Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service.
The Role
We are moving and growing and we will launch a new special place in the heart of Cais do Sodré. A space where the food, the bar, the music, and the people all form part of the same story. Tacos at the heart and agave based drinks at the bar.
As Restaurant Manager, you will be the energy in the room. Floor-driven and atmosphere-first, you run the venue like a place people genuinely want to be in — not just a place they come to eat. You balance a fast-paced, high-energy environment with the calm and presence needed to keep everything sharp.
You will lead the opening of this venue, playing a central role in building the team, setting the standards, and establishing the culture from day one. This is a rare opportunity to put your mark on something from the very beginning
Your Key Responsibilities
- Own the floor — be present, visible, and set the standard. Read the room, adapt the pace, and make sure every guest genuinely feels good, whether they're in for a quick taco or the whole evening.
- Recruit, train, and grow a team that cares leading selection, running training programmes, giving real feedback, and fostering an environment where people thrive.
- Maintain exceptional service standards by engaging naturally with guests, addressing feedback with care, and building the kind of relationships that turn first-timers into regulars.
- Manage budgets with purpose — track revenue and expenses, optimise labour costs, identify upselling opportunities, and make smart calls when it counts.
- Handle the unexpected with composure — staffing gaps, supply issues, guest complaints — assess fast, solve calmly, keep the energy right.
- Uphold health, safety, and sanitation standards across the board: HACCP protocols, hygiene practices, and regular audits are non-negotiable.
- Oversee all opening and closing procedures: cash handling, equipment, secure storage, and accurate financial records.
- Collaborate closely with HQ to embed best practices and contribute to the wider Vida Plena group.
What We Expect From You
- 3+ years in a similar role management, ideally in high-energy, lifestyle-driven restaurants or bar-forward venues.
- Previous experience opening new venues will really make our eyes glow — it's a big plus!
- Comfortable managing both a strong dining offer and a serious bar component simultaneously, at pace.
- Present and active on the floor — hands-on, leading by example, building team dynamic naturally.
- Skilled across FOH and BOH coordination, logistics, HR oversight, and financial management.
- Strong communicator : connects easily with staff, guests, and the team at HQ.
- Solid fundamentals in flow, peak management, and coordination — flexible in execution.
- Deep understanding of HACCP, health & safety, and operational standards.
- Fluent in English; Portuguese or other local languages a plus.
- Guest-centric and culturally curious — someone who naturally gravitates towards vibrant, meaningful environments.
- Available to work on night shifts and weekends
What's in For you?
At Vida Plena, you're not just taking a position; you are joining a community that values joy, respect, and a collective pursuit of excellence. If you're prepared to bring your expertise, passion, and innovation to our team, we're excited to welcome you into our fold.
- Be part of a vibrating opening — this experience will be your legacy
- A salary that respects your work — competitive pay from day one
- Performance that pays off — team performance bonus and fair tip distribution, because great service deserves real recognition
- Enjoy the experience yourself — group discounts for you and your guests across all our venues
- Support to do what you are best at — partnership with Finance, Marketing, HR, Logistics and Operations Leadership
- Wellbeing is a priority — a mental health partner and weekly activities on us, from yoga and boxing to meditation, keeping you energised on and off the floor
- Celebrations that bring us together — regular team-building events and group parties, because the best teams also know how to have fun
- Room to grow — be part of an expanding hospitality group with internal mobility and career progression opportunities.
