At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant hospitality team and manage diverse operations at Mad Swans.
- Company: Join Mad Swans, one of The UK's 50 Best Places to Stay in 2026!
- Benefits: Earn £65,000/year plus tips, enjoy free meals, parking, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and team bonding activities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting new concept that blends sports, food, and unforgettable experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in hotel management and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 € per year.
You bring your expertise, enthusiasms, and curiosities; and we will provide you with a space to play.
Full Time Permanent Contract Earnings circa £65,000/annum, including TRONC (Tips & Service Charge). Onsite Role Based at Mad Swans in the Mendips (Bristol). Must be eligible to work in the UK.
Mad Swans in the Mendips is located in Farrington Gurney near to Bristol & Bath. We are now recruiting for a commercially focused, operationally strong General Manager with significant hotel and rooms experience to lead the team and take Mad Swans in the Mendips to the next level. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment, understands the realities of running a multi-revenue hotel operation, and knows how to balance guest experience with commercial performance.
We are looking for a resilient and agile operator who can adapt quickly, solve problems proactively, lead from the front and consistently get the job done.
What we do
We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature. Mad Swans is a countryside hangout for mavericks. The unruly. The friendship groups you wish you were in. The families you want to hang out with. For evenings that go on forever. And weekends that become folklore. Come for a good time. Come for a long time. Come for a breath of fresh air. Whoever you are. Come as you are.
Social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf gives guests the chance to explore one game or sample them all, across a few hours, a day, or a long weekend. We’re all about great food, which is why we’ve teamed up with experts in their field to create two distinct dining experiences and endless ways to enjoy them. The Potting Shed proudly boasts a menu of refreshing takes on Brasserie classics while, in The Hangout, the focus is on shareable plates with no compromise on flavour.
About the Role
The General Manager will have full accountability for the entire site operation, including the Restaurants, Bars, Cabin Accommodation, Event Spaces, Retail Shop and Sports Activities. A key focus of this role will be driving occupancy, guest satisfaction, rooms revenue and operational standards across the accommodation offering. You will understand what makes a successful hotel operation from reservations and guest journey management through to housekeeping standards, yield awareness, maintenance coordination and maximising overnight revenue opportunities.
Mad Swans in the Mendips is a complex, multi-faceted hospitality business and requires a commercially astute leader who can confidently manage changing priorities, operational pressures and peak trading periods while maintaining exceptional guest standards throughout the site.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Driving accommodation occupancy, ADR and overall rooms revenue performance
- Ensuring exceptional standards across all guest accommodation, housekeeping and public areas
- Taking ownership of the end-to-end guest journey from reservation through to departure
- Managing operational performance across all revenue streams while maintaining profitability targets
- Monitoring labour, payroll and operational costs to ensure commercial efficiency
- Using business performance data, guest feedback and operational insight to make agile decisions and drive continuous improvement
- Leading from the front during busy service periods and operational challenges
- Creating a culture of accountability, pace, resilience and high performance across the team
- Ensuring problems are resolved quickly, effectively and professionally with a solutions-focused mindset
- Collaborating with the Reservations and operational teams to maximise occupancy, upselling and guest spend opportunities
- Maintaining consistently high operational standards across all departments, even during peak trading periods
- Adapting quickly to changing business needs, seasonal demands and operational priorities
This is a full-time (48 hours a week) permanent position and will work any five days out of seven. Earnings for this role is circa £65,000/annum, including TRONC (Tips & Service Charge). Location: this is an onsite role and will be located at Mad Swans in the Mendips, Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6TS.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a General Manager who is:
- An experienced Hotel General Manager or senior Hotel Operations Manager with strong rooms and accommodation experience
- Commercially aware with a strong understanding of occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, payroll management and cost control
- Experienced in leading complex, multi-revenue hospitality operations
- A resilient and agile operator who thrives in fast-paced environments and performs well under pressure
- Someone who takes ownership, solves problems quickly and consistently gets the job done
- A hands-on leader who leads from the front and supports the operation wherever needed
- Passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences across every touchpoint
- Highly operationally focused with exceptional attention to detail and standards
- Experienced in managing budgets, forecasting and delivering profitability targets
- Comfortable making decisions quickly and adapting to changing business demands
- Able to motivate, inspire and develop high-performing teams
- Confident managing operational challenges, guest issues and peak trading periods
- Proactive, solutions-focused and commercially minded
- Excited by being part of an ambitious and growing hospitality concept
- An excellent communicator with strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- Self-driven, accountable and highly motivated
- Comfortable working at pace in a dynamic hospitality environment
This role would suit a commercially driven hotel operator who enjoys building high-performing teams, thrives in dynamic environments and takes pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences while driving business results.
Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas.
What is in it for you
- Tips & Service Charge
- Free Parking
- Free Employee Meal whilst on shift
- Wage Stream - access your pay for hours worked before pay day
- Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop
- Reward & Recognition Initiatives
- Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events
- Employee Referral Scheme Bonus
- Mad Swans Water Bottle
- Mad Swans Hoodie
- Plant your own tree at Mad Swans
How to Apply
If you believe you have what it takes to come on-board and would like to be part of something new and exciting, we would love to hear from you. Please simply apply by hitting the apply button. Please note, emails from Mad Swans via our careers portal may land in your junk folder. Please check your junk folder to avoid missing any email updates from us.
Recruitment Agencies
We are not working with any recruitment agencies at this time. As such, we do not accept any speculative CVs and/or candidate profiles and are, therefore, unable to consider these.
Locations
General Manager in Newport, Wales employer: Mad Swans
Mad Swans in the Mendips is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture, encouraging exploration and personal growth within the dynamic hospitality sector. With industry-leading training, a focus on employee well-being, and unique perks like access to recreational activities and exclusive discounts, we empower our team to thrive both professionally and personally in a stunning countryside setting near Bristol. Join us to lead a passionate team in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests while enjoying a fulfilling career in a rapidly growing hospitality concept.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager in Newport, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join local groups, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your enthusiasm for hospitality shine through. Share your passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and how you can bring that energy to Mad Swans. Remember, they want someone who fits their vibe!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to places you’re interested in, like Mad Swans. Express your interest and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative and could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Understand what makes Mad Swans unique and think about how your skills align with their mission. Bring ideas to the table on how you can contribute to their success, especially in driving guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for hospitality shine through! We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating amazing experiences for our guests.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the General Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in hotel operations and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive guest satisfaction and commercial performance. We love seeing how you can make an impact!
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We’re all about creating a fun and engaging environment at Mad Swans, so let us know what makes you unique and how you can contribute to our vibrant team culture.
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, it shows you’re keen to be part of the Mad Swans family right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mad Swans
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Mad Swans' offerings and values. Familiarise yourself with their unique hospitality approach and the activities they provide. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you align your experience with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a General Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you maintain high standards during peak times.
✨Emphasise Guest Experience
Mad Swans prioritises exceptional guest experiences. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate your commitment to guest satisfaction and how you've improved service delivery in previous roles. This will resonate well with their focus on creating memorable moments.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling operational challenges or managing busy periods. Think of scenarios where you've successfully navigated such situations. This will showcase your resilience and adaptability, key traits for the role.
