Assistant General Manager Authentic French Bistro Columbus

Job Description

Assistant General Manager

Location: Columbus, OH

Relocation Assistance: Available

Compensation: $80,000-$90,000 + benefits

Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, exempt

Reports To: General Manager

About the Opportunity

An authentic French bistro and wine bar in a historic downtown Columbus building is seeking an Assistant General Manager to support daily operations and the guest experience. The restaurant is the only US establishment certified by the French Association of Master Restaurateurs — one of just 22 holders of that distinction worldwide — and is part of a respected national hospitality group. We're looking for a polished, hospitality-driven leader ready to be the GM's right hand and a clear successor in the making.

Position Summary

The Assistant General Manager partners with the GM to run the floor, develop the team, and protect the standard on every shift. This is a hands-on, floor-forward role: the AGM is expected to lead service, train and coach the FOH team, and own meaningful pieces of the business — scheduling, training, beverage support, or events — depending on background. The AGM steps in as the senior leader on the floor when the GM is off, and partners closely with the Executive Chef and beverage team to ensure food, wine, and service move as one program.

Key Responsibilities

Hospitality & Guest Experience

Lead service shifts: pre-shift meetings, floor flow, table touches, and recovery

Build genuine relationships with regulars and VIPs; handle service issues with grace and authority

Champion the bistro's culture of warm, knowledgeable, unpretentious French hospitality

Uphold the service standards required by the restaurant's international certification

Floor Operations

Run the door, the floor, and the bar pass during service; balance covers with quality of experience

Manage reservations, OpenTable, and seating strategy to maximize the room

Ensure the dining room, bar, and public areas are immaculate, on-brand, and properly maintained

Coordinate with the kitchen on pacing, 86s, specials, and VIP attention

Team Leadership & Development

Partner with the GM on hiring, onboarding, and training FOH staff — servers, bartenders, hosts, and support

Lead service training, menu and wine education, and steps-of-service reinforcement

Conduct one-on-ones, in-the-moment coaching, and performance feedback

Build a respectful, professional team culture — high standards, no drama

Financial & Administrative Support

Support the GM on scheduling, labor management, and daily/weekly reporting

Approve invoices, oversee cash handling, and ensure accurate end-of-night reconciliation

Help manage controllables — labor, beverage cost, supplies — to budgeted targets

Step in as the senior on-site leader during the GM's days off and vacations

Beverage Program Support

Partner with the sommelier and beverage team on wine list execution, by-the-glass rotations, and staff education

Support cocktail program execution, bar standards, and inventory accuracy

Lead or co-lead pre-shift wine and cocktail tastings

Events & Programming

Help execute wine dinners, cocktail classes, private events, and seasonal happenings

Coordinate with the chef and ownership on event flow, staffing, and guest experience

Support local partnership and community programming as needed

Compliance & Safety

Ensure full compliance with Ohio liquor laws, food safety, and Franklin County health regulations

Maintain ServSafe and TIPS/responsible-service standards across the team

Support HR documentation, scheduling compliance, and workplace safety

What We're Looking For

3+ years of FOH leadership experience as an AGM, FOH Manager, Service Manager, or strong Lead Server / Head Bartender ready for the next step

Background in upscale-casual or fine-dining French, European, or independent concept preferred

Strong floor presence: warm, calm, and decisive in equal measure

Working financial acumen: comfortable with labor management, cost controls, and daily reporting

Solid wine knowledge; sommelier certification (CMS Level 1+, WSET 1+) a strong plus

Comfortable with reservation systems (OpenTable, SevenRooms), POS (Toast, Aloha, or similar), and scheduling tools

Track record of training and developing FOH talent

ServSafe Manager and TIPS certified (or able to obtain within 30 days)

Available evenings, weekends, holidays, and for special events

A genuine love of French food, wine, and hospitality

What We Offer

Base Salary: $80,000-$90,000 DOE

Paid time off

Health benefits package

Backing of an established hospitality group with growth opportunities across the portfolio

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Full-time