Head of Standalone, Concepts & Experiences

About the Role 

As Head of Standalone Concepts & Experiences, you’ll lead the strategy and operations for Wonder’s standalone restaurants, bars, and experience-driven venues. This includes everything from fast casual eateries to full-service dining rooms, cocktail bars, and immersive speakeasy-style spaces. You’ll play a critical role in shaping new concepts, bringing them to market, and scaling them sustainably—all while curating memorable guest experiences and ensuring alignment with Wonder’s core brand ecosystem. 

Key Responsibilities  

Oversee multi-unit operations across a portfolio of standalone concepts, ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and standout guest experiences. 

• Lead the creation, launch, and evolution of new concepts—from menu and service design to atmosphere, talent, and storytelling. 

• Manage alcohol and beverage programs for full-service restaurants, bars, and speakeasies—ensuring compliance, profitability, and creative excellence in cocktails, wine, and beer selections. 

• Own event programming and execution, including live music, ticketed events, private dining, and local community engagement—working with performers, vendors, and marketing teams to curate dynamic experiences. 

• Act as the P&L owner for each concept, leveraging data and insights to optimize performance, staffing, and unit economics. 

• Ensure all standalone concepts align with Wonder’s broader brand vision, including opportunities to integrate signature Wonder brands, menus, or chef partnerships in new formats. 

• Hire, train, and develop General Managers and in-restaurant leadership teams, fostering high-performance, hospitality, and innovation. 

• Drive the success of new restaurant openings, supporting everything from operational setup and recruitment to launch execution and post-opening optimization. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with culinary, design, marketing, product, legal, and real estate teams to deliver aligned, guest-centric outcomes. 

• Ensure regulatory compliance for food safety, labor laws, and alcohol service, including licensing and responsible beverage programs. 

• Continuously evolve operations by identifying inefficiencies, piloting new approaches, and embedding feedback loops for improvement. 

The Experience You Bring  

• 8+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in restaurants, including new concept development and full-service operations 

• Proven track record in managing beverage programs, bar operations, and alcohol compliance 

• Experience producing or managing events, from intimate gatherings to high-volume activations with live entertainment 

• Strong financial acumen and operational rigor, with ownership of complex P&Ls 

• Ability to balance creative vision with scalable systems and consistent execution 

• Excellent communication and team leadership skills across diverse restaurant formats 

• Deep understanding of both hospitality and brand storytelling, with a guest-first mindset 

• Passion for building teams, developing talent, and delivering hospitality at every level 

Requirements: 

• Must be 21+ and legally authorized to work in the U.S. 

• Ability to travel frequently across regions 

• Must hav