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Lead Barista / Café (FT)

Brooklyn, New York

Job Title: Lead Barista / Café (Full-Time)

Location: The Lighthouse Brooklyn Campus

Reports to: Hospitality & Operations Manager

Hourly Rate: $25.00 per hour

Department: Operations

 

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:

As a Lead Barista, you’ll be both a hands-on barista and a team leader for our café and campus support areas. You’ll prepare and serve high-quality coffee, teas, and snacks while overseeing daily café operations to ensure smooth service and hospitality excellence. In addition, you’ll supervise and mentor baristas and Campus Support Team Members, guiding schedules, training, and performance while keeping operations organized and professional. This is a role for someone who thrives on balancing craft coffee service with leadership and teamwork in a vibrant, creative environment.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

  • Prepare and serve espresso drinks, drip coffee, teas, and grab-and-go snacks to Lighthouse standards.
  • Oversee daily café setup, service, and closing procedures.
  • Troubleshoot and maintain café equipment; report repair needs.
  • Manage par levels for supplies, ingredients, and consumables.
  • Operate and oversee the café POS system (Toast) with accuracy and accountability.
  • Ensure cleanliness, organization, and compliance with health and safety standards.
  • Lead café service during campus events, activations, and programs.
  • Coordinate with Campus Support and Events teams for setup, service, and breakdown.
  • Support with trash removal, dishwashing, and shared space upkeep when needed.
  • Supervise baristas and Campus Support Team Members, providing training, coaching, and real-time direction.
  • Partner with the Hospitality & Operations Manager on scheduling and team coverage.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

  • 2+ years of barista, café, or hospitality experience; prior leadership/shift-lead experience preferred.
  • Strong customer service skills and ability to engage with diverse members and guests.
  • Experience maintaining coffee equipment and knowledge of food safety/service best practices.
  • Organized and adaptable in a fast-paced, creative campus environment.
  • Clear communicator with leadership and multitasking abilities.
  • Hospitality-first mindset, with accountability and reliability at the core.
  • Flexible availability including daytime, evenings, and weekends for events.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
  • Frequent bending, squatting, climbing, and standing for extended periods.
  • Comfort working in varied environments (indoor café and outdoor event spaces).

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.

 

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