Founding Coffee House Manager
Palestinian Coffee House
Opening in 2027 | Chicago Northwest Suburbs
Most coffee shops serve coffee.
We're building something much bigger.
Darna Coffee House is a Palestinian-inspired coffee house built around hospitality, culture, community, and connection. We often describe it as a community center disguised as a coffee house.
We're looking for an exceptional Founding Coffee House Manager to lead the daily operation of Darna and help bring this vision to life.
This is an opportunity to join Darna before we open our doors and play a key leadership role in creating a place that will serve the community for years to come.
A Founding Leadership Role
This is not a traditional coffee house management position.
You will join Darna before we open and work closely with the owner to help transform the vision into a fully operating coffee house.
During the pre-opening phase, you will help shape many of the systems, standards, traditions, and experiences that will define Darna for years to come.
You will not simply inherit an existing operation—you will help build it.
The right person will be comfortable moving between vision and execution. You should enjoy taking an idea, helping shape it, and then building the systems, team, and operating structure necessary to make it real.
Responsibilities
Lead the day-to-day operations of the coffee house
Recruit, train, coach, and lead the team
Create a warm, welcoming, hospitality-first culture
Ensure exceptional quality, cleanliness, and consistency
Help build the systems, SOPs, training, vendor relationships, and operating standards needed to successfully open Darna
Manage scheduling, labor, inventory, vendors, operating expenses, and cost controls
Manage scheduling, inventory, vendors, and operating expenses
Support community events, live music, and cultural programming
Work closely with the owner to continually improve the guest experience and operations
Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate naturally notices hospitality.
When you visit a coffee shop, restaurant, or hotel, you notice the details.
The greeting.
The atmosphere.
The music.
The cleanliness.
The energy of the team.
You believe exceptional hospitality is created through hundreds of thoughtful details.
The right person is both an operator and a builder—someone who enjoys creating the systems and team behind a great hospitality experience.
You enjoy leading people.
You thrive on creating organized, efficient operations.
You take pride in helping others succeed.
You're dependable, humble, emotionally intelligent, and committed to excellence.
Most importantly, you believe that great hospitality has the power to bring people together.
What We're Looking For
Experience managing a coffee shop, café, restaurant, or hospitality business
Strong leadership and team development skills
A passion for hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences
Experience hiring, coaching, and developing employees
Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing daily operations
Experience opening a new business is a plus, but not required
Knowledge of Arabic, Palestinian culture, or Middle Eastern hospitality is a plus, but not required
Most importantly, we're looking for someone who believes in our mission and wants to help create a place where everyone feels at home.
Compensation
Competitive salary
Healthcare stipend
Performance bonus
Paid time off
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means:
Guests become regulars because they love the experience.
Employees enjoy coming to work and take pride in what they do.
The coffee house operates smoothly and consistently.
Darna becomes a trusted gathering place within the community.
The business operates responsibly and sustainably.
When guests leave saying,
"That place feels like home."
...we know we're succeeding.
Why Join Darna?
This isn't just another management position.
It's an opportunity to lead a unique hospitality business built around coffee, culture, and community.
If you're passionate about hospitality, enjoy leading people, believe in building strong teams, and want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, we'd love to hear from you.
When you apply, we'd love to hear why this opportunity speaks to you
Learn more about our vision at www.darna.us
Think You Might Be a Great Fit?
You don't need to fill out a long application.
You don't need to make a big commitment.
Just send us your information below.
I'll personally review it and text you within a few days to schedule brief 15-minute phone call.
By submitting your information, you're simply letting us know you're interested in learning more. I'll text you within a few days to schedule a brief 15-minute phone call.