At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant pub, ensuring exceptional food and drink experiences for guests.
- Company: Craft Locals, a people-focused pub group dedicated to great hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunities for progression and professional development in a growing company.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in a welcoming community pub.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing busy pubs with a passion for food and cask ale.
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 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 — including AllGravy, MarketMan, Harri, S4Labour, Lightspeed, Trail, FoodAlert and SevenRooms — 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.
Pub General Manager: Lead Food, Beer & Team employer: Craft Locals - Rose & Crown
Craft Locals is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a supportive environment for its team members at The Rose & Crown. With a focus on professional development, generous employee benefits including discounts and training opportunities, and a commitment to maintaining high standards in food and service, this growing group of pubs ensures that both staff and guests enjoy a welcoming atmosphere. Located near beautiful outdoor spaces, employees can thrive in a vibrant community while contributing to memorable guest experiences.
Contact Details:
Craft Locals - Rose & Crown Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pub General Manager: Lead Food, Beer & Team
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pub scene in your area! Visit local pubs, chat with staff, and understand what makes them tick. This will not only give you insights into the industry but also help you build connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend hospitality events or join local pub groups on social media. Engaging with others in the industry can open doors and give you a leg up when applying for roles like General Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share examples of how you've developed teams and improved service standards. They want to see that you can lead with warmth and clarity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our Craft Locals family, where we value great people just as much as great food and drink.
We think you need these skills to ace Pub General Manager: Lead Food, Beer & Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for great food, cask ale, and exceptional service shine through. We want to see how you connect with the values of our pub and how you can contribute to creating memorable experiences for our guests.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a General Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your people leadership skills in your application. Share examples of how you've developed teams and created a positive work culture in your previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We’re looking for proven experience in running busy pubs, so don’t hold back! Detail your past roles, focusing on your achievements in food quality, beer standards, and guest satisfaction. The more specific you are, the better!
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 at The Rose & Crown. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our 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 values strong people leadership.
✨Passion for 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.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain standards under pressure. Think of examples where you've successfully managed busy periods while ensuring excellent service and compliance.
