Brianna Russell
Central FL
Summary
People-focused hospitality and operations professional with extensive experience leading teams, developing talent, and creating positive experiences for both guests and employees. Background spans hospitality leadership, employee engagement, training and development, talent acquisition, onboarding, labor management, compliance, and operational support. Known for building strong relationships, solving problems, coaching teams, and creating environments where people feel supported and empowered to succeed. Passionate about the intersection of people, culture, operations, and exceptional hospitality.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Talent Acquisition Manager
Alexandria Restaurant Partners
11.2025 - Current
- Lead talent acquisition and onboarding efforts across a multi-concept hospitality organization, partnering with leadership to support staffing, team development, and business needs.
- Build meaningful candidate and new-hire experiences that reflect company culture and create a welcoming transition into the organization.
- Partner with restaurant leaders to understand team needs, strengthen staffing strategies, and connect the right people with the right opportunities.
- Coordinate the hiring process from sourcing and interviews through onboarding, ensuring a smooth and organized experience for candidates and new team members.
- Support employee engagement and retention by identifying opportunities to improve communication, onboarding, and the overall team experience.
- Maintain accurate hiring, onboarding, and compliance documentation while ensuring processes are consistent and aligned with company standards.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership and operations to improve people processes, strengthen communication, and support successful teams.
- Provide guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, contributing to a positive workplace culture and strong foundation for team success.
Senior Operations Manager
Cafe Tu Tu Tango at Alexandria Restaurant Partners
05.2023 - 03.2026
- Led day-to-day operations of a high-volume hospitality environment, balancing exceptional guest experiences with strong team performance and operational standards.
- Led, coached, and developed a diverse team, creating an environment centered on accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Supported recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training to build strong teams and provide new employees with a positive introduction to the organization.
- Managed scheduling, labor, and payroll processes while maintaining compliance with company policies and employment regulations.
- Provided ongoing coaching and performance feedback, helping team members develop their skills and succeed in their roles.
- Supported employee relations by addressing workplace concerns, resolving challenges, and fostering a positive team culture.
- Partnered with leadership to identify operational opportunities, improve processes, and align team performance with business goals.
- Maintained a strong focus on the connection between employee experience and guest experience, ensuring the team was equipped to deliver memorable hospitality.
General Manager
Mia's Italian Kitchen at Alexandria Restaurant Partners
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Led daily restaurant operations with a strong focus on exceptional guest experiences, team performance, and operational excellence.
- Directed and developed a diverse hospitality team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and a positive workplace culture.
- Oversaw staffing, scheduling, labor management, and payroll processes to support efficient operations and business needs.
- Recruited, onboarded, trained, and coached team members while creating a strong foundation for engagement and long-term success.
- Provided ongoing performance feedback and mentorship, helping team members build confidence, strengthen their skills, and grow professionally.
- Managed employee relations and workplace concerns with fairness, professionalism, and a people-first approach.
- Partnered with leadership to implement company standards, improve operational processes, and maintain compliance with organizational policies.
- Balanced the needs of the business, the team, and the guest to create a hospitality environment where people felt supported and empowered to deliver a memorable experience.
Senior II Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
06.2018 - 06.2022
- Led daily restaurant operations for a high-volume location, overseeing staffing, scheduling, labor planning, guest service, and team performance.
- Recruited, interviewed, hired, onboarded, and developed team members and managers to support business needs and maintain strong staffing levels.
- Partnered with leadership across departments to identify operational priorities, improve team performance, and execute company initiatives.
- Managed labor budgets, scheduling, payroll processes, and workforce planning while balancing business demands with employee needs.
- Coached and developed managers and team members through ongoing feedback, performance management, and leadership development.
- Built a culture of accountability, engagement, and service by setting clear expectations and developing future leaders.
- Monitored operational performance and implemented solutions to improve efficiency, team execution, and the overall guest experience.
- Supported compliance with company policies, employment practices, safety standards, and operational procedures.
- Served as a key leadership partner in resolving employee concerns, navigating workplace challenges, and maintaining effective team communication.
- Helped develop internal talent and create advancement opportunities through coaching, cross-training, and succession planning.
Operations Support Technician
The Cheesecake Factory
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Provided operational and administrative support to restaurant leadership, helping teams navigate company systems, processes, and day-to-day operational needs.
- Supported the implementation and adoption of operational programs, procedures, and technology across restaurant teams.
- Served as a resource for managers and employees by troubleshooting system issues, answering process questions, and coordinating solutions with appropriate support teams.
- Maintained accurate records, documentation, and operational information while ensuring teams followed established company procedures.
- Partnered cross-functionally with Operations, Human Resources, Training, IT, and restaurant leadership to resolve issues and improve business processes.
- Assisted with training and communication initiatives designed to improve system adoption, operational consistency, and team effectiveness.
- Identified recurring operational challenges and helped develop practical solutions to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
- Communicated updates, process changes, and company initiatives to restaurant leadership and supported successful execution at the restaurant level.
- Managed multiple priorities and time-sensitive requests while providing responsive support to leaders across the organization.
- Leveraged extensive restaurant operations experience to bridge the gap between corporate processes and real-world restaurant execution.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Skills
Hospitality Operations & Leadership
Employee Experience & Engagement
Team Development & Training
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
Employee Relations & Performance Coaching
Payroll, Labor Management & Compliance
Process Improvement & Operational Systems
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership
Timeline
Talent Acquisition Manager - Alexandria Restaurant Partners
11.2025 - Current
Senior Operations Manager - Cafe Tu Tu Tango at Alexandria Restaurant Partners
05.2023 - 03.2026
General Manager - Mia's Italian Kitchen at Alexandria Restaurant Partners
07.2022 - 05.2023
Senior II Manager - The Cheesecake Factory
06.2018 - 06.2022
Operations Support Technician - The Cheesecake Factory
06.2015 - 06.2018
University of Delaware - Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice
Technical Skills
- HR & Business Systems: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), HR Systems, E-Verify, I-9, HotSchedules, Schoox, Smartsheet, Centric
- Microsoft Office & Technology: Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Digital Documentation & Recordkeeping
- People & Talent: Full-Cycle Recruiting, Candidate Sourcing, Resume Screening, Interviewing, Interview Coordination, New Hire Onboarding, Employee Support, Training & Development
- Operations & Workforce Management: Workforce Planning, Labor Management, Payroll Support, Process Improvement, Process Documentation, Compliance, Cross-Functional Coordination