Food and Beverage Manager

Job Title: F&B Manager

Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Reports to: General Manager

The Lighthouse is a first-of-its-kind campus for creators and their teams, with locations in Venice, CA, and Brooklyn, NY.

We are a studio system and creative playground designed for creators to Learn, Make, and Belong—creating a more frictionless path from idea to production to publication.

Our mission is to assemble and inspire the Creator Generation, helping creators build sustainable careers while shaping what's next for the Creator Industry. Learn more: www.thelighthouse.com.

About the role:

The Lighthouse is looking for a Food & Beverage Manager to own the full cafe and bar program at our Brooklyn campus, from the first espresso of the morning to the last pour of an evening event. Working alongside the Assistant General Manager, you’ll set the vision for our food and beverage offering, run its daily operations and own its financial performance, all while creating warm, memorable hospitality for Creators, members and guests. You’ll start by leading a small team. As our full liquor license comes online, you’ll grow that team and build a cocktail and spirits program from the ground up.

Here’s what you’ll do day to day:

• Lead, hire, schedule and develop the cafe and bar team, starting with one part-time barista and one part-time bartender. Train them on drink preparation, service standards, the Toast point-of-sale (POS) system and responsible alcohol service.
• Run daily cafe operations, including espresso drinks, drip coffee and grab-and-go food. Refresh the menu with the Assistant General Manager using seasonal offerings and member feedback.
• Oversee bar setup, service and closing. Curate the beer and wine program now, and lead the build-out of a cocktail and spirits program once the full liquor license is in place.
• Be a visible, hands-on presence during peak service. Greet members, step behind the bar or espresso machine when needed, and resolve member concerns, escalating to campus leadership when necessary.
• Manage inventory and purchasing across coffee, food, beer, wine, spirits, glassware and supplies, including ordering, receiving, par levels, stock counts and tracking waste and variances.
• Build relationships with coffee roasters, food suppliers and beverage distributors, and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Partner with the Assistant General Manager to set and manage the F&B budget, covering cost of goods, labor and pricing. Own Toast setup and the accuracy of all transactions, house accounts, member credits and end-of-shift reporting.
• Support the process to secure and launch our full liquor license, and keep the team compliant with New York State Liquor Authority rules, health codes and food safety standards.
• Plan and lead F&B for campus events and activations, from menu and staffing through setup and breakdown. Partner with the Events team and Facilities Manager to bring in extra staff for larger events.
• Work with the Hospitality, Operations and Stewarding teams to keep the bar, cafe and pantry kitchen clean, organized and up to standard.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 3+ years in cafe, bar or restaurant operations, including experience supervising or managing a team.
• Strong knowledge of coffee and espresso preparation, plus real depth and enthusiasm for beer, wine and spirits that you enjoy sharing with others.
• Hands-on experience managing inventory, ordering, vendor relationships and food and beverage costs.
• Comfort running daily service on a POS system, including menu setup and reconciling sales.
• A TIPS, ATAP or equivalent responsible beverage service certification, or the ability to get one within 30 days of hire. You’ll also need an NYC Food Protection Certificate, or the ability to get one within 60 days of hire.
• Exceptional hospitality, communication and leadership skills. You set clear standards, coach people well and lead by example.
• Comfort with the physical side of the role, including long periods on your feet and lifting, pushing or pulling up to 30 lbs.
• A passion for building a space where Creators feel welcome and inspired.

This full-time, on-site role is based at The Lighthouse in Brooklyn, NY. You’ll work a standard 40-hour week on campus during operating hours, with the flexibility to occasionally shift your schedule for evening and weekend events. You’ll be at the heart of a creative campus, working alongside Creators, members and the teams who make The Lighthouse feel like home.

The salary range for this role is $70,000 - $75,000 and serves as a general guideline for the potential compensation. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the candidate’s experience, expertise, alignment with the position’s requirements, and, ultimately budget approvals.

The Perks:

The Lighthouse provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments and experiences so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• PTO + Sick Time
• HSA, FSA, and Commuter + Parking Benefits
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance Policy
• Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401k with Employer Matching. No Vesting Period.

Our values:

At The Lighthouse, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. 

The Lighthouse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.