Restaurant Manager - AETHOS Ericeira

Perched on a clifftop within a protected nature reserve on Portugal's Silver Coast, Aethos Ericeira is a 50-room lifestyle and wellness retreat overlooking some of the world's most celebrated surf breaks. Part of Aethos — Europe's fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality brand — the property reflects a deep respect for its natural setting: a heated saltwater pool, hammam-style spa, panoramic sauna and ice bath, a fully equipped gym, yoga, and Onda, our seafood-driven restaurant celebrating the Silver Coast's culinary heritage.

Aethos isn't about traditional five-star formality — it's barefoot luxury with substance. We're entering an exciting next chapter for the property and are looking for a Restaurant Manager who wants to help shape it. Portugal is a key pillar of Aethos's expansion, with a new property opening in Lisbon in 2027 and further Portuguese locations in the pipeline — offering real growth potential for leaders who help build the brand's presence in the country.

We're seeking a Restaurant Manager to lead Onda into its next phase — someone energised by building culture and community, comfortable wearing multiple hats in a boutique environment, and genuinely excited by the intersection of hospitality, wellness, design, and sustainability. This is a visible, on-the-floor leadership role. Portuguese and English fluency is essential — the Restaurant Manager will be a key face of the dining experience locally and internationally.

• Oversee the guest journey, ensuring a positive, welcoming first impression and an outstanding dining experience aligned with Aethos's sustainability and genuine hospitality ethos.

• Be responsible for delivering an exceptional guest experience across the restaurant.

• Effectively carry out service recovery — or direct hosts to do so — in the event of guest complaints.

• Support the ongoing update of guest history profiles.

• Manage reservations, orchestrate restaurant preparations, and ensure seamless service by fostering clear communication between kitchen and dining areas, maintaining meticulous mise-en-place, and overseeing the restaurant's closure in adherence to hygiene standards.

• Inspect the department and guests' orders on a regular basis, ensuring maintenance issues and product improvements are acted upon within the designated time frame.

• Provide guidance and control over portions and presentation of orders.

• Supervise and review storage to ensure stock is on hand, properly stored, and in line with Aethos control and hygiene standards.

• Be responsible for the monthly inventory.

• Maintain thorough knowledge of all facilities and services offered by the property, full knowledge of menus and specials across all outlets, and a strong knowledge of the wine list with the ability to recommend wine in the absence of a sommelier.

• Coordinate and lead a team of engaged, experienced hosts, setting high standards and providing guidance and training to deliver Aethos's exceptional standards of service.

• Mentor new staff, instilling the values and service standards synonymous with Aethos.

• Maximise team productivity while upholding the authentic, warm hospitality that defines the Aethos experience.

• Keep abreast of industry trends and practices, updating knowledge and skills to continually improve the product and service offering.

• Focus on the rejuvenation of the restaurant experience, constantly assessing and reviewing products and services to remain relevant, innovative, and in keeping with Aethos's wellness and sustainability practices, including alignment with Food Made Good principles.

• Regularly review, through physical presence in the department, rigorous adherence to Aethos brand standards.

• Ensure restaurant amenities, menus, and wine lists remain relevant and in keeping with Aethos's wellness and sustainability practices.

• Ensure the restaurant complies with Aethos Hotel Standards, implementing solutions for efficient, safe operations while upholding hygiene protocols.

• Proactively identify operational challenges, ensuring strict adherence to Aethos Hotel Standards for a safe and efficient dining environment.

• Review and control the restaurant's operational budget, ensuring costs are continually monitored and controlled to drive profitability, while factoring in the preservation of required standards with every decision made.

• Minimise payroll costs by maximising productivity and efficient scheduling of hosts.

• Ensure interaction and communication between departments within the property are clear and effectively maintained to support the smooth running of the department.

• Prepare and submit legally required and confidential documentation related to the operation.

• Complete all corporate reporting requirements for the role accurately.

• Attend or conduct designated meetings and briefings as instructed.