At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant dining experience and manage front-of-house operations.
- Company: The Candover, a relaxed country pub in the beautiful Hampshire countryside.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, service charge, career development, and unique supplier trips.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact on guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in service leadership and strong guest relations skills.
- Other info: Enjoy a positive culture with opportunities for growth in hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 39000 £ per year.
Dining Manager Near Basingstoke
Full/part-time
Base salary + Service Charge
Estimated earnings potential of £30k-£39k per annum
Are you ready to lead an exquisite dining experience within the Hampshire countryside, offering exceptional standards without formality or stuffiness? Do you feel passionate about providing a warm, professional, catering service to every guest walking through the door?
About The Candover:
The Candover is a relaxed country pub with rooms set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. With timber and stone floors, limewashed walls, antique furnishings and a cosy bar with open fires, it is the kind of place you wander into after a walk and feel instantly at home. While contemporary, attentive hospitality underpins everything we do, our approach remains simple, traditional and welcoming, offering great beer, fantastic wine and exceptional food cooked over fire and wood. Warmth, professionalism and personality sit at the heart of everything we do.
We take inspiration from modern British dining and pair it with the warmth and generosity of Mediterranean hospitality, creating dishes and drinks that feel relaxed, vibrant and full of flavour. Celebrating quality produce and natural flavours, our food is confident but never fussy. Expect flame-grilled meats, seasonal vegetables and lighter plates that bring balance and freshness. Each dish is prepared to be both comforting and contemporary, offering the kind of food you want to eat every day but made with the care and attention that makes it feel special.
About The Role:
We are looking for an experienced Dining Manager to offer a unique opportunity to develop or refine their skills outside of London but equating in standards. As Dining Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring this vision is delivered consistently across all guest touchpoints — from the main dining areas and pub service to private dining and hotel rooms.
Why Work with Us?
The beating heart of The Candover is its staff, which is why we have embedded a fantastic working environment and supportive culture into our foundations. In addition to working amongst beautiful surroundings, we passionately offer clear career development pathways to invest in the development of our team. Alongside, other benefits of working with us can include occasional unique supplier trips, meaningful role‑specific benefits, and a positive and collaborative culture. The Candover is a workplace where growth, wellbeing, and great experiences go hand in hand.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and uphold a service style that is relaxed, confident, and highly professional
- Actively manage guest feedback, ensuring issues are resolved and expectations exceeded
- Recruit, onboard, train, and develop front-of-house team members
- Build a positive, inclusive team culture that encourages engagement and retention
- Oversee day-to-day front-of-house operations across dining, pub, and room service
- Ensure portion control, waste management, and stock usage are effectively monitored
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, licensing, and company policies
- Take ownership of the guest journey and continuously seek opportunities to improve
- Drive a culture of pride, accountability, and hospitality excellence
- Act as a key operational link between kitchen, front-of-house, and senior management
What We’re Looking For:
- Confident, polished, and professional service leadership
- Strong guest‑relations skills with proactive problem‑solving
- Recruitment, onboarding, and people‑development capability
- Ability to build an inclusive, positive, high‑performing team culture
- Excellent operational oversight across multiple service areas
- Strong understanding of portion control, waste reduction, and stock usage
- Solid knowledge of health & safety, licensing, and compliance standards
- Ownership mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
- Ability to drive accountability, standards, and pride across the team
- Effective communication and coordination skills
Tips are pooled and distributed fairly and transparently by our appointed troncmaster in line with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023.
Apply now for the opportunity of progression within a professional, supportive environment and build a long-term career in hospitality.
Dining Manager in Hampshire employer: HR Dept (Recruitment Agency)
Contact Detail:
HR Dept (Recruitment Agency) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Dining Manager in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop by The Candover for a drink or a meal. Familiarising yourself with the atmosphere and service style will help you connect better during your chat and show your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your guest relations skills! Think of scenarios where you might need to solve problems on the spot. Role-playing these situations with a friend can boost your confidence and prepare you for those tricky questions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you build and maintain a positive team culture. Share examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to inspire and develop others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about The Candover’s approach to hospitality and team development. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their unique culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Dining Manager in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for hospitality shine through! We want to see how much you care about providing exceptional service and creating memorable dining experiences for guests.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Dining Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in leading teams, managing guest relations, and ensuring high standards of service. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values!
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We value warmth and professionalism, so let us get to know the real you! Share your unique approach to hospitality and how you can contribute to our team culture.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR Dept (Recruitment Agency)
✨Know Your Venue
Before the interview, take some time to research The Candover. Familiarise yourself with its atmosphere, menu, and service style. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their values of warmth and professionalism.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Dining Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team, resolved guest issues, or improved service standards. Highlight how you can foster a positive team culture that aligns with their vision.
✨Emphasise Guest Relations
The Candover places a high value on guest experience. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback and ensure guest satisfaction. Share specific instances where you've gone above and beyond to exceed expectations, showcasing your proactive problem-solving skills.
✨Understand Operational Oversight
Brush up on your knowledge of operational management, including portion control, waste reduction, and compliance standards. Be prepared to discuss how you would oversee day-to-day operations and maintain high standards across all service areas, demonstrating your ownership mindset.