General Manager - Aera

Company Description

Located on the 38th floor of The Well, Aera is an upscale flagship restaurant featuring a cocktail bar, sushi counter, and luxuriously appointed dining room and rooftop terrace overlooking the city. Paying homage to 21st century American cooking, the menu highlights a seasonal raw bar, a handsome selection of steaks and chops, and inventive twists on classic comfort food. With the goal of giving each and every guest a truly memorable dining experience, our team is passionate about providing polished, attentive, and intuitive hospitality at every turn. 

What's in it for you:

• Shared gratuities 
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal day
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, including enhanced mental health coverage
• Dining allowance & clothing allowance
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Group life and disability insurance 
• 50% dining discount at all O&B restaurants for you and up to three guests
• RRSP matching
• Employee Referral Program
• Professional Development Fund
• Join one of Canada’s leading hospitality companies, where a wide range of exciting internal career opportunities await!

Job Description

As the General Manager at Aera, you'll lead a high-performing team to deliver exceptional guest experiences all year round. You’ll oversee all aspects of daily operations, from elevated service and a world-class beverage program to creating a vibrant late-night lounge atmosphere that encourages guests to linger, celebrate, and return. While driving operational performance, revenue growth, and brand presence, you will play a key role in shaping memorable experiences, inspiring your team, and contributing to the success of a dynamic, industry-leading hospitality destination.

The Day to Day:

• Manage and oversee daily operations, ensuring seamless service execution across the dining room, bar, and lounge environments while maintaining the elevated standards expected of an O&B flagship property.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of all food and beverage menus, championing a refined dining experience alongside a best-in-class cocktail and beverage program that encourages guests to extend their evening.
• Partner with the management team to plan, curate, and execute a dynamic calendar of live entertainment and special events that drive guest engagement and brand presence.
• Collaborate with marketing and leadership teams to contribute creative ideas and initiatives that support brand awareness, guest acquisition, and ongoing promotion of the concept.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with guests, team members and senior leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and exceptional service, consistent with O&B values and service philosophy.
• Lead, inspire, and develop the management and front-line teams to consistently exceed service expectations and performance standards, while upholding O&B operational and leadership standards.
• Oversee financial and operational reporting including sales performance, payroll, scheduling, inventory control, and labour management, ensuring accurate reporting and alignment with senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, security, and licensing requirements, maintaining a safe, professional, and high-performing environment for guests and staff.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement, revenue growth, and cost efficiencies while maintaining premium guest experience standards.

Qualifications

• Progressive senior management experience within the hospitality industry, ideally in premium, high-volume restaurants recognized for both exceptional dining and a vibrant social atmosphere.
• In-depth knowledge of hospitality operations, elevated service standards, and guest experience design within refined dining and vibrant bar and lounge environments.
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage operations, including wine, spirits, cocktail programs, and beverage cost controls; WSET or equivalent beverage education considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong, visible leadership in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, with experience motivating, coaching, and developing large teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with guests, staff, partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, labour planning, and revenue optimization.
• Proven operational planning and execution skills across service, events, and high-volume guest flow.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to manage complex guest situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintains awareness of industry trends, guest preferences, and the competitive landscape to deliver distinctive and engaging guest experiences.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and peak operating periods.
• Legally eligible to work in Canada.

Additional Information

This is an existing role with a current vacancy.

Salary: $80,000 - $100,000 base (plus gratuities) 

AI Disclosure
To ensure a fair and efficient recruitment process, some aspects of candidate screening may be conducted using AI software. All assessments and outcomes are reviewed by our hiring team to provide thoughtful, personalized consideration. We are committed to transparency and respect, ensuring a welcoming experience for every candidate.

Accessibility & Accommodation
Oliver & Bonacini is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require accommodation or support during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure your needs are met in a respectful and timely manner.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We value and embrace diversity in all forms and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Our recruitment practices are designed to ensure fairness, equity, and opportunity for every candidate.