At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant restaurant, creating memorable guest experiences and driving commercial success.
- Company: Exciting restaurant celebrating South African culture and cuisine in London Bridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, staff discounts, and wine training opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a culture-driven brand and make an impact with your passion for South African hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-quality restaurants and a genuine connection to South Africa.
- Other info: Autonomy to shape the business and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London Bridge, London
Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 per year (inclusive) + Bonus + Benefits
This isn’t our usual area of focus, but we’re supporting a valued client on a key hire within their London restaurant. Our client is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a well-established London Bridge restaurant, known for celebrating the very best of South African food, wine, and hospitality.
This is not just another GM role. They are looking for someone who truly connects with South African culture — whether through personal ties, heritage, or a genuine passion for its cuisine, wines, and vibrant spirit.
The Role
As General Manager, you will take full ownership of the restaurant’s performance, team, and guest experience. You’ll be responsible for driving commercial success while ensuring every guest leaves with a memorable experience rooted in genuine hospitality. A key part of the role will be championing and evolving unique, interactive tableside experiences — ensuring they are delivered consistently, confidently, and with genuine flair.
What We’re Looking For
- A proven General Manager with strong experience in high-quality, high-volume restaurants
- A genuine connection to South Africa — through background, experience, or strong personal interest
- A natural host who thrives on creating memorable, interactive guest experiences
- Passion for service theatre and the ability to bring energy to tableside moments
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving revenue and profitability
- A hands-on leader who inspires, develops, and retains high-performing teams
- Strong food and wine knowledge; interest in South African wines is highly desirable
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a passionate front and back-of-house team
- Deliver outstanding guest experiences aligned to a South African-inspired identity
- Champion and embed engaging tableside service moments across the team
- Drive sales through events, wine experiences, and local engagement
- Manage P&L, budgets, and operational efficiency
- Maintain high standards across service, food quality, and compliance
- Act as a brand ambassador for the business
What’s on Offer
- Salary of £55,000 – £60,000 per year (inclusive)
- Performance-based bonus
- Autonomy to shape the business and drive growth
- Staff discounts and wine training opportunities
- Opportunity to be part of a culture-led, experience-driven brand
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to lead a restaurant that is as much about culture, theatre, and storytelling as it is about food and drink. If you have a genuine love for South Africa and the leadership capability to match, we’d love to hear from you.
General Manager in City of London employer: Collage Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Collage Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with people in the restaurant industry, especially those who share a passion for South African culture. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your personality during interviews! This role is all about creating memorable experiences, so let your passion for South African food and hospitality shine through. Share stories that highlight your connection to the culture and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you would handle specific scenarios related to guest experiences or team management. Practising these responses can help you demonstrate your hands-on leadership style and commercial acumen effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the brand. Don’t forget to follow up after submitting your application to keep your name fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for South Africa: Make sure to highlight your connection to South African culture in your application. Whether it's through personal experiences, heritage, or a love for the cuisine and wines, let us see that genuine passion shine through!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the General Manager role. We want to see how your background fits perfectly with our client’s needs.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a General Manager, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in high-quality, high-volume restaurants.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collage Recruitment
✨Know Your South African Culture
Make sure you brush up on South African cuisine, wines, and hospitality. Share personal stories or experiences that connect you to the culture during the interview. This will show your genuine passion and help you stand out.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-quality, high-volume restaurants. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you inspire and develop your team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with P&L management, budgets, and driving revenue. Bring specific examples of how you've improved profitability in previous roles, as this is crucial for the General Manager position.
✨Engage with Tableside Service Ideas
Think about innovative tableside service moments you could implement. Be prepared to share your ideas on how to create memorable, interactive experiences for guests, as this aligns perfectly with the role's requirements.