Restaurant Manager in Guildford

The Restaurant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the front-of-house operation, ensuring exceptional service standards, attention to detail, team development, and smooth day-to-day running of the restaurant. This role requires a highly organised and passionate hands-on leader who drives consistency, accountability and a premium guest experience at all times. Accountable for ensuring consistent operations to support and in the absence of the General Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, manage, and inspire the FOH team, ensuring high performance and accountability.
  • Plan & deliver weekly training briefs and ongoing coaching to develop team capability.
  • Implement structured team competitions and incentives to drive engagement and performance.
  • Take accountability for maintaining CPL (Compliance) completion rates across the team.
  • Foster a culture of professionalism, responsibility, and continuous improvement.
• Training & Development
  • Deliver regular service training and coaching sessions for the FOH team.
  • Organise and lead wine training and development sessions with suppliers & 3rd parties.
  • Ensure all team members are trained to meet and exceed service standards.
  • Promote a culture of learning and development across the team.
• Operations & Service Delivery
  • Oversee day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service.
  • Maintain personal high standards of restaurant detailing, table setup, and overall appearance as well as ensuring that of the rest of the team.
  • Ensure correct timings, presentation, and service etiquette are consistently delivered.
  • Coordinate dietary requirements, special requests, and VIP guest arrangements.
  • Manage service ambiance, including lighting and music levels appropriate to time of day.
  • Maintain a consistent and visible management presence on the floor, particularly during peak service hours (12:00-14:30 / 17:30-22:30).
• Standards & Compliance
  • Implement and uphold all service standards and procedures.
  • Coach and develop team members service standards.
  • Ensure full compliance with health & safety, hygiene, and licensing regulations.
  • Monitor team performance and enforce accountability for maintaining standards.
• Guest Experience & Issue Resolution
  • Handle all guest complaints and service issues promptly and professionally.
  • Ensure a consistently high level of guest experience, particularly in the absence of the General Manager.
  • Take ownership of service recovery and continuous improvement.
• Planning & Organisation
  • Prepare and submit the weekly rota draft to the General Manager by midday each Wednesday.
  • Create and execute a planned list of daily tasks, ensuring operational priorities are met.
  • Maintain organisation, structure, and clear communication across all shifts.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• High attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Effective communication and coaching capability.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, solutions-driven mindset.

Performance Expectations

• Consistent delivery of exceptional guest experience and service standards.
• Strong leadership presence and accountability across all shifts.
• High team engagement, training completion, and performance levels.
• Effective operational management and attention to detail.
• Maintenance of compliance and operational excellence at all times.

This role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and peak trading periods. The Restaurant Manager is expected to lead by example at all times, arriving in full business dress and ready to deliver a professional and polished service indicative of a 3 AA Rosette Environment.