General Manager

Position Title: General Manager
Location: Cotogna – San Francisco, CA
Reports to: Director of Hospitality & Ownership
Work Schedule: Full-Time, In-Person

Cotogna is a quintessential San Francisco dining destination, celebrating the simplicity and integrity of Italian regional cuisine through the lens of Northern California’s seasonal bounty. Located adjacent to Quince, Cotogna is part of the Quince & Co. restaurant group and reflects a shared commitment to exceptional hospitality, ingredient integrity, and operational excellence. The restaurant is grounded in a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous refinement.

The General Manager is responsible for leading all front-of-house operations at Cotogna, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and strong financial performance. This role serves as the primary leader and culture carrier for the restaurant, responsible for developing the team, maintaining service standards, and aligning daily operations with the broader vision of Quince & Co.

The General Manager works closely with culinary leadership, ownership, and senior leadership to uphold Cotogna’s reputation as one of San Francisco’s premier dining destinations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the front-of-house management and service team.

• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and hospitality excellence.

• Recruit, train, and retain exceptional talent.

• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and leadership development.

Guest Experience

• Ensure every guest receives warm, attentive, and personalized hospitality.

• Maintain Cotogna’s service standards and operational consistency.

• Address guest feedback professionally and proactively.

Operations Management

• Oversee daily restaurant operations, including service execution, staffing, and floor leadership.

• Partner with culinary leadership to ensure seamless FOH and BOH collaboration.

• Maintain operational systems, procedures, and quality standards.

• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and labor regulations.

Financial Performance

• Manage labor, cost controls, and operational expenses to meet financial goals.

• Monitor revenue, productivity, and performance metrics.

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning.

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with ownership and senior leadership on operational initiatives and long-term planning.

• Support hiring, onboarding, and succession planning.

• Maintain accurate reporting, scheduling, and administrative systems.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of restaurant management experience, including senior leadership experience.

• Fine dining or luxury hospitality experience strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Strong floor presence and guest engagement.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Financial acumen and operational discipline.

• Ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, high-standard environment.

• Genuine passion for hospitality, food, and wine.