Elevated Dining Restaurant General Manager

Full-Time

General Manager | Echelon Kitchen & Bar + Hunã in Ann Arbor, Michigan

THE OPPORTUNITY
Echelon Kitchen & Bar is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead the operations of Echelon and its companion concept, Hunã. Echelon is an independent, chef-driven, live-fire restaurant located in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. The restaurant combines sophisticated but unpretentious hospitality with a highly seasonal, Michigan-focused culinary program, an ambitious beverage program and a strong commitment to its people, craft and community. Echelon was recognized as a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in America.

Located beneath Echelon, **Hunã** is a modern, immersive interpretation of the tiki bar—combining highly crafted cocktails, island-inspired food and a distinctive guest experience.
Together, the concepts represent a sophisticated, multi-faceted hospitality operation requiring a General Manager who is equally comfortable with exceptional hospitality, people leadership and rigorous financial management.

THE CANDIDATE
We are seeking a **proven restaurant operator**, not simply an accomplished dining-room manager.  The ideal candidate is currently a General Manager, Managing Partner, Director of Operations or similarly senior operator within a highly regarded independent restaurant or sophisticated small restaurant group.  Preference will be given to candidates with experience in:
- Chef-driven, independent or small-group restaurants generating approximately **$5–10+ million in annual revenue**;
- Nationally recognized, James Beard- or Michelin-caliber restaurants or comparable hospitality organizations;
- Elevated but approachable service environments;
- Sophisticated wine, spirits and cocktail programs;
- Managing multiple concepts, venues or operating environments;
- Building, coaching and holding management teams accountable;
- Labor planning, COGS management, budgeting, forecasting and P&L accountability;
- Recruiting, developing and retaining exceptional hospitality professionals;
- Creating strong organizational culture while maintaining high performance expectations; and
- Working successfully with active, engaged ownership.

The successful candidate must combine **hospitality instincts with business discipline**. We are specifically seeking an operator who understands how exceptional guest experiences, employee culture and financial performance reinforce one another.

THE MANDATE

The General Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation and financial performance of Echelon and Hunã.  This individual will lead the front-of-house management team, work closely with Executive Chef/Partner Joseph VanWagner and the ownership/leadership group, establish clear operating standards and accountability, and ensure that both concepts consistently deliver exceptional guest and employee experiences while achieving budgeted financial results.  This is a highly visible leadership position with meaningful autonomy and the opportunity to help shape the next stage of two emerging hospitality brands.

THE LOCATION & RELOCATION

The position is based full-time in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Oursearch is **national in scope**, and relocation assistance will be considered for the appropriate candidate.

Ann Arbor offers an unusually attractive combination of sophisticated dining and culture, a highly educated population, the University of Michigan, major sporting and cultural events, excellent schools and a quality of life that compares favorably with considerably larger metropolitan markets.

COMPENSATION:

Base salary from $110,000-$125,000 with addtional incentives to get the successful candidate over $150,000 per year.  

Incentive compensaiton tied to results; 5-day work week; company-provided health care; paid time off, volunteer time off. 

Contact:
Doug Zeif, Managing Partner, Echelon Kitchen & Bar

DZ@equalmeasure.net