Hospitality Operations Manager

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Reports to: General Manager

Department: Operations

The Lighthouse, part of Whalar Group, is a first-ever creative campus and studio playground for the Creator Generation, offering Creators an I.R.L. platform to Learn, Make, and Belong. With Venice, CA already opened, and Brooklyn, NY opening in Fall 2025, and London/EMEA opening in 2026, the campuses are designed to empower and support career Creators and creative professionals, providing a dynamic environment explicitly tailored to their needs. Each campus features state-of-the-art, mixed-use content studios, and hosts impactful programming that empowers members to collaborate, learn, and grow their businesses within a thriving community. 

The Lighthouse expands opportunities and creative capabilities, offering Creators a dedicated space to co-create, connect, and lead the businesses shaping creative culture. Learn more: www.thelighthouse.com.

About the role:

We're looking for a dynamic and hands-on Hospitality Operations Manager to be the heart and soul of our membership hospitality experience. This role is a perfect fit for a hospitality professional with a passion for creating exceptional environments and a deep understanding of what makes a great member experience.

You will be the primary owner of the full hospitality offering, from the moment members and guests walk in the door to the small details that make their day better. This includes overseeing our cafe and bar programs, ensuring they're a key driver of our community and social events. You'll be a senior member of the overall operations team, working closely with staff to elevate the member experience across all touchpoints.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• Elevate the Member Experience: Take full ownership of the hospitality experience for our members and guests. You'll work with your team to ensure a seamless and welcoming experience from the reception desk to the lounge areas. This includes managing daily operations, setting high standards for service, and proactively seeking opportunities to improve the member journey.
• Oversee Cafe and Bar Operations: Provide strategic and managerial oversight of our cafe and bar programs. This includes guiding the development of our beverage menus, managing inventory and ordering, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. You'll ensure these programs operate efficiently and act as vibrant hubs for our community.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the day-to-day operations of our entire front-of-house, including the reception, member lounge areas, and our cafe and bar. You will create and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations and maintain our high standards of service.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship: Lead and mentor a small, dedicated team in hiring, training, and scheduling. You will act as an escalation point for team members, quickly and effectively resolving challenges across departments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Events, Studio, and Programming teams to ensure seamless execution of events. You'll integrate hospitality services and member experience into all activities, ensuring smooth operations across all departments.
• Financial & Administrative Management: Monitor and manage the budgets for all front-of-house operations to ensure cost-effectiveness while aligning with operational goals. You will also ensure compliance with labor laws to foster a fair workplace.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Experience: 2-4 years of experience in a high-end hospitality environment, such as a boutique hotel or a high-end coworking space. Experience managing both a front-of-house team and food & beverage programs is highly preferred.
• Leadership Skills: A natural leader who can inspire and motivate a small team. You should be hands-on, proactive, and ready to jump in wherever needed to support the team and our members.
• A "Hospitality-First" Mindset: You're passionate about creating exceptional environments and view hospitality as a key driver of community. You have a knack for creating memorable experiences through genuine service and attention to detail.
• Problem-Solving: You're a quick thinker who can handle issues with grace and effectiveness, ensuring minimal disruption to the member experience.
• Collaboration: You have a collaborative mindset and are excited to work across departments to bring a cohesive vision to life.
• Tech Savvy: Comfortable using point-of-sale (POS) systems and other operational software.

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $110,000 and serves as a general guideline reflecting the potential compensation for the role. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the candidate's experience, expertise, alignment with the position's requirements, and, ultimately budget approvals.

Physical Requirements:

• Commitment to collaboration and innovation, believing in the power of the collective to spark creativity.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, quickly addressing challenges to ensure smooth operations.
• Inclusive leadership, ensuring that all voices within our team are heard, valued, and supported.
• Creativity and curiosity, continually driving improvements to the member experience.
• Hands-on leadership style, ready to step in and support your team at any level when needed.
• Be a good person.

Our values:

At The Lighthouse, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. 

The Lighthouse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.

The Perks:

Whalar Group provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments and experiences so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• Medical, dental, and vision
• HSA + FSA
• Commuter benefits
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Voluntary hospital and critical illness insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• PTO + Sick time
• 401k: up to 4% matching