At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead premium hospitality operations and create unforgettable experiences at RSA House.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in the UK’s vibrant hospitality scene.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, personal development, health support, and a great work-life balance.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a historic venue that supports creativity for all.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in premium hospitality management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 78000 £ per year.
We are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we’ve been part of some of the UK’s most loved cultural destinations, from historic palaces and botanical gardens to buzzing galleries and performance spaces, running the cafés, restaurants, bars and events that bring these incredible places to life. We’re looking for a General Manager to work with us at RSA House in London.
About RSA House: RSA House is the historic home of The RSA, a global charity and community dedicated to creativity for the good of all. The House itself is a unique mix of both world famous historic rooms and modern event spaces. It is a living art gallery, constantly evolving through exhibitions, installations, talks and performances. Alongside our 13 event spaces, RSA House is also home to public facing hospitality and cultural spaces including The Coffee House, Muse our cocktail bar and the RSA Library. We host a wide range of events, from high profile corporate conferences, brand launches and screenings, to awards dinners, receptions, weddings and private celebrations. Every event delivered at RSA House directly supports the work of The RSA. Our internal client is The RSA itself, meaning that commercial success and purpose are closely connected. This is a rare opportunity to work in a venue where revenue directly contributes to positive social impact.
Rate of pay: Up to £78,000 per annum + bonus (OTE £91,500)
Working pattern: 40 hours per week, (5 out of 7 days)
Location: London, WC2N 6EZ
About the Role: This is not a typical General Manager role. It is a highly strategic, client-facing position with full responsibility for hospitality and commercial operations within a prestigious cost-plus contract. We are looking for a confident and commercially astute leader who can turn a client’s vision into operational reality. You will inherit a strong and well-established client relationship and play a key role in driving commercial performance, operational excellence, and exceptional service standards. The successful candidate will oversee a diverse hospitality operation, including a premium café, bar, and extensive events programme. You will have full responsibility for the sales and marketing strategy, ensuring all offers are innovative, commercially successful, and aligned with both client expectations and business objectives. This role also has overall accountability for menu development, offer structure, and pricing strategy, ensuring all food and beverage concepts are attractive, competitive, and profitable. Success in this role will require outstanding stakeholder management, strong financial awareness, and the ability to lead and inspire a diverse team in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead all operational aspects of the account, ensuring exceptional service standards across café, bar, hospitality, and events.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the client, building and maintaining a strong and trusted relationship.
- Translate the client’s vision into innovative and effective operational delivery.
- Manage multiple hospitality offers, including a premium café, bar, and a varied programme of corporate and private events.
- Develop and oversee the sales and marketing strategy to drive revenue growth and maximise commercial opportunities.
- Take ownership of all menu offers, structure, and pricing to ensure strong customer appeal and profitability.
- Drive commercial performance, profitability, and achievement of financial targets.
- Lead, inspire, and develop a diverse team of approximately 30 employees.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and food safety standards.
- Maintain a strong focus on customer experience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Our Ideal Candidate:
- Proven experience as a General Manager within premium hospitality.
- Strong commercial and financial management skills, with experience managing budgets and delivering financial targets.
- Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing multiple hospitality streams, including café, bar, and events.
- Strong understanding of sales, marketing, and business development.
- Experience in menu planning, offer development, and pricing strategy.
- Ability to lead, inspire, and develop a multi-disciplinary team.
- Strategic mindset with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience within bespoke, corporate, or other high-profile hospitality environments is highly desirable.
- Strong leadership presence and the ability to build a positive team culture.
What's in it for you?
- Working with CH&Co has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Pension scheme.
- Holiday allowance.
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion.
- Eye care.
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance.
- Family friendly support.
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders.
- A holiday purchase scheme.
- Volunteering days.
- Professional subscriptions.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Long service awards.
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers.
Strategic General Manager - Premium Hospitality & Events employer: Company of Cooks
At Company of Cooks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at RSA House in London, where your efforts directly contribute to positive social impact. Our vibrant work culture fosters personal development and teamwork, supported by a comprehensive benefits package that includes training opportunities, health support, and regular social events. Join us to lead a diverse team in a prestigious environment, where innovation and excellence in hospitality are at the forefront of everything we do.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic General Manager - Premium Hospitality & Events
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic General Manager - Premium Hospitality & Events
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for the hospitality industry shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your enthusiasm and how you've contributed to creating memorable guest experiences in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the unique aspects of the General Manager role at RSA House. Highlight your strategic mindset and any relevant experience managing multiple hospitality streams, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Demonstrate Financial Acumen:Since this role involves driving commercial performance, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully managed budgets and achieved financial targets in your past positions. This will help us see your strong commercial and financial management skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Company of Cooks!
How to prepare for a job interview at Company of Cooks
✨Know Your Venue
Familiarise yourself with RSA House and its unique offerings. Understand the blend of historic and modern spaces, and think about how you can enhance the guest experience in this environment. This knowledge will show your genuine interest and help you connect your ideas to their vision.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss your approach to developing sales and marketing strategies. Think of specific examples where you've successfully driven revenue growth or improved service standards in previous roles. Highlight your ability to translate client visions into operational realities.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your experience managing budgets and achieving financial targets. Bring examples of how you've optimised menu pricing or developed profitable offers. This role requires a strong understanding of commercial performance, so make sure you can back up your claims with data.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Prepare to discuss how you've built and maintained strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Share stories that illustrate your communication skills and ability to inspire a diverse team. This is key for success in a client-facing role like this one.
