General Manager

About Aretha Aretha is a vibrant, high-energy festive dining destination where exceptional food, entertainment and nightlife come together to create an unforgettable guest experience. With a live show every evening followed by a DJ set, Aretha offers a dynamic atmosphere that evolves throughout the night, blending restaurant service with the energy of a premium nightlife destination. We are looking for an experienced and charismatic General Manager with a strong background in festive dining, entertainment-led restaurants or nightlife concepts. This individual must genuinely enjoy the energy, pace and demands of the festive hospitality industry and be passionate about creating memorable experiences that keep guests coming back. Previous experience in festive dining or nightlife is mandatory. We are looking for someone who has already operated in this environment and is eager to continue building their career in it. Key Responsibilities 1. Overall Venue Management Lead the overall operation of Aretha, ensuring excellence across restaurant service, entertainment, guest experience and nightlife operations. Oversee the full guest journey, from arrival and dinner service through the live show and DJ experience. Ensure seamless coordination between the front-of-house team, kitchen, bar, entertainment performers, DJs, security and technical teams. Maintain the highest standards of service, presentation, ambiance and operational execution throughout every service. Ensure full compliance with company policies, UAE regulations, licensing requirements and health and safety standards. 2. Festive Dining & Entertainment Experience Bring a strong understanding of festive dining and nightlife, knowing how to create and maintain the right energy throughout the evening. Ensure the nightly show and DJ programming are delivered seamlessly and integrated into the overall guest experience. Work closely with entertainment and technical teams to ensure smooth transitions between dinner, live performances and DJ sets. Maintain a vibrant atmosphere while ensuring service quality, guest comfort and operational control. Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the concept, elevate the entertainment offering and strengthen Aretha’s positioning in the market. 3. Guest Experience & Relationship Management Deliver an exceptional and memorable guest experience aligned with Aretha’s positioning. Build strong relationships with VIP guests, regular clientele, high-profile visitors and key industry contacts. Oversee VIP reservations, special occasions, large parties and high-profile bookings. Handle guest feedback and complaints with professionalism, discretion and a solution-oriented approach. Develop a strong understanding of the target clientele and continuously identify opportunities to drive repeat visits and guest loyalty. 4. Commercial Performance & Business Development Take full ownership of the venue’s financial performance, including revenue, profitability, average spend and operational costs. Drive sales across food, beverage, premium experiences and VIP bookings. Monitor key performance indicators, including revenue per cover, average check, table turnover, beverage sales, labour cost and guest satisfaction. Develop and implement initiatives to maximise revenue, particularly during peak evening hours and high-demand periods. Control payroll, purchasing, inventory, wastage and other operating expenses without compromising the guest experience. Analyse business performance and implement action plans to achieve budget and commercial targets. 5. Leadership & Team Development Recruit, develop, motivate and retain a high-performing team capable of delivering a premium festive dining experience. Build a strong service culture based on energy, professionalism, accountability and attention to detail. Lead, coach and develop department heads and supervisors across all operational areas. Ensure adequate staffing levels and effective deployment of teams throughout the evening, including the transition from dining to entertainment. Establish clear performance expectations and ensure regular training, feedback and development. Foster a collaborative working environment between operations, kitchen, bar and entertainment teams. 6. Operational Excellence Ensure the venue is fully prepared for each service, with particular attention to reservations, floor plans, VIP arrangements, show schedules and technical readiness. Maintain effective communication and coordination between all departments before, during and after service. Monitor service flow, table management, pacing and guest engagement throughout the night. Ensure consistent execution of operating procedures and brand standards. Review operational challenges and implement practical solutions to improve efficiency and service delivery. Candidate Profile Essential Requirements Proven experience as a General Manager or senior operational leader within a festive dining restaurant, entertainment-led dining concept, premium nightlife venue or similar environment. A genuine passion for festive dining and nightlife, with a clear desire to continue working in this sector. Demonstrated experience managing high-energy evening operations, entertainment programming and DJ-led experiences. Strong commercial acumen, with a proven track record of achieving revenue and profitability targets. Excellent leadership skills, with experience managing large, diverse and fast-paced hospitality teams. Strong understanding of VIP guest management, reservations, table management and premium beverage sales. Ability to remain composed and make effective decisions in a high-pressure environment. Excellent communication, interpersonal and guest-relations skills. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, public holidays and peak trading periods, as required by the business. Show more Show less