At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations at a historic venue, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and financial sustainability.
- Company: Rose Castle, a unique venue blending hospitality with peace and reconciliation initiatives.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape a meaningful mission while developing your leadership skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in hospitality while promoting global peace and reconciliation.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management, strong leadership, and a passion for mission-driven work.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team in a dynamic environment with a focus on growth and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Rose Castle is a historic venue located three miles outside Dalston, Cumbria, offering a unique blend of hospitality and peace & reconciliation programmes. Established as a centre of international influence, the castle provides exclusive use bookings for weddings, corporate events and family gatherings, while hosting the Rose Castle Foundation’s reconciliation initiatives.
The General Manager will oversee all day-to-day operations, ensuring financial sustainability and a mission-aligned guest experience. The position balances strategic leadership with hands-on operational presence.
- Hospitality Operations – Manage accommodation, events, catering and guest services, delivering high-standard service across all event styles.
- Team Leadership & Culture – Inspire and develop a dedicated, collaborative team that upholds heritage values and operational excellence.
- Financial Management – Develop budgets, monitor expenditure and implement revenue strategies to support both financial viability and mission goals.
- Technology & Systems Management – Leverage property management systems (e.g., MEWS), CRM (e.g., HubSpot) and other hospitality software to optimise operations and guest experience.
- Partnership Stewardship – Collaborate with the Rose Castle Foundation to support reconciliation programmes and weave Foundation activities into commercial operations.
- Strategic Planning – Contribute to long-term strategy, aligning operational decisions with the castle’s vision and custodianship ethos.
- Guest Experience & Safety – Uphold the highest standards of hospitality, safety and operational efficiency, driving continuous improvement.
Experience
- Proven experience managing a diverse hospitality venue, from fine dining to informal catering.
- Strong understanding of culinary standards, service delivery and guest experience across multiple price points.
- Demonstrated knowledge of hospitality technology – property management, CRM, POS and rota management.
- Financial acumen with budgeting, forecasting and revenue management across varied offerings.
- Ability to build and lead high-performing teams adaptable to different service requirements.
- Experience in events management, guest services or retreat operations with varied hospitality demands.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Passion for peacebuilding, reconciliation or mission-driven work is strongly preferred.
- Flexibility to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends when required.
Personal Attributes
- Mission-oriented, collaborative and adaptable leader balancing strategic thinking with practical presence.
- Technologically confident with enthusiasm for innovative systems to improve operations and guest experience.
- Versatile and comfortable moving between formal and informal contexts, maintaining quality and warmth throughout.
- Detail-oriented yet strategic, balancing day-to-day operations with long-term vision.
- Understanding of family-owned business dynamics and effectiveness within a custodianship model.
- Capable of holding creative tension between commercial imperatives and mission integrity.
- Resilient, proactive and solution-focused with strong problem-solving abilities across diverse situations.
- Warm, approachable and capable of creating an exceptional guest experience regardless of the event formality.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a historic centre that blends hospitality with meaningful purpose. The General Manager will shape both the guest experience and team culture, ensuring long-term sustainability while advancing global peace and reconciliation.
How to Apply
Applications are best initiated via the application form below. Please submit your CV and a short cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this role. For any questions, email hello@rosecastle.com.
Application Questions
- How would you balance the commercial opportunities of this role while safeguarding the mission integrity of the Rose Castle Foundation?
- How would you increase revenue at Rose Castle?
- Describe how your leadership style will support a positive team dynamic and culture.
APPLY FOR \'GENERAL MANAGER\' employer: Rose Castle Company Limited
Contact Detail:
Rose Castle Company Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land APPLY FOR \'GENERAL MANAGER\'
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, take some time to research Rose Castle and its mission. Understanding their peace and reconciliation programmes will help you connect your experience to their values during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to create a collaborative culture will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would balance commercial opportunities with the mission integrity of the Rose Castle Foundation. Having a clear strategy will show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Rose Castle team.
We think you need these skills to ace APPLY FOR \'GENERAL MANAGER\'
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in hospitality management. We want to see how you've successfully led teams and managed operations in diverse settings, so tailor it to showcase your strengths!
Write a Personal Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for peacebuilding and reconciliation, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for Rose Castle. Let us know what excites you about this role and how you can contribute to our mission.
Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time with the application questions. We’re looking for insight into your strategic thinking and leadership style, so be specific about your experiences and how they align with our values at Rose Castle.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important details. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rose Castle Company Limited
✨Know Your Venue
Before the interview, take some time to research Rose Castle. Understand its history, mission, and the unique blend of hospitality and peace initiatives it offers. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to its goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with fostering a collaborative team culture. Think of specific examples where you've inspired teams or improved service delivery in previous roles. This will show that you can balance strategic thinking with hands-on management.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills, especially around budgeting and revenue strategies. Be ready to share past experiences where you successfully managed finances in a hospitality setting. This will highlight your ability to ensure financial sustainability while supporting the mission of the Rose Castle Foundation.
✨Emphasise Guest Experience
Prepare to discuss how you would uphold high standards of guest experience across various event styles. Think about how you can leverage technology and systems to enhance operations and safety. Sharing specific strategies or ideas will demonstrate your proactive approach to improving guest satisfaction.