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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our vibrant Bar & Grill, ensuring top-notch service and guest satisfaction.
- Company: Join Dakota Hotels, a stylish and growing lifestyle brand with a focus on exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, mental health support, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting new hotel opening and shape the guest experience from day one.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in restaurant management and leadership in a cocktail bar environment required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team recognised as a Top Employer in Hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re preparing to open our largest hotel yet, Dakota Manchester Airport, launching in early summer 2026. This brand‑new property will feature our signature Bar & Grill and deliver the exceptional guest experience Dakota is known for.
Contract and Pay Rate
The role carries a permanent contract of 45 hours per week, working fully flexible shifts on any 5 days out of 7, including weekends. It comes with a competitive salary, a target‑based bonus, and a planned start date of 1 May 2026.
Primary Role Responsibilities
- Serve as the custodian of our F&B operation, owning service delivery across all food and beverage areas and maintaining the highest levels of service to all guests.
- Work closely with the management team, especially the Head Chef, and with Reception to increase resident‑to‑diner ratios, ensuring the full Dakota experience.
- Drive the commercial running of F&B, including managing payroll, rota development, bookings diary, sequence of service, and a culture of sales through service.
- Maintain full understanding of supplier contracts, oversee accurate stock takes and effective orders.
- Act as direct line manager for the Assistant Restaurant Manager, Assistant Bar Manager and F&B seniors, developing their knowledge and enthusiasm for food and beverage.
- Collaborate with HR to support all F&B team members, including the interview process, ongoing training, appraisals, one‑to‑one meetings and training plan implementation.
Benefits
- Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including free private mental health support and counselling, video GP consultations, prescription services, and daily rewards for shopping vouchers.
- Support from our in‑house Mental Health Champions.
- Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment.
- Family‑friendly flexible working options.
- Meals on duty and uniforming.
- Bonuses for referring friends and every mention on Trip Advisor.
- Accredited, certified compliance training at employment.
- Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System.
- Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives or a Personal Development Plan.
- Opportunities for internal and external training courses, including potential for in‑house apprenticeships.
About Dakota Hotels
Dakota is a growing UK‑based lifestyle brand, known for stylish hotels, bustling brasserie grills and upscale cocktail bars. Starting with two boutique hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we have expanded into prime city‑centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, with Manchester Airport arriving soon and more in our pipeline. Dakota is synonymous with delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard‑working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards. Our inclusive culture has earned us recognition as a Top 15 Best Employer in Hospitality for six consecutive years and placement in the Top 10 employers in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for two years. As recent winners of The Cateys “People Team of the Year”, we offer award‑winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy, fostering continuous development. Over 75% of our leaders are promoted internally, and for five consecutive years a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award.
Applicant Requirements
- At least three years’ experience as a Restaurant Manager or above in a similar calibre of full‑service restaurant (required).
- At least one year’s experience in a leadership position overseeing beverage in a cocktail bar environment (required).
- Experience working in a hotel environment, including Duty Manager, preferable.
- Holding a valid personal licence, preferable.
- Fully flexible in working shifts, including evenings and weekends (required).
- Enthusiastic promotion of our culture of positivity.
- Task‑oriented with great pride for work and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated research of our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.
Apply
Please send us your up‑to‑date CV. For more information on our luxury hotel, visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and find your #DreamRolesAtDakota – we’d love to hear from you!
Bar & Restaurant Manager - Dakota Manchester Airport opening summer 2026 employer: Dakota Hotels
Contact Detail:
Dakota Hotels Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bar & Restaurant Manager - Dakota Manchester Airport opening summer 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Dakota! Before your interview, dive into our brand's values and culture. This will help you connect with us and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the Dakota family.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work at Dakota.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about your past experiences in managing teams and delivering exceptional service. We want to hear how you’ve handled challenges in the F&B industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Bar & Restaurant Manager - Dakota Manchester Airport opening summer 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about delivering exceptional guest experiences, just like we do at Dakota.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in food and beverage management. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've driven service excellence and managed teams, so don’t hold back!
Research Dakota: Take some time to learn about our brand and what makes us unique. Mentioning specific aspects of Dakota in your application will show us that you’re serious about joining our team and understand our values.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about our exciting new hotel opening!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dakota Hotels
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Dakota's values and what makes their guest experience exceptional. Familiarise yourself with their Bar & Grill concept and think about how you can contribute to that unique atmosphere.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Bar & Restaurant Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as this is key for Dakota.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and customer service approach. Think of specific situations where you turned a negative guest experience into a positive one, or how you handled staffing challenges during busy periods.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the training programmes at Dakota Academy or how they foster a culture of positivity among staff. This shows your genuine interest in being part of their team.
