OPT Restaurant Jobs
Restaurant jobs on OPT span front-of-house management, culinary arts, hospitality operations, and food service management, roles that qualify when tied to a degree in hospitality management, culinary arts, or business administration. Your OPT authorization must match your field of study, so the job title and duties need to align with your degree.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Country Club of Virginia is seeking an experienced, hospitality-driven Restaurant Manager to lead the daily operations of our premier fine dining restaurant. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visible and passionate leader who thrives on creating memorable member experiences, developing high-performing teams, and delivering operational excellence in an upscale hospitality environment.
Our premier dining outlet features 60 indoor seats and 40 patio seats and offers members an elevated culinary experience highlighted by innovative seasonal cuisine, an award-worthy wine program featuring more than 150 selections, and a sophisticated craft cocktail program. Open five evenings per week, the restaurant is recognized as one of the Club's signature dining experiences and plays a vital role in our commitment to exceptional member service.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, the Restaurant Manager partners closely with the Executive Chef and Beverage Team to ensure every aspect of the dining experience reflects the standards, traditions, and reputation of The Country Club of Virginia.
As the leader of the outlet, you will be responsible for all front-of-house operations, including service execution, member engagement, team development, financial performance, and maintaining the highest hospitality standards.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading daily restaurant operations and ensuring an exceptional member experience
- Serving as a highly visible floor leader who actively engages with members and employees throughout service
- Upholding and reinforcing CCV service standards and hospitality expectations
- Conducting pre-shift meetings and effectively communicating reservations, menu features, allergies, and special requests
- Building strong relationships with members and proactively anticipating their needs
- Coaching, mentoring, and developing service team members, supervisors, interns, and future leaders
- Recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and evaluating employees
- Managing labor, scheduling, inventory, payroll approvals, tip reporting, and operational expenses
- Partnering with Culinary and Beverage teams to ensure flawless food and beverage execution
- Supporting department-wide initiatives, special events, training programs, and leadership projects
- Ensuring compliance with Club policies, health and safety requirements, and alcohol service regulations
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED required
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field preferred
- Three to five years of progressive restaurant, luxury hospitality, or private club management experience
- Food Safety Certification required
- Alcohol Beverage Certification required
- Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, service standards, and member-focused hospitality
- Demonstrated wine knowledge and familiarity with premium beverage programs
- Working knowledge of spirits, beer, cocktails, and responsible alcohol service
- Experience with POS systems, preferably Northstar
- Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word
- Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and time management skills
- Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE
- Deliver outstanding member experiences every shift
- Build engaged, accountable, and service-oriented teams
- Maintain collaborative partnerships with Culinary and Beverage leadership
- Achieve operational and financial goals without compromising service standards
- Lead by example through a consistent and visible presence on the floor
- Develop future leaders and contribute to the ongoing success of CCV's Food & Beverage program
COMPENSATION
Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution and match, medical/dental/vision insurance, fully paid life, short and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and free employee meals while working. Interested individuals should complete the online application in full and attach a resume and cover letter.
CLUB PROFILE
The Country Club of Virginia is one of America’s oldest and finest private, member-owned clubs. CCV is currently ranked #7 on the Platinum Clubs of America list out of thousands of recognized clubs. Located in Richmond, Virginia, CCV was established in 1908 and is one of the nation’s largest full-service country clubs. The Club’s 8,000+ members support 1,111 acres containing two superb clubhouses situated seven miles apart, 54 holes of golf, 24 tennis courts, five squash courts, three platform tennis courts, a 100,000 square foot fitness complex, five pools, five dining outlets, three snack bars, and special event venues. Consistently rated one of the Top Workplaces in Richmond, CCV employs a staff of over 800 in season and has an operating budget in excess of $52 million.
CCV conducts post-offer drug tests and criminal background screenings.
INTRODUCTION
The Country Club of Virginia is seeking an experienced, hospitality-driven Restaurant Manager to lead the daily operations of our premier fine dining restaurant. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visible and passionate leader who thrives on creating memorable member experiences, developing high-performing teams, and delivering operational excellence in an upscale hospitality environment.
Our premier dining outlet features 60 indoor seats and 40 patio seats and offers members an elevated culinary experience highlighted by innovative seasonal cuisine, an award-worthy wine program featuring more than 150 selections, and a sophisticated craft cocktail program. Open five evenings per week, the restaurant is recognized as one of the Club's signature dining experiences and plays a vital role in our commitment to exceptional member service.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, the Restaurant Manager partners closely with the Executive Chef and Beverage Team to ensure every aspect of the dining experience reflects the standards, traditions, and reputation of The Country Club of Virginia.
As the leader of the outlet, you will be responsible for all front-of-house operations, including service execution, member engagement, team development, financial performance, and maintaining the highest hospitality standards.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading daily restaurant operations and ensuring an exceptional member experience
- Serving as a highly visible floor leader who actively engages with members and employees throughout service
- Upholding and reinforcing CCV service standards and hospitality expectations
- Conducting pre-shift meetings and effectively communicating reservations, menu features, allergies, and special requests
- Building strong relationships with members and proactively anticipating their needs
- Coaching, mentoring, and developing service team members, supervisors, interns, and future leaders
- Recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and evaluating employees
- Managing labor, scheduling, inventory, payroll approvals, tip reporting, and operational expenses
- Partnering with Culinary and Beverage teams to ensure flawless food and beverage execution
- Supporting department-wide initiatives, special events, training programs, and leadership projects
- Ensuring compliance with Club policies, health and safety requirements, and alcohol service regulations
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED required
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field preferred
- Three to five years of progressive restaurant, luxury hospitality, or private club management experience
- Food Safety Certification required
- Alcohol Beverage Certification required
- Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, service standards, and member-focused hospitality
- Demonstrated wine knowledge and familiarity with premium beverage programs
- Working knowledge of spirits, beer, cocktails, and responsible alcohol service
- Experience with POS systems, preferably Northstar
- Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word
- Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and time management skills
- Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE
- Deliver outstanding member experiences every shift
- Build engaged, accountable, and service-oriented teams
- Maintain collaborative partnerships with Culinary and Beverage leadership
- Achieve operational and financial goals without compromising service standards
- Lead by example through a consistent and visible presence on the floor
- Develop future leaders and contribute to the ongoing success of CCV's Food & Beverage program
COMPENSATION
Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution and match, medical/dental/vision insurance, fully paid life, short and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and free employee meals while working. Interested individuals should complete the online application in full and attach a resume and cover letter.
CLUB PROFILE
The Country Club of Virginia is one of America’s oldest and finest private, member-owned clubs. CCV is currently ranked #7 on the Platinum Clubs of America list out of thousands of recognized clubs. Located in Richmond, Virginia, CCV was established in 1908 and is one of the nation’s largest full-service country clubs. The Club’s 8,000+ members support 1,111 acres containing two superb clubhouses situated seven miles apart, 54 holes of golf, 24 tennis courts, five squash courts, three platform tennis courts, a 100,000 square foot fitness complex, five pools, five dining outlets, three snack bars, and special event venues. Consistently rated one of the Top Workplaces in Richmond, CCV employs a staff of over 800 in season and has an operating budget in excess of $52 million.
CCV conducts post-offer drug tests and criminal background screenings.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Restaurant
Frame your role as a professional position
OPT requires employment in a role related to your degree. If your degree is in hospitality management, target manager, coordinator, or operations roles rather than purely hourly service positions. The job title and duties must connect clearly to your academic field.
Document the degree-to-job connection in writing
When applying, prepare a brief written explanation of how the restaurant role relates to your degree. Hiring managers unfamiliar with OPT will ask. A clear, one-paragraph statement speeds up the authorization conversation and reduces the chance of a misunderstanding.
Target employers with HR infrastructure
Independent restaurants rarely have experience with OPT employment verification. Multi-location restaurant groups, hotel food and beverage departments, and corporate dining operators are more familiar with Form I-9 requirements and work authorization compliance for international employees.
Report employer changes immediately through your DSO
Switching restaurant employers requires updating your OPT record through your Designated School Official before your start date with the new employer. Working for an unreported employer, even briefly, creates a gap that can jeopardize your status and any future STEM extension.
Track your 90-day unemployment limit carefully
OPT allows no more than 90 days of unemployment. If you leave one restaurant job before securing another, those days count. Build a timeline, keep written records of your job search, and aim to have your next offer confirmed before giving notice.
Understand what counts as authorized employment
Paid employment is straightforward, but unpaid restaurant internships and part-time arrangements also require DSO reporting. Work fewer than 20 hours per week counts toward your unemployment limit. Confirm any non-standard arrangement with your DSO before accepting to avoid compliance issues.
Restaurant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work in restaurant jobs?
Yes, but the position must be directly related to your field of study. A hospitality management or culinary arts graduate can work in restaurant operations, food and beverage management, or culinary coordination. A business administration graduate may qualify for restaurant general manager or operations roles. Purely hourly service positions without a clear academic connection are unlikely to meet OPT requirements.
Do restaurant employers need to file any paperwork to hire an OPT student?
No separate petition or government filing is required from the employer. The restaurant must verify your work authorization through Form I-9 using your Employment Authorization Document. However, your DSO must record the employer in your SEVIS record before or shortly after you start. The employer's obligation is limited to proper I-9 completion and retaining that record.
Where can I find restaurant jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists restaurant and hospitality roles from employers open to work authorization. Filtering by job category on Migrate Mate surfaces positions where hiring managers already understand OPT, which reduces friction during the offer process and speeds up onboarding.
Does working part-time at a restaurant count toward my OPT period?
Yes. Part-time employment of at least 20 hours per week counts as authorized OPT employment and does not accumulate toward the 90-day unemployment limit. Working fewer than 20 hours per week does count as unemployment time. If you're in a part-time restaurant role, confirm with your DSO that the hours and job duties are properly documented.
Can I work at multiple restaurants simultaneously on OPT?
Yes, you can hold multiple concurrent restaurant jobs on OPT as long as each position is related to your degree and each employer is reported to your DSO. Each employer must complete a separate Form I-9. If either position ends, notify your DSO promptly and track total days without qualifying employment across both roles to stay within the 90-day limit.