ABOUT THE STUDENTS’ UNION
The Students’ Union (SU) is one of the leading undergraduate student associations in Canada. We are a not-for-profit organization that works to ensure that University of Calgary undergraduate students have the best possible university experience through advocacy, representation, and providing valuable on-campus services and programs. We also manage several businesses within the MacEwan Student Centre including The Den & Black Lounge (our restaurant and Cafe), two concert venues, a convenience store, a used bookstore and copy centre, and the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre.
We’re in the business of student leadership, and so SU staff are all teachers in some capacity. We coach, mentor, and work alongside the elected members of our student government to help them develop skills and make good decisions for the organization. As such, the SU is a nimble and leading-edge organization that can pivot quickly to address emerging issues and trends.
The Students’ Union offers all our employees a competitive, market-determined salary. Our benefits, though, tend to exceed the market. These include:
- Five weeks paid vacation, to start
- Unlimited paid sick time
- A six percent RRSP matching program
- Full health and dental benefits plus a health spending account
- A mission-driven culture that values work-life balance, diverse experiences, and kindness
People love working for the Students’ Union because we care about our employees and empower them to thrive and succeed. The result is a very low turnover and a long-serving staff who are passionate about what they do. If you’re tired of being treated like a cog in a machine and want to do something that matters without sacrificing your home life, the Students’ Union might just be the right fit for you.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Manager, Restaurants oversees the operational facets of The Den & Black Lounge and the future Black Lounge Cafe including financial targets and performance, service standards, marketing and promotional plans, and management of staffing, security, and safety. The position reports directly to the Executive Chef.
The position regularly interacts with customers to gauge service levels, responds to and resolves complaints or concerns and manages security and safety in partnership with external organizations such as Campus Security, the Calgary Police Service, the Calgary Fire Department and the Alberta Liquor Gaming Commission (AGLC).
This role is expected to contribute to the development of strategic initiatives for the Den & Black Lounge, including:
- business plan development and review.
- implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer service standards and identifying trends and action plans for improvements.
- financial objectives including forecasting requirements, food and liquor ordering, inventory, controlling and reviewing costs of goods, loss management, labour and expenses, and analyzing variances.
- creating an inclusive, safe, and welcoming workplace culture for all employees and customers.
SALARY
For this position, the hiring range is $57,000 to $65,000. As a not-for-profit organization, it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to offer a successful candidate a salary outside of this range.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruit, train, and develop staff on guest service principles and practices organizing and running new hire orientations, providing coaching and ongoing feedback, outlining performance expectations, and conducting annual performance reviews.
- Schedule staff, in alignment with the annual budget, to ensure proper coverage throughout peak times. Monitor and process payroll information.
- Provide ongoing training and coaching of staff to increase customer service levels and staff knowledge in the areas of alcohol awareness and server intervention and safety procedures.
- Ensure the restaurant opening and closing requirements are met, including daily reporting tasks.
- Delegate tasks and follow up to ensure staff are meeting the operational expectations for food preparation and delivery, service times, restaurant cleanliness, and customer service.
- Maintain high quality standards by monitoring and improving FOH procedures and execution.
- Develop liquor menus and provide accurate costing for each item.
- Update the POS system as required.
- Manage and account for cash floats and shortages.
- Communicate operational concerns and changes to other members of management and kitchen teams.
- Lead month-end inventory and reconciliation for liquor and restaurant supplies.
- Communicate with prospective clients to book and coordinate Den events. Work in conjunction with other departments with external events held in the Den.
- Develop relationships with community members, student clubs and staff to promote in house events.
- Create and maintain preventative maintenance programs and coordinate repairs with the Students’ Union Facilities team.
- Act as a fire warden and work as part of the evacuation team in case of fire, or any emergency. Ensure completion of detailed reports related to security and medical incidents.
- Coordinate staff training and maintain up to date records for programs such as WHMIS, ProServe, ProTect, bystander intervention, safe food handling, and other Students’ Union mandated courses.
- Complete the annual Best Bar None program application and inspection process. Ensure that requirements are upheld throughout the year.
- Promote and adhere to all SU policies and procedures.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Strong team player with the ability to lead and motivate.
- Confident, self-motivated, and enthusiastic.
- Strong communication skills, organizational skills, and financial aptitude.
- Outstanding customer service orientation.
- Sales and marketing knowledge including familiarity with social media strategies.
- Ability to work under pressure and deal with stressful situations during busy periods.
- Physically able to perform work; able to stand/walk for extended periods and lift or move objects up to 40 lbs.
- Available to work both day and night shifts, including weekends and holidays, as the business requires.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A diploma or degree in food and beverage or hospitality management is preferred. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Three years of experience or more working in a restaurant/bar, at a supervisory level, gained within a high-volume food and beverage service environment.
- Familiarity with the coordination of deliveries and take-out using third party platforms and/or restaurant website.
- Involvement organizing live music events, including the management and set-up of audio equipment, would be a benefit.
- Valid ProServe, CPR, emergency first aid, and WHMIS certification required.
For more information, check out the position description.
Please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@su.ucalgary.ca. We are accepting applications until November 15, 2024, or until we find the right person. We’re hoping to interview candidates and make a decision in mid-December.
STATEMENT ON EMPLOYMENT EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
The Students’ Union is committed to ensuring that members of equity-deserving groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Black, Indigenous, and/or other racialized communities to apply. Qualified candidates who identify as 2Spirit and/or LGBTQIA+ or are otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation are also strongly encouraged to apply.
The Students’ Union welcomes applications from people with disabilities and believes strongly in accessibility in the work we do. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process – please advise us at any point and we will work with you to meet your needs while respecting your privacy as much as possible.
The Students’ Union is grateful to work on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikuni, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is Moh’kins’tsis, which we now call the City of Calgary. The Students’ Union also recognizes that land acknowledgments are not enough. We need to pursue truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship in an ongoing effort to make right with all our relations.