This is a wonderful opportunity to join Dunluce Lodge, one of the most exciting luxury hotel openings in Northern Ireland in recent years. Set in an exceptional location overlooking Royal Portrush, the hotel has quickly established itself as a leading five-star destination, welcoming a diverse range of guests and clients from across Ireland and around the world.
As Restaurant Manager, you will play an integral role in the continued evolution of the hotel’s dining experience, leading a talented team and helping to create memorable moments for every guest. You will also have the opportunity to work with outstanding wine and Champagne houses, including Bollinger and Pétrus, while collaborating closely with our culinary and beverage teams. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional to shape the future of a growing luxury hotel and build something truly special. The successful individual will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of the hotel's dining experiences, ensuring every guest receives exceptional, personalised service synonymous with our five-star luxury brand.
You will oversee the operation of the main restaurant, private dining suites and the exclusive Wine Vault, delivering consistently outstanding food and beverage experiences while creating memorable moments for guests from around the world. Working closely with the Operations & Beverage Manager, Executive Chef and wider hotel leadership team, you will play a key role in developing innovative dining concepts, driving commercial performance and maintaining the highest standards of hospitality.
Key Responsibilities
Restaurant Operations
Lead the daily operation of the hotel's restaurant, ensuring exceptional service standards are consistently delivered.
Oversee the smooth operation of all private dining experiences, including bespoke events, celebrations and corporate dinners within the hotel's private dining suites.
Manage the delivery of exclusive Wine Vault experiences, ensuring every tasting dinner and wine event is executed flawlessly and exceeds guest expectations.
Ensure all dining environments are presented to the highest standards of cleanliness, ambience and luxury.
Actively manage service periods, providing visible leadership and supporting the team to deliver intuitive, personalised service.
Guest Experience
Create memorable dining experiences that reflect the unique character and luxury positioning of Dunluce Lodge.
Build strong relationships with guests, recognising returning visitors and anticipating individual preferences.
Professionally handle guest feedback, resolving concerns promptly while continually seeking opportunities to enhance the guest journey.
Collaborate with other departments to personalise special occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, proposals and VIP stays.
Leadership & People Management
Recruit, train, coach and inspire a high-performing front-of-house restaurant team.
Foster a positive, engaged and collaborative working environment where colleagues are encouraged to develop and excel.
Conduct regular performance reviews, training sessions and departmental briefings.
Ensure appropriate staffing levels through effective rota planning and labour management.
Lead by example, promoting a culture of professionalism, accountability and genuine hospitality.
Food & Beverage Collaboration
Work closely with the Executive Chef and culinary team to ensure seamless coordination between kitchen and restaurant operations.
Collaborate on seasonal menu launches, tasting experiences and new food concepts.
Partner with the Operations & Beverage Manager to develop innovative dining experiences, wine events and bespoke guest offerings that enhance the hotel's reputation.
Support wine pairing experiences and ensure service teams possess excellent food and beverage knowledge.
Commercial Performance
Deliver departmental financial objectives including revenue growth, payroll management and cost control.
Maximise restaurant profitability through effective reservation management, upselling and premium guest experiences.
Monitor key performance indicators including guest satisfaction, mystery guest results and departmental profitability.
Identify opportunities to increase average spend while maintaining exceptional guest satisfaction.
Standards & Compliance
Ensure compliance with all food safety, licensing, health & safety and company policies.
Maintain exceptional standards of hygiene, presentation and service delivery.
Support hotel quality assurance programmes, luxury brand standards and external inspections.
Promote continuous improvement through regular service reviews and team development.
Skills & Experience
Essential
Previous experience managing a high-quality restaurant within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment.
Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
Passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences.
Strong food and beverage knowledge, including wines and luxury service standards.
Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and labour costs.
Ability to remain calm and decisive in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable
Experience managing private dining and exclusive event experiences.
WSET qualification or strong wine knowledge.
Experience within five-star luxury hospitality.
Knowledge of restaurant reservation systems and hotel property management systems.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
A genuine passion for luxury hospitality.
Outstanding attention to detail.
Warm, engaging and professional leadership.
A collaborative approach with colleagues across all departments.
Creativity in developing memorable guest experiences.
High personal standards and a commitment to excellence.
Flexibility and resilience within a dynamic hospitality environment.
Why Join Dunluce Lodge?
Dunluce Lodge offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of Northern Ireland's most prestigious luxury hotels. Situated beside Royal Portrush Golf Club and recognised internationally for exceptional hospitality, our team is committed to creating unforgettable guest experiences through genuine warmth, meticulous attention to detail and world-class service.
This role offers the opportunity to shape exceptional dining experiences across our restaurant, private dining suites and exclusive Wine Vault while working alongside an outstanding culinary and hospitality team dedicated to setting new standards in luxury hospitality.
