General Manager Lebanese Restaurant

About Addmind

Addmind is a privately owned hospitality group and the leading food and beverage management and concept creation company in the Middle East, with a growing international portfolio of restaurants, bars and lounges, beach clubs, nightlife venues, and hotels.

We are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead the overall operations and performance of BE BABEL Dubai. The ideal candidate must have proven experience in a senior management role within premium Lebanese, Levantine, or Middle Eastern restaurants, with a strong track record in operational leadership, team development, guest experience, and commercial performance. The successful candidate must have native-level Arabic language skills and a strong understanding of Lebanese and Levantine hospitality, dining culture, and clientele, together with excellent English communication skills. They should be a hands-on and commercially driven leader with the ability to manage a complex restaurant operation, develop high-performing teams, and consistently deliver exceptional service standards. This role requires strong financial awareness, strategic thinking, operational decision-making, and the ability to create an environment where both guests and employees feel valued and engaged.

About Be Babel

Be Babel is a modern Lebanese dining concept bringing the heritage and flavours of Lebanon to Dubai. Located at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah, BeBabel offers progressive Lebanese cuisine in a stylish, contemporary setting, combining exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a vibrant beachfront atmosphere. The concept is an evolution of the renowned Babel brand, offering a more casual-chic and approachable dining experience while maintaining the quality and character of Lebanese cuisine.

Position Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Operations & Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of BE BABEL, ensuring consistently high standards across all departments.
• Maintain and continuously improve operating, service, quality, and brand standards across the restaurant.
• Ensure all operational procedures, internal controls, and audit requirements are consistently followed.
• Take a visible and hands-on leadership role within the restaurant, particularly during peak service periods.
• Ensure the restaurant is fully prepared for daily operations, special events, VIP visits, and high-volume periods.
• Drive operational efficiency while maintaining the quality and standards expected of a premium dining destination.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, service delivery, and overall operational performance.
• Stay informed of market developments, industry trends, and competitor activity to identify opportunities for business growth.
  
  

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Ensure every guest receives an exceptional, personalised, and memorable experience.
• Maintain a strong presence on the floor and actively engage with guests, VIPs, and key clientele.
• Ensure service standards, food quality, presentation, ambience, and overall guest experience consistently meet expectations.
• Monitor guest feedback and ensure complaints and service issues are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Build strong relationships with returning guests, VIPs, key accounts, and other important stakeholders.
• Create a guest-first culture across the restaurant and ensure the management team consistently leads by example.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the guest journey and increase guest satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business.
  
  

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Take overall responsibility for the restaurant's commercial performance and achievement of agreed financial targets.
• Monitor sales, revenue, profitability, labour costs, food and beverage costs, stock, wastage, and GP performance.
• Manage and control departmental expenditure within agreed budgets.
• Analyse financial and operational performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Work closely with the Operations Director and senior management to develop strategies to maximise revenue and profitability.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales, average spend, guest frequency, and overall commercial performance.
• Monitor actual performance against budgets, forecasts, and agreed business targets.
• Support the development and execution of events, marketing initiatives, partnerships, and other revenue-generating opportunities.
  
  

Strategy & Business Development

• Collaborate with the Operations Director to develop and implement operational strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Translate business strategies into clear operational plans and ensure effective execution by the management team.
• Monitor and report on operational performance, business opportunities, challenges, and development plans.
• Conduct regular competitor analysis and maintain a strong understanding of BE BABEL's position within the Dubai dining market.
• Identify opportunities for business improvement, innovation, and change.
• Work closely with internal departments to ensure operational objectives and priorities are clearly understood and delivered.
• Contribute to projects and initiatives designed to support the continued growth and development of the venue.
  
  

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop the management team and wider restaurant team.
• Develop a strong culture of accountability, ownership, teamwork, and excellence.
• Support the recruitment and selection of key team members and Department Heads.
• Identify training and development opportunities and support the professional growth of employees.
• Monitor staffing levels, payroll, and labour costs to ensure appropriate manning in line with operational requirements.
• Review staff rosters and ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained across all operating periods.
• Provide guidance and support on performance management, disciplinary, and grievance matters.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives and foster a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Build a strong succession pipeline and develop future leaders within the business.
  
  

Reporting & Business Analysis

• Prepare and present regular operational and financial updates to the Operations Director and Company Directors.
• Monitor and report on sales and financial targets, including actual versus forecast performance.
• Provide regular updates on staffing, manning, recruitment, promotions, and employee-related matters.
• Report on stock, GP, wastage, maintenance, and other key operational indicators.
• Monitor and report on marketing, PR initiatives, events, and commercial activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of operational issues, opportunities, and development plans.
• Use business and operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring improvement.
  
  

Hygiene, Safety & Security

• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, food safety, hygiene, and security standards.
• Ensure all employees follow personal and workplace hygiene procedures consistently.
• Ensure first aid and emergency procedures are communicated, understood, and followed.
• Identify and address hazardous situations promptly to maintain a safe environment for guests and employees.
• Ensure security procedures are effectively communicated and implemented to minimise risk and prevent incidents.
• Ensure the restaurant, facilities, equipment, and working environment are maintained to the required standards.
• Oversee the maintenance of restaurant equipment and ensure any issues are addressed promptly.
  
  

Requirements

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in a similar General Manager, Restaurant General Manager, or senior F&B leadership role, with proven experience within premium Lebanese, Levantine, or Middle Eastern restaurants.
• Native-level Arabic speaker with strong familiarity with Lebanese and Levantine culture, hospitality, dining concepts, and clientele.
• Proven experience managing the overall operations of a high-volume or premium restaurant.
• Strong track record in managing commercial performance, budgets, labour costs, stock, GP, and operational KPIs.
• Proven experience leading, developing, and motivating large and diverse hospitality teams.
• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, service standards, guest experience, and F&B best practices.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and POS systems.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse business performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organisational, and decision-making skills.
• Fluent English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• UAE/Dubai hospitality experience is preferred.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, public holidays, and extended hours as required by the business.
• Must be currently based in Dubai.
  
  

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work with one of the region's leading hospitality and lifestyle groups.
• Dynamic, collaborative, and multicultural work environment.
• Exposure to high-profile brands, venues, and events across the MENA region.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities.
  
  

Join Us

If you are a driven and commercially focused hospitality leader with a passion for exceptional Lebanese dining experiences, team development, and premium restaurant operations, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and become part of the Addmind journey.

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