Job Title: Café Experience Lead

Location: Venice, CA

Reports to: Assistant General Manager

Hourly Rate: $30.00

Department: Food & Beverage

 

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.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

Café Operations (80%)

• 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

Campus Operations Support (20%)

• 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

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 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

The Perks:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• PTO + Sick Time
• HSA, FSA, and Commuter + Parking Benefits
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance Policy
• Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401k with Employer Matching. No Vesting Period.

Our values:

At The Lighthouse, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. 

The Lighthouse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.