About this position
ICARIA
FOR THE SOUL & BODY
Assistant General Manager (AGM)
Fine Dining | Eastern Mediterranean
La Jolla, California
Opening Winter 2027
ABOUT ICARIA
Icaria takes its name from the Greek island renowned for longevity, vitality, and purposeful living—one of the world's celebrated Blue Zones.
Opening this Winter in La Jolla, ICARIA is a fine dining destination inspired by the coastal cultures of Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Western Anatolia, and the Levant. Rooted in Eastern Mediterranean traditions and guided by seasonal California ingredients, ICARIA brings together exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, and genuine human connection to nourish both body and soul.
Every detail matters—from the fish brought ashore each morning to the warmth of the welcome at the door. We believe luxury is not formality, but care.
ICARIA is brought to life by the team behind Puesto and Marisi, a hospitality group of more than 800 passionate professionals dedicated to culinary excellence, thoughtful beverage programs, and unforgettable guest experiences.
This is a rare opportunity to help build a landmark restaurant from the ground up—shaping its culture, establishing its standards, and creating memorable experiences from day one.
ABOUT YOU
You are a hospitality leader who leads by example.
You bring confidence, humility, and a genuine passion for taking care of people. You understand that exceptional hospitality begins with an inspired, supported team and extends to every guest who walks through the door.
You thrive on the floor, connecting with guests, coaching team members, and ensuring every detail contributes to an extraordinary dining experience.
Organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented, you maintain high standards while creating an environment where people feel valued, empowered, and motivated to succeed.
Most importantly, you see a new restaurant opening as an opportunity to grow as a leader and help create something lasting.
WHAT YOU BRING
- 5+ years of restaurant management experience in chef-driven fine dining, upscale dining, luxury hospitality, or a comparable high-service environment
- Proven success leading teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences
- Strong understanding of restaurant operations, including labor, scheduling, cost controls, and financial performance
- Experience recruiting, training, coaching, and developing team members and emerging leaders
- Strong food and beverage knowledge, including wine, spirits, and craft cocktails; Eastern Mediterranean wine knowledge is a plus
- Restaurant opening or new concept launch experience preferred
- Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and composure under pressure
- Familiarity with TOAST, OpenTable, TripleSeat, Restaurant365, CTUIT, or similar hospitality systems
- Knowledge of inventory management, food safety, compliance, and daily operations
- Genuine interest in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, culture, wine, and hospitality
- Commitment to teamwork, attention to detail, continuous improvement, and hospitality excellence
YOUR IMPACT
As Assistant General Manager, you will partner closely with the General Manager to lead daily operations, inspire the team, and bring ICARIA's vision of exceptional hospitality to life.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading daily service and ensuring a consistently exceptional guest experience
- Coaching, developing, and inspiring a high-performing front-of-house team
- Establishing service standards and fostering a positive, accountable team culture
- Supporting hiring, training, scheduling, and pre-opening preparations
- Building guest relationships and resolving concerns with genuine care
- Managing labor, inventory, cost controls, and operational performance
- Collaborating with culinary and beverage leadership to deliver seamless, polished hospitality
WHY ICARIA?
- Competitive compensation package above market average
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits
- Paid time off
- Dining privileges across Puesto and Marisi restaurants
- Hands-on mentorship from accomplished Southern California hospitality leaders
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a growing restaurant group
- A meaningful leadership role in one of Southern California's most anticipated restaurant openings
JOIN US
Some restaurants are built to succeed.
Others are built to endure.
At ICARIA, we are creating a restaurant inspired by a philosophy of living well—through hospitality, craftsmanship, community, and care.
We are looking for an Assistant General Manager who shares that vision, leads with heart, and takes pride in making every experience exceptional.
If you're ready to grow your career while helping build something meaningful from the beginning, we'd love to meet you.
ICARIA
For the Soul & Body
Location and commute
San Diego Country Estates, CA .
Plan your route with Google Maps. Travel times and transportation options vary; confirm the work location with the employer before commuting.
How to apply
Review the vacancy and complete the application on the employer or recruitment partner’s website. Requisition ID: WJ-3244961440.