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- Tasks: Lead operations at a vibrant student accommodation, ensuring a supportive environment for residents.
- Company: Fresh is an award-winning provider of student accommodation with over 20,000 beds across the UK & Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health cash plans, exclusive discounts, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on students' lives while fostering a positive and engaging atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in residential management and strong problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team focused on creating exceptional living experiences for students.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Here at Fresh we are are recruiting a dynamic, people-focused General Manager to lead operations at our 150 bed student accommodation development Stanley Studios in Portsmouth.
As the senior leader on site, you\’ll need to be a decisive, commercially minded manager able to lead from the front and drive results across performance management, sales, compliance and customer experience.
The Role:
As General Manager you will have full accountability for the commercial and operational performance of the building. You will lead all site operations with a strong focus on driving sales maximising occupancy and delivering against business KPIs. Through tight operational control, effective forecasting and robust performance management you will ensure the site operates efficiently while delivering strong financial results and an outstanding customer experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Proactively drive and convert sales by working towards business-wide KPIs, while motivating and supporting team members to achieve their targets.
- Control site budgets, forecasting and expenditure
- Oversee all aspects of site operations, ensuring site operates safely, efficiently and remains fully compliant
- Act as the primary representative of the Fresh brand, managing stakeholder and client relationships
- Recruit, lead and develop the on-site team including performance management in line with company policies.
- Own the end-to-end resident journey from enquiry to check out
- Drive forward service standards, resident satisfaction and continuous improvement
About you:
You\’re a hands-on commercially minded leader with experience taking full responsibility for a residential, hospitality or service led operation.
You will bring:
- Proven leadership and people management experience
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with a track record of delivering sales or revenue targets
- Confidence in managing compliance, safety and operational risk
- A genuine passion for people, service and community-building
- The ability to make decisions under pressure and lead from the front
Think you hold these qualities and skills? Apply today!
Success in this role means maintaining consistently high occupancy levels with strong rebooker rates, delivering positive NPS results, and fostering an engaged, high-performing team. The postholder will ensure exceptional client feedback, uphold full compliance with zero major audit issues, and create a thriving, vibrant resident community where people feel supported, connected, and proud to live.
Benefits of working at Fresh?
We offer:
- A dedicated Training team to assist you with development of your on-job training.
- A generous holiday entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays to recharge and enjoy life beyond work.
- An in-house Learning & Development team to support you with personal and professional development including vocational qualifications.
- Health cash plan to contribute to everyday healthcare expenses.
- Access to \’Your Wellbeing\’ programme & OpenUp – a confidential wellbeing platform.
- Stay active and take advantage of our cycle to work scheme.
- Access to exclusive shopping discounts to help your money go further!
- Life Insurance for peace of mind.
- Be part of an award-winning culture that celebrates excellence and innovation.
- Work in an environment with a strong focus on wellbeing and community connection.
- Join a business recognised for delivering market-leading resident satisfaction.
- Benefit from clear opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation.
About Fresh:
Fresh are a multi award-winning student accommodation provider with over 20,000 beds in our portfolio across the UK & Ireland. We\’re looking for someone to support their residents and the wider operational team.
We create great places to live, built on the simple principle that the people around you can make a huge difference to your way of life. If you\’re a people person who loves working collaboratively and is great at making things happen, then you\’ll fit right in!
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General Manager employer: FRESH.
Contact Detail:
FRESH. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges of student accommodation management. Understanding the unique environment of a student living space will help you demonstrate your ability to create a supportive atmosphere for residents during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure situations. Highlighting your experience in fostering collaboration and motivating staff will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Fresh as a company and their values. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding resident engagement and operational excellence, will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Fresh if possible. Gaining insights into the company culture and expectations can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach and show genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing residential establishments. Focus on your leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and any previous roles that involved overseeing operations or teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for creating a positive living environment for residents. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved operational efficiency in past roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: During the application process, emphasise your leadership style and how it aligns with Fresh's values. Discuss how you foster collaboration and encourage team members to excel, as this is crucial for the General Manager role.
Highlight Problem-Solving Skills: Since the role requires effective management under pressure, provide examples of challenges you've faced in previous positions and how you successfully navigated them. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at FRESH.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a General Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading teams, how you motivate others, and the strategies you use to create a positive work environment.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
This role requires someone who thrives in a problem-solving environment. Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in past roles and how you successfully navigated them, particularly in a residential or hospitality setting.
✨Understand the Importance of Resident Experience
Fresh values the living experience of its residents. Be ready to articulate your vision for creating a supportive and engaging atmosphere, and share any relevant initiatives you've implemented in previous positions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Operational Management
Since you'll be overseeing budgets and liaising with stakeholders, brush up on your operational management skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budget management and how you ensure operational efficiency.