Event & Restaurant Manager

Join Our Team at Olla Cocina as Event & Restaurant Manager!

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Olla Cocina is a contemporary Mexican restaurant serving food and drinks in a casual and festive environment. The cuisine and bar program draw inspiration from many regions across Mexico and use seasonal California ingredients for a fresh take on traditional favorites. Located in downtown San Jose's popular San Pedro Square, Olla is a slice of modern Mexico with a fun and shareable menu of traditional favorites, signature cocktails and local beers and wine on tap.

Lead with Vision, Create Memorable Experiences

At Olla Cocina, we're looking for a dynamic professional who can orchestrate exceptional dining experiences while building our events business. This is your opportunity to showcase your leadership skills and creativity in a role where no two days are the same.

The Role

As our Event & Restaurant Manager, you'll wear two important hats:

• Restaurant Operations Leader: Guide our service team to deliver outstanding hospitality
• Events Visionary: Build relationships with clients and transform their ideas into unforgettable events

You'll be the conductor who ensures both our restaurant guests and event 's clients experience the perfect harmony of exceptional food, service, and atmosphere.

What You'll Do

Restaurant Leadership:

• Direct and inspire our service team to create exceptional dining experiences
• Ensure seamless operations from reservation to farewell
• Anticipate guest needs and solve problems with grace and efficiency
• Lead pre-shift meetings that energize and inform the team
• Partner with kitchen staff to deliver cohesive dining experience

Event Management:

• Connect with clients to understand their vision and bring it to life
• Create detailed event plans that delight clients and guide our team
• Negotiate contracts and manage event logistics with confidence
• Ensure flawless execution from setup to breakdown
• Build relationships that generate repeat business

Team Development:

• Mentor and train staff to reach their full potential
• Create schedules that balance business needs with staff well-being
• Foster a collaborative culture where everyone can thrive
• Provide constructive feedback that helps your team grow

What Makes You a Great Fit

Must-Haves:

• 5 years of restaurant experience with at least 2 years in management
• Food handling certificate and alcohol awareness certification
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions quickly
• Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills
• Proficiency with restaurant technology and basic computer skills
• Minimum age of 21 to serve alcoholic beverages

Bonus Points For:

• Experience in both restaurant management and event planning
• Knowledge of Toast POS, OpenTable, and Triple Seat systems
• Spanish language skills
• CPR certification
• College education and guest relations training

Physical Requirements

This active role involves:

• Being on your feet for extended periods (up to 12 hours)
• Occasionally lifting items up to 40 pounds
• Working in various restaurant conditions (which can be hot, cold, wet, or noisy)
• Computer work for administrative tasks (up to 6-8 hours)

What We Offer

• Full-time non-exempt position with growth potential
• Opportunity to showcase both operational and creative talents
• Dynamic work environment with new challenges and opportunities
• Chance to create memorable experiences for our guests and event clients
• Supportive team environment where your ideas are valued

Ready to take your hospitality career to the next level? Join us at Olla Cocina where you'll help create exceptional dining experiences and memorable events every day.

Olema Cocina is a division of Palisades Hospitality, a Northern-California based bespoke hospitality management company that manages and develops a curated portfolio of 20 hotels and restaurants and provides industry-tailored financial, design and development consulting services. Palisades is committed to creating design-driven, dynamic spaces thoughtfully rooted in their locale and that leave a lasting impact on our guests and in their communities.

Palisades Hospitality offers the following benefits for eligible full-time employees:

Health: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts

Retirement: 401k Retirement savings program is available for all full and part time employees over the age of 18