At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy restaurant, ensuring high standards and exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join MEAA, a vibrant restaurant known for excellent food and warm hospitality.
- Benefits: Fast-track your career with a clear progression to General Manager in 3-6 months.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth beyond restaurant management as MEAA expands.
- Why this job: Take charge of a high-volume operation and make a real impact on its success.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume restaurants and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
MEAA is looking for an ambitious, experienced Assistant General Manager to join our London restaurant with a clear objective: develop into the General Manager role within approximately 3–6 months. This is not a conventional AGM position. We are looking for someone capable of becoming the person ultimately responsible for one of our busiest restaurants.
MEAA London is a high-volume operation serving approximately 4,000 covers per week, with around 150 covers and generating approximately £100,000 in weekly revenue. It combines the pace and complexity of a major-volume restaurant with the standards, attention to detail and personal service expected from a premium hospitality business.
The opportunity
You will initially work alongside the existing management team, learning the MEAA operation, culture and standards while progressively taking responsibility for the restaurant. The 3–6 month development period will cover the full GM remit, including:
- Leading a large FOH and management team through high-volume services
- Maintaining consistently high standards across up to 4,000 weekly covers
- Taking ownership of guest experience and handling issues confidently
- Recruitment, onboarding, training and development
- Building a strong management and supervisory team beneath you
- Rotas, labour deployment and productivity
- Sales performance and commercial decision-making
- Wage and operating cost control
- Restaurant P&L understanding and accountability
- Driving average spend and identifying revenue opportunities
- Maintaining service, presentation, cleanliness and brand standards
- Using guest feedback and operational data to improve performance
- Working closely with the Head Chef and kitchen leadership
- Developing regular customers and ensuring our best guests are recognised
- Leading pre-shifts, management meetings and performance reviews
- Taking increasing responsibility for the entire operation until ready to step into the GM position
Who we’re looking for
We are not looking for someone who simply wants their next AGM job. We’re looking for somebody who wants to run a substantial restaurant and can demonstrate that they have the potential to do so. You will probably already be a strong AGM, Deputy GM or experienced senior restaurant manager within a high-volume operation and feel ready for the next step. You should be comfortable operating in an environment doing £100k+ per week and understand that delivering 4,000 covers requires organisation, pace and strong management rather than simply being visible on the restaurant floor.
You should be:
- A strong and confident leader
- Commercially aware
- Highly organised
- Excellent with guests
- Comfortable managing and developing people
- Calm during extremely busy services
- Able to hold people accountable without creating a negative culture
- Obsessed with consistency and detail
- Comfortable working with numbers and KPIs
- Able to identify problems before they become problems
- Hands-on when necessary, without becoming trapped in individual sections
- Ambitious enough to want responsibility for the whole business
Experience in a high-volume premium restaurant, busy independent group or quality multi-site restaurant business would be particularly relevant.
What success looks like
This role comes with a genuine progression plan. During your first months you will be expected to demonstrate that you can progressively take ownership of: People → Service → Operations → Commercial Performance → The Entire Restaurant. The intention is that, once you have demonstrated that you can consistently operate the restaurant to the required standard, you will progress into the General Manager position. This is therefore an opportunity for someone who is already close to GM level but wants the opportunity, support and scale to make that step.
About MEAA
MEAA is built around excellent food, atmosphere and genuinely warm hospitality. We want high standards without stiff or scripted service. Our managers are expected to know their teams, know their customers and create an environment where people enjoy working as much as customers enjoy visiting. As MEAA grows, there will also be opportunities beyond individual restaurant management for the strongest people within the business.
Location: London
Position: Assistant General Manager
Progression: General Manager
Expected development period: approximately 3–6 months
Restaurant volume: approximately 4,000 covers per week
To apply: Send your CV together with a short introduction explaining the size and type of operation you currently manage and why you believe you’re ready to progress into a GM role.
Assistant Manager in Barnet employer: Meaa
Join our upper-end restaurant where we prioritise exceptional service and a vibrant work culture that fosters personal and professional growth. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to excel in delivering memorable dining experiences while enjoying employee discounts and resources for well-being. If you are passionate about hospitality and thrive in a dynamic setting, this is the perfect place for you to flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager in Barnet
✨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 Meaa. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Meaa
Don't be shy about reaching out to Meaa 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 Assistant Manager in Barnet
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 Meaa 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 Meaa
✨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!
