Deputy General Manager

Location: National Railway Museum, York

Salary: Up to £42,500 per year

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent, 5 days over 7 days

Title: Deputy General Manager

Overview

Are you ready to play a key leadership role at the world’s largest railway museum? We’re seeking a proactive and people-focused Deputy General Manager to support the catering and hospitality operations at the National Railway Museum in York. This is an outstanding opportunity to shape visitor experiences within a world‑class institution that welcomes guests from across the globe. Working closely with the General Manager, you will ensure the smooth running of our busy café and retail sites, deliver exceptional service standards, and support continual improvement across the operation.

Why Join Us?

At Restaurant Associates, we celebrate individuality and nurture talent. As Deputy General Manager, you’ll benefit from the support of an experienced senior leadership team and have the autonomy to influence daily operations and contribute to long‑term success.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Free meals on duty
• Free on‑site parking
• Exclusive travel discounts
• Access to wellness, mindfulness, and fitness classes
• Digital GP services for you and your family
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes

Key Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in leading all catering and hospitality operations across café, retail, conference, and event spaces.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high service standards through active floor leadership and team engagement.
• Build strong working relationships with museum stakeholders, responding to feedback and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Help oversee budgets, stock controls, and staffing levels to meet commercial targets and drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations, supporting training and policy implementation.
• Lead, motivate, and support teams across multiple outlets, assisting with training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and operational improvements, aligning day‑to‑day delivery with organisational goals.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Assistant Manager, Operations Manager, or Deputy General Manager within hospitality, ideally in visitor attractions or multi‑outlet venues.
• Proven ability to support the running of busy café and retail environments with high footfall and varied service styles.
• Strong financial awareness and understanding of budgets, cost control, and labour management.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience motivating teams and supporting training and development.
• Confident communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• A passion for food, service, and delivering memorable visitor experiences.
• Ability to adapt in a fast‑paced environment, supporting both daily operations and longer‑term development projects.

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering hospitality to some of the UK\’s leading workplace and iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Equal Opportunity

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We embrace diversity and respect the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members.