General Manager in Shaftesbury

Location: The Kings Arms, Shaftesbury

Salary: OTE £55,000 (TRONC + Bonus) per annum

Join the Chickpea Group Team! We’re on the lookout for a passionate, hands-on General Manager to lead our busy, buzzing pub where amazing hospitality comes first. This is a role for someone who thrives on taking ownership, driving standards and inspiring a team.

If you love great food, leading from the front, and creating an environment where both your team and guests feel genuinely looked after, you’ll fit right in. You’ll be at the heart of everything we do; overseeing day-to-day operations, building a strong, motivated team, and ensuring the pub runs smoothly, profitably, and with real personality. We’re all about doing things properly, paying attention to the little details, and delivering genuinely great hospitality every single time. As General Manager, you’ll set the tone, uphold those standards, and make the place your own.

We’re Chickpea Group, a growing collection of pubs with rooms and pizza spots across the Southwest. We’re energetic, ambitious, and building something special. Most importantly, our team members are at the heart of it all. Work with us and you’ll be surrounded by great people, with real opportunities to grow and move across the group.

Perks of Working with Us

• Competitive Salary plus variable TRONC and bonus
• 50% team discount on food across all our pubs
• Real opportunities to grow — we promote from within
• Structured (but relaxed) training — service-based knowledge is key
• Managers away days
• Supplier trips & team days out
• Monthly team rewards — we love celebrating wins
• £100 birthday voucher — because your day matters
• Employer pension contributions
• Proper life-work balance with regular days off
• Christmas day off

*OTE based on 48-hour week, Variable TRONC and 20% target based bonus.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Taking full ownership of the pub, with complete accountability for performance, standards, and guest experience.
• Leading from the front to deliver an exceptional, consistent guest journey that builds loyalty and drives repeat trade.
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining a high-performing team.
• Setting and driving standards across all areas.
• Holding full P&L responsibility, actively managing sales, labour, costs, and margins to deliver strong financial performance.
• Using data, insight, and local knowledge to drive revenue, maximise opportunities, and grow the business.
• Overseeing all operational controls including stock, cash management, and compliance, ensuring the business is robust and audit-ready.
• Building strong community presence through events, partnerships, and local engagement.
• Leading, coaching, and inspiring your team to exceed expectations, developing future leaders within the business.
• Continuously reviewing performance, identifying opportunities, and implementing improvements to drive the pub forward.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a General Manager (or a high-performing Deputy ready to step up) within a high-volume, quality-led pub.
• A commercially astute operator with a strong track record of delivering sales growth, controlling costs, and driving profitability.
• A confident leader who can build and inspire a team.
• A natural host with a passion for delivering standout guest experiences.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing budgets, KPIs, and compliance.
• A quick thinker that notices the detail —someone who treats the pub as their own and is always looking for ways to improve and grow.
• Resilient, ambitious, and driven, with the presence and credibility to lead from the front.