Front of House Manager
Employment Type
Job (Full-Time)Job Categories
Visitor Services
Job Description
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring a Culinary Front of House Manager!
Are you a successful restaurant manager, excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility goals?
This is a Year-round, Full-time, benefits eligible position.
$60,000 – 65,000 salaried, exempt
The Front of House Manager will ensure cohesive, effective team operations, both in the café and the snack shack, while maintaining quality standards that promote the Gardens, connect to the mission, and enhance the guest experience. This effort results in a transformational culinary experience which enriches a guest’s visit while generating meaningful financial support for the Gardens and our community.
This position has seasonal schedule variations requiring weekend availability throughout the year and evening availability in November and December.
Physical Requirements:
-Occasionally required to sit, walk and stand for long periods of time
-Required to use hands to hold, carry, handle or feel; required to reach with hands and arms
-Required to talk and hear
-Occasionally required to bend, lift or climb
-Often required to lift between 25-50lbs
-Work environment includes exposure to heat, moisture, and cold
Application review will begin January 5, 2026.
About Us
At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to plants and nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity.
Duties & Responsibilities
-Participate in year-round planning for the culinary department; to include seasonal menus, catering events, staffing, and general understanding of the upcoming season activities.
-Engage with and receive feedback from guests and team members.
-Participate in the hiring process for the Front of House.
-Onboard and train Front of House staff in café & snack shack.
-Maintain scheduling and timecards for all Front of House staff.
-Manage and execute day-to-day operations in the café and snack shack.
-Manage inventory for the Front of House and maintain monthly documentation of inventory in Toast Point-of-Sale (POS).
-Manage ordering for Front of House, communicating with Back of House for any shared items to be ordered and restocked.
-Responsible for all Front of House needs for catering/events at the Gardens; including drinks, set up, paper goods, etc.
-Collaborate with other departments for events happening throughout the gardens.
-Set clear expectations and provide coaching and feedback to team members in areas of performance improvement.
-Collaborate with other departments to support and promote excellent guest experience throughout the organization.
-Plan and develop systems to improve Front of House service quality and efficiency.
-Understand local, state, and federal laws pertaining to food service.
-Participate in classes, workshops, and food shows to stay abreast of current trends.
-Attend management and leadership meetings and education trainings.
-Participate in Gardens-wide initiatives including Gardens Aglow assignments.
Education and Experience
-Demonstrated history of successful restaurant management. Two years of Front of House management experience preferred.
-Experience with Toast or other Point of Sale systems preferred.
-Experience in developing high-performing, effective, and collaborative teams.
-Proficient in problem-solving, planning, organizing, and prioritizing.
-Capable of gathering and analyzing information, developing solutions, and using reason.
-Commitment to excellence in food and beverage hospitality and guest experience.
-Desire to provide excellent customer service.
-Experience in setting personal and team goals and objectives.
-Excellent oral and written communication.
-Proficient in Microsoft programs including Excel.
-Maintain current certifications in food & beverage (ServSafe).
-A respect for plants, nature, and the outdoors; an interest in serving the constituencies of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens as well as learning more about the Gardens’ environment.
-Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles into Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.
