Restaurant General Manager - Premium French Restaurant

Our client, a Riyadh-based hospitality investment group, is seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead a premium, chef-led French restaurant in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the senior leadership role on site, with full ownership of the guest experience, operations, team and financial performance.

The restaurant is the Riyadh home of an internationally recognised all-day French dining brand, with established restaurants in Dubai and London. The role offers the chance to set the standard for the brand in one of the most dynamic dining markets in the region, with a strong tax-free package and family sponsorship.

Reporting to the Operations Director and ownership, the General Manager leads the Assistant General Manager, Restaurant Managers, beverage and guest relations teams, and partners closely with the Head Chef. We are looking for a hands-on, guest-facing leader who leads from the floor, is commercially sharp, and can deliver revenue, margin and EBITDA targets without compromising a premium experience.

Responsibilities

• Set and uphold service standards across every touchpoint, from reservation to departure.
• Lead from the floor during service, personally engaging with guests, VIPs and regulars.
• Own guest feedback and complaint resolution, track reviews and drive continuous improvement.
• Build relationships with key clientele, corporate accounts and the local hospitality community.
• Run day-to-day front-of-house and back-of-house operations in partnership with the Head Chef.
• Oversee reservations, seating strategy, private dining and events.
• Ensure full compliance with KSA regulations, including SFDA requirements, municipal licensing, health and safety, and labour law.
• Maintain the venue, equipment and systems, and manage maintenance and supplier contracts.
• Lead opening and closing procedures, cash handling and security controls.
• Deliver revenue, gross margin and EBITDA targets agreed with ownership.
• Manage labour cost, cost of goods and operating expenses against budget, and prepare weekly and monthly reports.
• Drive covers, average spend and repeat business through service, menu engineering with the Head Chef, and local marketing.
• Control purchasing, stock and wastage, and manage supplier relationships.
• Recruit, onboard, train and retain a high-performing team, and build succession for key roles.
• Set rotas and manage headcount to forecast covers.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching and disciplinary processes in line with company policy and Saudi labour law.
• Support Saudisation (Nitaqat) targets and develop local talent.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive culture across a multinational team.
• Protect and represent the brand in Riyadh, and work with the marketing team on launches, activations, social media and PR.
• Identify partnership, event and private-dining opportunities to grow revenue.

• Minimum 8 years in restaurant operations, with at least 3 years as General Manager of a premium or fine-dining restaurant.
• Proven P&L ownership of a venue with annual revenue of SAR 20 million or more, or equivalent.
• GCC experience strongly preferred; Saudi Arabia experience an advantage.
• A track record in a high-volume, high-expectation environment with VIP and corporate clientele.
• Pre-opening or relaunch experience an advantage.
• Strong financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, cost control and reporting.
• Working knowledge of KSA hospitality regulation, licensing and labour law, including Saudisation requirements.
• Fluent English and French, written and spoken; Arabic an advantage.
• A hands-on, calm and culturally aware leader who builds loyal teams and develops people.
• Must hold the right to work in Saudi Arabia, or be eligible to obtain it with the client's support.

• Salary: SAR 35,000 to 45,000 per month total package, tax-free, depending on experience.
• Performance bonus.
• Duty meal on shift.
• Uniform provided.
• Housing and transport allowances included, medical insurance, service charge eligibility, visa sponsorship, family visas and annual flights for the family.
• Further benefits to be confirmed during the recruitment process.This is a full-time, permanent position working six days per week, including evenings, weekends and public holidays as required. The General Manager reports to the Operations Director and ownership, with a target start date of 1 January 2027.

The role is based in Riyadh. Candidates must hold the right to work in Saudi Arabia, or be eligible to obtain it; the client will sponsor the work visa for the successful applicant.

We appreciate your interest in this vacancy. Due to the high number of applications we receive, only candidates selected to move to the next stage of the recruitment process can be contacted. Radiant does not charge any fee to candidates; all costs are always covered by the client.