At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic hospitality operation at RSA House, ensuring exceptional service and innovative offerings.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in premium hospitality at iconic cultural venues.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, personal development, health support, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting hospitality with positive social change at a historic venue.
- Qualifications: Proven 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.
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 in London 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. Located in the heart of London at RSA House, our team enjoys unique opportunities for personal and professional growth while contributing to meaningful events that support a global charity. With competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we ensure that our staff feel valued and inspired every day.
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 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. 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. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - The Royal Society of Arts in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about hospitality and making a positive impact at RSA House.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in premium hospitality and client relationship management. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs!
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your skills in financial management and team leadership. We appreciate concrete evidence of your achievements!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
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 knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a General Manager, you'll need to lead a diverse team. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams, driven performance, and inspired others. Highlight your ability to create a positive team culture and how you’ve navigated challenges in high-pressure environments.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
This role requires strong commercial and financial management skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting, financial targets, and revenue growth strategies. Bring specific examples of how you've improved profitability in previous roles, especially in hospitality settings.
✨Engage with Client Relationship Management
Since this position involves acting as the primary point of contact for clients, prepare to discuss your approach to building and maintaining strong client relationships. Share instances where you've translated a client's vision into operational success, showcasing your stakeholder management skills.
