
  
• Commitment to being an active presence on the floor and a recognizable leader within the local community.
  
  
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma required.
  
  

• Full-time leadership role, requiring flexibility across evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
  
  
• Majority of time spent in-restaurant, leading by example and engaging with guests and team members.
  
  
• Occasional lifting (up to 40 pounds) and ability to navigate a fast-paced, active restaurant environment.

This is a full-time, exempt leadership role offering a competitive base salary range of $135,000 - $150,000, performance-based bonus opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Beyond compensation, this is a rare opportunity to lead a celebrated restaurant, leave your mark on a high-end hospitality brand, and become a valued part of the local community. Our ideal candidate is passionate about the process - not just the outcome. They find energy in the details, bring structure to complexity, and see iteration as the path to excellence.