At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a thriving pub and hotel, driving sales and inspiring a high-performing team.
- Company: Join the Heartwood Collection, a fast-growing premium dining group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, generous holiday, and discounts across all sites.
- Other info: Exciting career development opportunities and a supportive family culture.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a flagship site and make a real impact in a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leadership, sales growth, and managing diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and commercially driven General Manager to lead our thriving Ragged Robin in Godalming. Now successfully open and going from strength to strength, The Ragged Robin is nestled in the charming town of Godalming, set against the stunning backdrop of the River Wey and rolling meadows. The business features a 150-cover restaurant and bar serving exceptional food and drink, 150 external covers for al fresco dining in picturesque surroundings, and 19 boutique bedrooms offering a stylish countryside retreat.
As one of our flagship Pubs with Rooms within the award‑winning Heartwood Collection – home to Brasserie Blanc and Heartwood Inns – The Ragged Robin combines fresh, seasonal food with warm hospitality and exceptional standards. Our businesses sit at the heart of their communities, and our continued success is driven by passionate, like‑minded individuals who create unforgettable guest experiences.
The Role
This is a high‑impact leadership role for a commercially astute operator who can drive sales, maximise profitability and continue the impressive growth trajectory of the business. You will take full accountability for performance across all areas of the site including food, beverage service and rooms ensuring operational excellence while building, developing and inspiring a high‑performing team. You will be confident analysing KPIs, identifying opportunities, and implementing clear commercial strategies to grow revenue across all streams, including rooms. A strong understanding of cost control, payroll management and revenue optimisation is essential.
The Ideal Candidate will:
- Be highly commercial and financially astute, with a proven track record of driving sales growth and profitability
- Have strong people management skills and experience leading large, diverse teams
- Be confident managing HR matters, including recruitment, performance management, succession planning, engagement and employee relations
- Have experience running a site with accommodation and a solid understanding of rooms revenue management and yield
- Demonstrate the ability to oversee a busy, multi‑faced operation while maintaining exceptional standards
- Be a visible, hands‑on leader with energy, warmth and presence
- Thrive on motivating and empowering teams to deliver outstanding guest experiences
- Have proven experience delivering sustained business growth, achieving budgets and maintaining strong staff retention
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an already successful and growing business with significant further potential. If you are a driven and ambitious General Manager looking to take ownership of a flagship site within a respected and expanding collection, we would love to hear from you.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary plus Tronc and quarterly bonus
- Private Healthcare with Bupa
- Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action
- 28 days holiday including Bank Holidays
- Option to buy an additional 5 days holiday per year
- The Pantry – hundreds of retailer and experience discounts through Reward Gateway
- Stepping Stones – our industry‑leading training and development platform supporting progression
- Coaching and Mentorship programme to support your career development
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity package
- 50% off food across all Heartwood Collection sites
- 20% Friends & Family food discount
- Discounted rooms at our Inns
- A thoughtful birthday gift
- Long Service Recognition Awards
- Refer a Friend bonus up to £1,500
- Instant access to earned pay through EarlyPay
- Cycle to Work Scheme
About Heartwood Collection
Heartwood Collection is one of the UK’s fastest‑growing premium casual dining groups, home to the award‑winning Brasserie Blanc and Heartwood Inns brands. Backed by Alchemy Partners since 2022, we operate 50 sites nationwide and are on an ambitious growth journey including a rapidly expanding rooms business set to exceed 300 bedrooms by 2027. We are proud of our family culture, collaborative spirit and appetite for growth. This is an exciting time to join a business where commercial thinking, strong leadership and data‑driven decision‑making play a critical role in shaping long‑term success.
General Manager in Godalming employer: The Ragged Robin, Godalming
At Heartwood Collection, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and growth. As the General Manager of The Ragged Robin in Godalming, you will lead a passionate team in a picturesque setting, benefiting from competitive salaries, comprehensive healthcare, and industry-leading training programmes. Join us to not only drive business success but also to thrive in a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages career progression.
Contact Details:
The Ragged Robin, Godalming Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at places you admire. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether it’s at a networking event or an interview, let your passion for hospitality shine through. Share your experiences and how you can contribute to creating unforgettable guest experiences at The Ragged Robin.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research The Ragged Robin and the Heartwood Collection thoroughly. Know their values, what they stand for, and how you can align your skills with their goals. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way in keeping your name fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for hospitality shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading a team and creating unforgettable guest experiences at The Ragged Robin.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in managing teams and driving sales. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to achieve results and maintain high standards, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and qualities mentioned in the job description. Show us how you fit into our vision for The Ragged Robin and the Heartwood Collection.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Ragged Robin, Godalming
✨Know Your Numbers
As a General Manager, you'll need to be commercially astute. Brush up on your KPIs and financial metrics related to sales growth and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue in previous roles and what strategies you would implement at The Ragged Robin.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong people management skills. Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams, handled HR matters, and motivated staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference.
✨Understand the Business Inside Out
Familiarise yourself with the operations of a busy pub with rooms. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cost control, payroll management, and revenue optimisation. Highlight any relevant experience you have in managing accommodation and how you can apply that knowledge here.
✨Be a Hands-On Leader
The Ragged Robin values visible leadership. During the interview, convey your energy and warmth. Share stories that demonstrate your hands-on approach and how you engage with both staff and guests to create memorable experiences.
