At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a dynamic team across Ireland, Scotland, and North England.
- Company: Join First Table, a leading hospitality tech company revolutionising dining experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Regular travel across the region and a vibrant, fast-paced work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the hospitality industry while connecting diners with amazing restaurants.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in commercial teams and a passion for hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
This candidate needs to be based in Northern England, or Scotland.
About First Table
At First Table, our vision is simple: to be the first place diners go to book a table. Proudly established in Queenstown, New Zealand - where our head office is based - we've been leading the charge in the hospitality tech industry for over a decade, with operations spanning New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. First Table now offers our great dining experiences at amazing restaurants across the UK. Following the recent city launches in Bournemouth, Leicester, Norwich, and Southampton, we are doubling down on building a strong presence and connected team across the UK. First Table is a dining discovery platform that connects diners to restaurants through their love of food. Through our clever tech, we help restaurants get their night off to a great start and give diners a compelling reason to try somewhere new. It’s a win-win situation. From early bird offers to last table reservations, we make discovering and booking great dining experiences fast, easy, and rewarding. At the heart of everything we do are our values: Grow Together, Win-Win-Win, and Own It. These guide how we show up for each other, our restaurant partners, and our diners and they’re a big part of what makes First Table a great place to work.
The Role
This is a senior regional leadership role owning the commercial performance of First Table across Ireland, Scotland and the North of England, a portfolio spanning established cities, growth markets, and potential future launch opportunities. You'll lead a team of Senior/Business Development Managers and be accountable for the full commercial health of the region in your patch: restaurant supply, local partnerships and the regional target that allows the business to hit our ambitious goals. This isn't a pure sales management role, it's regional management. The pace is fast. You'll move between coaching a BDM on pipeline in Glasgow, reviewing city-level booking data for Dublin, unblocking a local partnership in Manchester, and building the case for where we go deeper often in the same week.
What You'll Own
- Lead and grow BDMs across Ireland, Scotland and North England
- Own supply targets: acquisition, activation, retention
- Set territory strategy — focus areas, book balance, headroom
- Hire and onboard as the region scales
- Demand generation (with Marketing)
- Regional voice into Marketing: city needs, local moments, supply readiness
- Co-own city demand plans so spend lands where supply can convert it
- Feed local insight — seasonality, events, trends — into campaigns
- Revenue & city health
- Own regional revenue via booking volume
- Track city health: supply, conversion, utilisation, repeat rates, balance
- Fix underperforming cities; scale what works in top ones
- Shape expansion calls — new markets vs. deepening existing
- Local partnerships
- Build partnerships: restaurant groups, hospitality bodies, tourism, media, events
- Be the senior face of First Table across your region
What Success Looks Like
- Supply: net live restaurant growth and improved density in every priority city
- Demand: booking growth in cities where marketing investment is deployed, with strong conversion of new diners
- Revenue: regional booking revenue against target
- Team: BDM performance, retention and progression; books managed at healthy capacity
- City health: fewer cities in supply/demand imbalance quarter over quarter
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading field-based commercial teams (BDMs, territory sales, or account management) across a multi-city or multi-country region
- Marketplace, hospitality tech, food delivery, bookings or similar two-sided business experience strongly preferred, you understand that supply and demand must be managed together
- Commercially rigorous: comfortable owning a revenue number and working from data (city dashboards, cohort metrics, pipeline analytics) to make territory decisions
- A builder's mindset: happy operating with pace and ambiguity, closing gaps yourself when needed, and creating playbooks rather than waiting for them
- Strong cross-functional operator, able to partner credibly with marketing on demand plans
- Genuine affinity for hospitality and independent restaurants; credible in a conversation with an owner-operator
- Based within the region (or willing to relocate) this is a market-facing role, and being on the ground matters. You'll be visible in your cities: visiting partners, working alongside your BDMs in the field, and building local networks.
- Regular travel across Ireland, Scotland and Northern England is part of the rhythm of the role
- A candidate based in region, or willing to relocate
Please submit a cover letter with your application. First Table is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, and reasonable adjustments for interviews or the role.
Area Manager — Ireland, Scotland & North England employer: First Table
At First Table, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer in the hospitality tech industry, with a strong presence across the UK. Our values of Grow Together, Win-Win-Win, and Own It foster a collaborative work culture that encourages personal and professional growth, while our commitment to flexible working arrangements ensures a healthy work-life balance. Join us in shaping the future of dining experiences, where your contributions will be valued and rewarded in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Manager — Ireland, Scotland & North England
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like First Table. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to First Table
Don't be shy about reaching out to First Table directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager — Ireland, Scotland & North England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about First Table and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Table
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
