At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant pub, ensuring exceptional food and drink experiences.
- Company: Craft Locals, a people-focused pub group with a passion for hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunities for genuine progression within a growing company.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and create memorable experiences in a welcoming environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing busy pubs and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
£45,000 + up to 7% EBIT bonus + Loyalty Pot + Ownership Pathway + share of card tips
Food-Led Pub | Cask Ale | People-First Leadership
We’re looking for an exceptional General Manager to lead one of our food-led country pubs — someone who believes that great hospitality starts with great people, well-cooked food, and beautifully kept cask ale.
The newest addition to Craft Locals is currently undergoing extensive renovations ready to open March 2026. Located in the outskirts of Rickmansworth, just a short walk from the Aquadrome and Bishop's Wood Country Park, The Rose & Crown is a welcoming, country pub with deep local roots and a bright new chapter ahead. Perfectly placed for locals, walkers and visitors alike, it’s a pub designed for relaxed pints, great food and good company.
Inside, you’ll find a proper pub atmosphere, with a carefully curated range of real ales and thoughtfully chosen wines, supported by fresh, seasonal food and excellent, friendly service. The Rose & Crown is a place where traditional pub values meet modern standards of hospitality.
Our kitchen delivers fresh, seasonal menus built around classic pub favourites, using quality ingredients and contemporary touches. On Sundays, we’re all about exceptional roasts, with perfectly cooked meats, crisp unlimited roast potatoes, seasonal veg and rich gravies worth coming back for.
With outdoor seating for warmer days, a strong sense of community and a passion for great hospitality, The Rose & Crown is a pub where locals return time and again — a place to eat well, drink better and feel at home.
This is a role for a calm, confident leader who enjoys running a busy pub without sacrificing standards. You’ll take pride in thoughtful service, attention to detail, and creating an environment where guests feel genuinely looked after and teams feel supported, developed, and proud of what they do.
You’ll work closely with your Head Chef to deliver a seasonal, well-executed food offer, alongside a cask ale range that’s treated with the care and respect it deserves. Events, menus, and supplier relationships are shaped collaboratively — with strong head office support to help you deliver them properly, not just launch them quickly.
About you
- You’re an experienced General Manager who:
- Leads from the floor with warmth, clarity, and consistency
- Enjoys developing people and building knowledgeable, engaged teams
- Understands the importance of food quality, beer standards, and pacing
- Takes ownership of standards while valuing structure and support
- Cares as much about culture as you do about commercial performance
- You build great pubs that people want to return to.
What the role involves
- Leading and developing a strong front-of-house team
- Working in close partnership with the Head Chef
- Delivering consistently high standards across food, drink, and service
- Creating memorable guest experiences and well-run events
- Developing your team through training, coaching, and clear leadership
- Running the business with commercial confidence, while maintaining full compliance and best practice
What’s in it for you
- A supportive, hands-on head office team that helps you succeed
- Clear structure, realistic expectations, and room to do things properly
- Company incentives and perks
- 50% off food and 20% off drinks across all venues
- 28 days holiday
- Training and communication via AllGravy
- WSET opportunities
- Genuine progression within a small, growing group (currently three sites)
What we’re looking for
- Proven experience running a busy, quality-focused pub
- A passion for food and well-kept beer (especially cask)
- Strong people leadership and recruitment skills
- Confidence in financial management and commercial decision-making
- High standards and a genuine eye for detail
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
About Us
Craft Locals is a growing group of people-focused pubs, dedicated to delivering exceptional food, well-kept cask ale, and memorable guest experiences. We believe great pubs start with great teams, and we invest in our people — giving them the support, training, and tools they need to shine.
We’ve built systems that make running a pub straightforward and compliant, so our teams can focus on what really matters: welcoming guests and delivering an outstanding experience. From reservations to stock, scheduling to events, we use a suite of best-in-class tools to simplify operations and keep everything running smoothly.
At Craft Locals, we’re proud to combine a love of people, food, and drink with smart systems and strong support — creating pubs that teams enjoy working in and guests love visiting.
General Manager employer: Craft Locals - Rose & Crown
Craft Locals is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first leadership approach, ensuring that both staff and guests feel valued and supported. With a strong focus on employee development, generous perks such as 50% off food and 20% off drinks, and a commitment to creating a positive work culture, The Rose & Crown offers a unique opportunity for General Managers to thrive in a vibrant, community-oriented environment. Located in the picturesque outskirts of Rickmansworth, this newly renovated pub is set to become a beloved local destination, making it an exciting place to build a rewarding career in hospitality.
Contact Details:
Craft Locals - Rose & Crown Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and chat with people in the industry. Attend local events, join pub-related groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at places you admire. You never know when a casual conversation might lead to your next big opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show up in person! If you’re eyeing a specific pub, pop in for a pint or a meal. Chat with the staff, soak up the atmosphere, and let them know you’re interested in joining the team. It’s a great way to make a memorable impression and show your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by knowing the pub inside out. Research their menu, understand their values, and think about how you can contribute to their success. When you walk in with that knowledge, it shows you care and are ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest openings and applying directly shows you’re serious about joining our team. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for hospitality shine through! Share your experiences with food and drink, especially cask ale, and how you’ve created memorable guest experiences in the past.
Be Authentic:We want to know the real you! Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. Talk about your leadership style and how you develop and support your team — we value authenticity.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail your experience running busy pubs and managing teams. We’re looking for someone who understands the importance of quality and standards, so give us examples that demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you on the path to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Craft Locals - Rose & Crown
✨Know Your Pub Culture
Before the interview, dive deep into the pub's culture and values. Understand what makes The Rose & Crown special and how it connects with the local community. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their people-first leadership approach.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you develop teams. Share specific examples of how you've built engaged teams in previous roles, focusing on training and support. This is crucial for a role that emphasises strong people leadership.
✨Passion for Quality Food and Drink
Express your passion for food quality and well-kept cask ale during the interview. Be prepared to talk about your experience with seasonal menus and how you ensure high standards in both food and drink offerings. This shows you understand the importance of the pub's core values.
✨Prepare Questions About Collaboration
Think of insightful questions to ask about collaboration with the Head Chef and the head office team. This demonstrates your willingness to work closely with others to deliver exceptional guest experiences and highlights your understanding of the role's collaborative nature.
