Restaurant Manager - Mediterranean - Raffles The Red Sea

About Raffles & Fairmont The Red Sea

Raffles & Fairmont The Red Sea, located within the groundbreaking Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia, represents a visionary destination blending luxury, sustainability, and natural beauty. The development encompasses two nature-focused resorts, offering 361 elegantly designed rooms, 11 distinctive dining concepts—including an iconic overwater restaurant with breathtaking views of the Red Sea and mangroves—and a world-class spa. Raffles The Red Sea stands as a sanctuary of refined sophistication and timeless luxury, harmonizing Raffles’ legendary graciousness and personalized service with the pristine landscapes and sustainability ethos of Red Sea Global. This extraordinary property is designed to provide a curated haven for the world’s most discerning travelers, where every detail reflects a commitment to excellence and authenticity.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Restaurant Manager – Mediterranean to lead the culinary and service excellence of our Mediterranean restaurant at Raffles The Red Sea. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the daily operations, ensuring an unparalleled dining experience that embodies the rich heritage, vibrant flavors, and cultural authenticity of Mediterranean cuisine. Your leadership will be instrumental in curating a soulful and immersive journey for guests, where every interaction is infused with warmth, precision, and a deep commitment to the Raffles brand of luxury and personalization. This role demands a blend of operational acumen, guest-centric leadership, and a passion for Mediterranean culinary traditions, all while driving financial performance and fostering a culture of excellence among your team.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Supervision & Quality Assurance

• Lead Daily Operations: Oversee the seamless functioning of the Mediterranean restaurant, ensuring that service delivery aligns with Raffles’ uncompromising standards of excellence and reflects the restaurant’s unique identity.
• Culinary & Service Authenticity: Ensure the restaurant’s ambiance, presentation, and service flow authentically represent the diverse Mediterranean culinary heritage, blending elegance with cultural vibrancy.
• Quality & Compliance: Conduct daily briefings, inspections, and audits to maintain consistency in food quality, service rituals, cleanliness, and adherence to HACCP standards, local regulations, and Raffles operational policies.
• Inventory & Cost Management: Oversee inventory control, sourcing of authentic ingredients, and cost optimization strategies to minimize waste while maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

• Curate Memorable Experiences: Design and deliver a personalized, emotionally engaging dining journey that showcases the Mediterranean’s rich culinary heritage through storytelling, cultural insights, and bespoke service.
• Anticipate Guest Needs: Demonstrate intuitive service delivery, ensuring each guest interaction feels effortless, bespoke, and deeply memorable.
• Service Recovery & Feedback: Address guest concerns with empathy, discretion, and a proactive approach to turning challenges into opportunities for lasting positive impressions.
• Guest Relationships: Build meaningful connections with guests, recognizing preferences and fostering a sense of belonging that encourages repeat visits and loyalty.

Team Leadership & Development

• Inspire & Lead: Motivate and guide a team of Heartists®, cultivating a culture of passion, pride, and excellence in every aspect of service and culinary artistry.
• Training & Development: Coach team members on Mediterranean cuisine, service artistry, and personalized guest engagement, embedding Raffles’ service culture through continuous learning and role modeling.
• Talent Nurturing: Support talent development initiatives, succession planning, and the growth of future leaders within the Raffles family, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals.
• Professional Standards: Uphold high standards of grooming, professionalism, and emotional intelligence, fostering an environment where excellence is the norm.

Financial Performance & Commercial Focus

• Revenue Growth: Drive financial success through strategic upselling, promotions, and optimization of average check value, while closely monitoring revenue, labor costs, and cost of sales to meet budget targets.
• Financial Analysis: Prepare forecasts, analyze performance trends, and implement actionable plans to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
• Collaboration & Marketing: Partner with marketing and events teams to promote the Mediterranean restaurant through targeted campaigns, activations, and partnerships that elevate its visibility and appeal.
• Financial Compliance: Ensure accurate billing, cash handling, and adherence to financial procedures and corporate policies.

Brand, Culture & Pre-Opening Excellence

• Brand Stewardship: Bring the spirit of Raffles to life through the Mediterranean restaurant, blending timeless elegance with the vibrant soul of Mediterranean cuisine to create an unforgettable guest experience.
• Pre-Opening Leadership: Support pre-opening initiatives, including recruitment, onboarding, training programs, and the development of bespoke service rituals that set the foundation for operational excellence.
• Service Innovation: Contribute to the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guest journey mapping, and service choreography that align with Raffles’ global standards and elevate the dining experience.
• Culture of Excellence: Champion a workplace culture rooted in belonging, creativity, and excellence, where every team member is empowered to contribute to the creation of “magic” that defines the Raffles experience.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to guest service, operational efficiency, and brand consistency.

Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience in restaurant management, preferably within luxury or high-end dining environments.
• Deep knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine, culinary trends, and service standards.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• Exceptional guest service orientation with a focus on personalization and emotional engagement.
• Financial acumen, including budget management, cost control, and revenue optimization.
• Commitment to sustainability, quality, and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.

Why Join Raffles The Red Sea?

As a leader at Raffles The Red Sea, you will be part of a transformative project that redefines luxury hospitality in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. You will have the opportunity to shape the guest experience from the ground up, contribute to a culture of innovation and excellence, and grow your career within a globally recognized brand. This role offers a unique platform to make a lasting impact while enjoying the rewards of working in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment that values creativity, sustainability, and unparalleled service.