Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire the team at Buxted Park Hotel to exceed guest expectations.
- Company: Hand Picked Hotels offers unique luxury stays in stunning locations across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a family-owned company that values individuality, community, and creating magical guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Must have experience as a General Manager in luxury hotels with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team and enjoy perks like discounted stays and loyalty awards.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Hand Picked Hotels was founded in 2001 by owner, Chairman and CEO, Julia Hands MBE. Julia’s love of historical buildings, the English countryside, local food and good wine inspired her dream to own a collection of hotels that would celebrate these passions and invite others to share in them. Today, the family-owned group has 21 unique luxury country houses and coastal retreats, each hand picked for their individuality. Architecturally distinctive and quintessentially British, every hotel boasts an extraordinary location from Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering breathtaking views from vast countryside to expansive beaches, to lush woodlands. Dedicated to creating unique and enchanting stays, curated personalised service runs through the heart of every hotel. Whilst each hotel is individual, each property fulfils the company values of family, individuality, community and care, with a team rooted in their commitment to aim higher and delight their guests with magical experiences that offer a true escape from the everyday.
We are currently recruiting an experienced General Manager for Buxted Park Hotel, this stunning hotel is set in the heart of 312 lush acres. Buxted Park is a glorious country hotel in Uckfield where Georgian styling meets modern comfort. The Grade II listed Palladian mansion, set in the finest parkland, makes Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex one of the region’s most renowned rural wedding venues, whilst the award-winning 2 AA Rosette restaurant in Uckfield boasts an exquisite menu.
About the Role
As General Manager you will be fully accountable for exceeding guest expectations, delivering the financial goals and objectives alongside team management and development for the team. As General Manager within Hand Picked Hotels, you are expected to be innovative with excellent leadership skills and a well-rounded knowledge of managing all hotel operations alongside sales, revenue per available room (rev par), profits and guest satisfaction. You will be involved in taking Buxted Park Hotel forward in line with Hand Picked Hotels future strategy and aspirations. You will be responsible for inspiring, motivating, and developing your team to continually surpass our guest expectations, whilst identifying and delivering new revenue streams and opportunities. Leading from the front, you will be an aspirational leader, who thrives on coaching and mentoring your team.
About you
To be considered for this role of General Manager you must have current experience as a General Manager within a luxury country house or boutique hotel environment, with an excellent understanding of food and beverage and high-end weddings and events. This role will suit an experienced General Manager with knowledge of the local area and a proven track record of building and fostering local engagement initiatives and relationships. You must be able to demonstrate a solid commercial acumen, with the ability to drive sales. Be hands-on and enjoy leading from the front. Have experience of business planning, developing and implementing new initiatives to drive sales, whilst delivering a bespoke high-end guest experience. You will have up-to-date knowledge of statutory obligations, including health and safety, compliance, and capital expenditure (capex) management. A proven track record in people management, coaching and development and be an experienced innovator. Proficient in hotel software, Excel and Office 365.
Company Benefits
- A competitive salary package discussed at interview stage.
- Company pension scheme with a generous employer contribution.
- Life assurance.
- Employee Assistance Program to support you with whatever life throws at you.
- Company Sickness Scheme Benefit.
- 33 days including bank holidays.
- Forward career progression, with access to our In House and external training programs, including apprenticeships and other recognised hospitality industry courses which are all supported by our learning and development team.
- Discounted colleague stays in our hotels and on food and drink.
- Annual loyalty awards (like afternoon teas and overnight stays).
- Online retail discount platform offering thousands of savings with high street retailers and restaurants as well as a health and well-being platform.
- Opportunity to make lifelong friendships and be part of a team that celebrates Diversity and Inclusion.
General Manager employer: Hand Picked Hotels Ltd
Contact Detail:
Hand Picked Hotels Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Hand Picked Hotels' values and mission. Understanding their commitment to individuality, community, and care will help you align your leadership style with their expectations, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the local hospitality scene in East Sussex. Building relationships with local businesses and event planners can demonstrate your commitment to fostering community engagement, which is crucial for the General Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your innovative ideas for enhancing guest experiences during any informal discussions or interviews. Being able to present fresh concepts for revenue streams or guest satisfaction will highlight your proactive approach and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with high-end weddings and events in detail. Since this role involves managing a renowned wedding venue, demonstrating your expertise in this area will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a General Manager in a luxury hotel environment. Focus on your achievements in guest satisfaction, team management, and financial performance to align with the values of Hand Picked Hotels.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality and your understanding of the unique offerings at Buxted Park Hotel. Mention specific examples of how you've exceeded guest expectations and driven sales in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you inspire and develop your team. Provide examples of successful coaching or mentoring experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead from the front.
Highlight Local Engagement: Discuss your knowledge of the local area and any initiatives you've implemented to foster community relationships. This will show your commitment to building local engagement, which is important for the role at Hand Picked Hotels.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hand Picked Hotels Ltd
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a General Manager, your leadership abilities are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've inspired and motivated your team in previous roles. Highlight any innovative strategies you've implemented to enhance team performance and guest satisfaction.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
The role requires a solid understanding of driving sales and managing financial goals. Come equipped with data or examples that showcase your success in increasing revenue, managing budgets, or implementing new initiatives that positively impacted the bottom line.
✨Know the Local Area
Familiarity with the local area is essential for building community relationships and engaging with guests. Research Uckfield and its surroundings, and be ready to discuss how you can leverage local knowledge to enhance guest experiences and foster partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully resolved issues related to guest complaints, team dynamics, or operational challenges, and be ready to share those stories.
