At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hospitality operations and create exceptional experiences at RSA House.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in cultural hospitality for over 25 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, personal development, and a range of wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a historic venue with a creative mission.
- Qualifications: Experience in premium hospitality management and strong leadership skills required.
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
General Manager - The Royal Society of Arts employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
At Company of Cooks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration. As the General Manager at RSA House in London, you will not only lead a diverse team in a prestigious venue but also contribute to meaningful social impact through our unique hospitality operations. With a strong focus on personal development, competitive benefits, and a supportive environment, we empower our employees to grow and excel in their careers while enjoying the perks of working in one of the UK's most iconic cultural destinations.
Contact Details:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - The Royal Society of Arts
✨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 panel.
✨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 as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - The Royal Society of Arts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your passion for hospitality and events aligns with our mission at RSA House.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that matches the job description. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this unique opportunity!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know the Venue Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research RSA House and its unique offerings. Familiarise yourself with their event spaces, hospitality services, and the types of events they host. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to align with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a General Manager, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading diverse teams and how you've inspired them in previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've managed multiple hospitality streams and driven commercial success.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since this role involves managing budgets and achieving financial targets, be ready to talk about your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you've successfully developed pricing strategies or improved profitability in past positions.
✨Engage with Client Relationship Management
This position requires exceptional client relationship skills. Prepare to discuss how you've built and maintained strong relationships with clients in the past. Highlight any strategies you've used to translate client visions into operational realities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
