General Manager, MUD\HQ

The General Manager, MUD\HQ (Santa Monica, CA) role is a multi-business operator who is ultimately responsible for the sustained growth in sales and profits of each of the businesses within the HQ: Cafe, Event, and Immersion. This role is responsible for leading operations for all units and managing the guest experience through a team who delivers operational excellence and hospitality so that each of our guests leaves delighted. With a solid background in the nuts and bolts of running a multi-functional space, this leader also needs to live and breathe health and wellness and is continually seeking knowledge and skills to bring an improved experience to our guests and customers. A successful candidate has the know how and can-do attitude born from years running restaurants or other hospitality venues, while an exceptional candidate will layer on top of that an ability to think strategically and work with the Director of Brand Experience to build out the operational side of holistic, fully immersive experiences for our customers, using the HQ as the canvas. Prior hospitality (restaurant/hotel/spa) opening experience is strongly preferred.

This leader spends the majority of their time working on the current business with clear purpose and intent of each unit to observe and provide feedback on the actions, behaviors, and routines of our people to continue to enhance operational excellence, while also devoting time to work strategically with MUD Leadership to plan for the potential of this space and the retail business at large. The General Manager must lead, inspire, and embody our MUD\WTR values in all interactions with our people, guests, vendors, community, and investors.

What you’ll do:

Assist with the final stages of opening MUD\HQ

Work with Director of Brand Experience as needed through final phases of the build to achieve a successful opening. Possible responsibilities could include:

• Help oversee daily construction
• Install and set up POS system
• Research and order remaining FF&E
• Implement operational calendar (cleaning schedule, supply orders, operational contracts, etc)
• Work with Director of Brand Experience to implement and pressure test all operational systems

Identify, recruit and manage a world class team of employees

• Bring on a dream team to run each business unit
• Create and continually improve all training manuals and modules
• Create opportunities for ongoing education related to our core modalities: Mushrooms, Mindfulness, Movement, Music, Medicine
• Ensure employee relations issues are addressed immediately and escalated as needed and in accordance with MUD\WTR’s SOP’s
• Continually assess operations, leadership, team cohesion, and performance; observe individual and team performance identified opportunities to enhance operational excellence
• Build trusting relationships with the DBE and MUD leadership to ensure effective communication, collaboration, support, and thoughtful, well-informed decision-making while sharing best practices for continuous improvement

Ensure operational and financial excellence across all business units

• Work with DBE to develop key performance goals for each unit
• Monitor business metrics to identify emerging trends and areas of opportunity
• Evaluate and propose key investments in equipment, infrastructure, and talent as needed
• Communicate areas of performance needing improvement to meet business plan goals
• Review sales/guest count forecasts based on historical and current trends and build forward looking financial models

Develop and unite the MUD Community around the space and its offerings

• Work with the DBE to help cultivate local ambassadors, connect with their communities and utilize the space for their chosen activities
• Produce monthly events in conjunction with HQ and the ambassadors
• Keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going on in wellness and on the Westside, then bring those ideas to the DBE to integrate into the events strategy/calendar

• Proficient knowledge of systems and processes in retail/hospitality operations
• At least 10 years of management experience in the hospitality and or wellness industry
• Strong financial acumen
• Ability to lead, empower and inspire a team to achieve and exceed targets
• Exceptional communications skills, 1:1, in large group settings and written
• Ability to demonstrate discretion and leadership in complex employee relations matters
• Ability to embody, teach, and inspire our MUD\WTR Values
• Demonstrated experience collaborating and communicating across all levels of an organization
• Demonstrated technical experience implementing people and organizational focused strategies and programs
• Able to lift and move items and boxes up to 50 lbs

Please note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This position may be required to perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the business.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at our company, please e-mail hr@mudwtr.com for assistance.MUD\WTR will make reasonable accommodations under applicable law for qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the Company.

MUD\WTR is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We welcome all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, veteran or military status, disability (physical or mental), genetic information or other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and operate in compliance with applicable fair chance laws.

Mud is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that such an environment advances long-term professional growth, creates a robust business, and supports our mission. As part of the MUD\WTR team, your voice will be heard, your contributions will matter, and your unique background and experiences will be celebrated.