Café Experience Lead

Whalar Group•Venice, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lighthouse, part of Whalar Group, is a first-ever creative campus and studio playground for the Creator Generation, offering Creators an I.R.L. platform to Learn, Make, and Belong. With Venice, CA already opened, and Brooklyn, NY opening in Fall 2025, and London/EMEA opening in 2026, the campuses are designed to empower and support career Creators and creative professionals, providing a dynamic environment explicitly tailored to their needs. Each campus features state-of-the-art, mixed-use content studios, and hosts impactful programming that empowers members to collaborate, learn, and grow their businesses within a thriving community. The Lighthouse expands opportunities and creative capabilities, offering Creators a dedicated space to co-create, connect, and lead the businesses shaping creative culture. Learn more: www.thelighthouse.com . About the role: The Café Experience Lead plays a central role in shaping the daily member experience at The Lighthouse. This position is approximately 80% focused on leading and elevating café operations and 20% dedicated to supporting campus-wide operational needs, including opening and closing procedures. As a key hospitality leader, this individual is friendly, organized, and service-driven, with a genuine passion for coffee, food & beverage, popular culture, and the creative arts. They are a natural connector who builds strong relationships with members and guests while maintaining operational excellence behind the scenes. This role serves as both a supervisor and culture carrier. The Café Experience Lead ensures seamless service, supports team performance, rolls out new processes, and contributes to creating unparalleled experiences aligned with The Lighthouse brand ethos.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in a speciality coffee, hospitality, or food & beverage supervisory role
Proven experience leading teams and managing shift operations
Passionate about coffee and food & beverage, with strong product knowledge preferred
Experience in a membership club or community-based hospitality environment preferred
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organization, inventory and operational management abilities
Self-awareness, adaptability, and comfortable multitasking in a dynamic environment
Flexible availability, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends
Be a good person

Nice To Haves

Passionate about coffee and food & beverage, with strong product knowledge preferred
Experience in a membership club or community-based hospitality environment preferred

Responsibilities

Supervise daily café operations to ensure smooth, efficient, high-quality service
Lead shifts and provide hands-on support, including working cafe shifts
Foster a warm, welcoming, hospitality-driven atmosphere
Build meaningful, charismatic connections with members and guests
Oversee inventory management and assist with product ordering
Monitor stock levels, product quality, and presentation standards
Roll out and reinforce new operational processes and service standards
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organization, and food safety
Develop and execute cafe classes and experiences for members
Serve as opening and/or closing supervisor for the campus
Ensure campus readiness at opening and secure, accurate closing procedures
Act as a visible and supportive leader on the floor
Lead morning or afternoon team meetings
Assist with cross-functional operational initiatives and administrative projects
Support a positive, professional environment aligned with The Lighthouse brand
Be a liaison between leadership and campus teams