Vice President, SafeHouse Restaurants

SafeHouse Restaurants began as a refuge for thirsty and hungry spies in Milwaukee, WI in 1966 as a truly unique brand and experience. Over half a century it grew in size, notoriety and world acclaim. In 2015, Marcus Hotels & Resorts purchased the Milwaukee location and expanded the safe haven for espionage and merriment to Chicago by opening a new SafeHouse and EscapeHouse just a block off the Magnificent Mile. 

As part of the Milwaukee based Marcus Corporation, Marcus Hotels & Resorts offers a rich history of service, hospitality and “people pleasing people”. Today, Marcus Hotels & Resorts operates 3 independent, unique and successful restaurant concepts along with 20 hotels across the U.S., all well known for their character, style and dedication to upscale food and beverage services.

We seek an entrepreneurial brand champion to assume the role of Vice President, SafeHouse Restaurants. This leader will ensure strategic initiatives are aligned and executed for successful operations, financial goal achievement, conceptual direction and brand growth.

Our Vice President must be a hands on leader who can support and oversee the day-to-day operations of both locations, drive and direct P&L review, motivate SafeHouse associates and partner with corporate and Marketing support to guarantee a fun and successful completion of all missions.

Additional Essential Functions Include:

1. Develop and implement a model of operational excellence yielding the highest levels of guest satisfaction, brand identity and profit maximization.
2. Create a vision and strategic growth plan for SafeHouse Restaurants that aligns with the company’s overall objectives.
3. Partner at a strategic and operational level with Marketing team and restaurant associates to ensure brand awareness and effective tactics in place to increase revenues and market penetration.  
4. Act as inspirational and motivational leader that models the culture and brand, while applying a continuous improvement philosophy.
5. Present creative and market driven menu items and concepts to ensure the brand and operations are kept “fresh” and on the leading edge of industry standards, direction and trends.
6. Effectively recruit, hire, train and develop appropriate talent who will embrace the culture, brand and service delivery expectations.
7. Negotiate with vendors as needed to ensure consistency of product, service, pricing and presentation.
8. Provide inspiration, insight and direction to restaurant management and staff in a manner that creates an enthusiastic group of brand and company promoters.
9. Coordinate the development, implementation and interpretation of policies, operating procedures, training programs, directives, menus, service standards and other guidelines.
10. Interact effectively at all levels of the organization as well as with community and civic leaders as needed to drive brand initiatives and create positive partnerships.
11. Deliver on-site support and guidance to outlets as needed, to include working shifts, to better understand and assist in solving their operational challenges and opportunities.
12. Other duties as assigned.     

Position Requirements:

1.  Prior experience preferred in the successful creation and growth of a restaurant concept/brand
2. Minimum 8-10 years of progressive restaurant management experience as a successful entrepreneurial leader who delivers exceptional customer and associate experiences
3. Proven past success as a multi-location operator preferred
4. Thorough knowledge of leading edge F&B and industry trends
5. Strong business acumen with the ability to properly analyze financial statements and make corresponding accurate recommendations to drive future investment and profit
6. Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
7. Ability to solve analytical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
8. Skilled at identifying and driving possible partnerships with other market and industry leaders/stakeholders who can support restaurant brand identity and success
9. Ability to work independently and/or as a team in a fast paced, multi-task environment
10. Ability to work with basic systems and technology such as Microsoft Office products, point of sale systems, time clocks, etc.
11. Ability to travel between locations as needed by air, car and/or train