At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant espresso bar, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and team success.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, a passionate and innovative coffee brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy free drinks, competitive hours, and monthly coffee gifts.
- Other info: Real career progression opportunities in beautifully designed spaces.
- Why this job: Be a hands-on leader in a dynamic environment that values growth and development.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for hospitality are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
House Manager is the embodiment of WatchHouse - from Core Values to brand standards, the House Manager is a leader with passion and purpose at their core. Ensuring your House delivers exceptional guest experiences and excellent financial performance along with operational excellence, and owning the success of your team. You create a vibrant, dynamic, and welcoming environment for both your team and guests. This role needs a hands‑on approach - you keep your ear to the ground on the needs of your team and guests to ensure we are always at the forefront of hospitality. At WatchHouse, we believe in teaching and developing our managers— if you bring the leadership, we’ll equip you with the tools to thrive.
Directly Reports: Area Operations Manager.
Key Responsibilities:
- Motivate and empower your team to consistently perform at their best, fostering a collaborative and passionate work environment.
- Take ownership of your House’s financials, focusing on KPIs, and continuously seek ways to increase revenue and drive efficiency.
- Oversee daily operations to ensure the Modern Coffee Experience is delivered to every guest, every day, knowing that hospitality is what sets WatchHouse apart.
- Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures, proactively manage issues, and maintain a well‑stocked and functional cafe.
- Actively mentor and develop your team, ensuring opportunities for growth and development within WatchHouse.
- Manage and maintain all compliance in your House, from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
- Uphold and instil the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and service across the House.
- Create a vibrant, sociable, and exciting workplace that employees are proud to be a part of.
- Address challenges with a proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
- Work closely with senior management to align your House with WatchHouse’s vision and goals.
Key Skills:
- Live and breathe the WatchHouse Core Values of Passion, Empathy, Diligence and Can Do.
- Always maintain a high level of personal hygiene and appearance.
- A hands‑on leader who motivates and supports their team to achieve operational and personal excellence.
- Comprehensive understanding of Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards.
- Strong understanding of financial metrics and the ability to drive a profitable and high‑performing site.
- Skilled in managing both front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations in a high‑volume environment.
- Passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences with attention to detail and quality.
- Thrive in a fast‑paced environment, adjusting as needed to meet evolving business needs.
- Committed to mentoring and developing your team members to help them grow and succeed.
- Unwavering focus on cleanliness, organization, and maintaining impeccable service levels.
- Quick thinker who can address and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
- Confident in making decisions, taking ownership, and leading your House independently.
What can you expect at WatchHouse:
- Free Coffee & Drinks – Always – Sip on your favourite drinks, even on your days off.
- 40‑hour Contract – Benefit from stable, consistent hours with a schedule that supports life outside of work.
- Monthly Coffee Gift – Take home 250g of premium WatchHouse coffee every month.
- Free Lunch Every Shift – Fuel up with great food on the house.
- Team Social Budget – Celebrate, connect, and unwind with your team outside of work.
- Annual WatchHouse Party – Our legendary celebration featuring Core Value Awards, and prizes like trips to coffee farms!
- 30% Off All Food – Any House, any time, just for being part of the team.
- 30% Off Retail Coffee – Stock up on your favourite WatchHouse blends whenever you like.
- Work in Beautifully Designed Houses – Join inspiring spaces equipped with industry‑leading tools, surrounded by passionate hospitality professionals.
- Supportive Managers – We listen, we care, and we adapt to support your needs.
- Best‑in‑Class Training – From your first shift, we set you up for success with on‑ and off‑shift development.
- Access to SCA Training – Advance your coffee expertise with recognised industry training (role dependent).
- Off‑Shift Induction Experience – Get to know WatchHouse culture with a full day induction in your first two weeks.
- Career Progression That’s Real – With new Houses and growth across the business, your next step is never far away.
General Manager - Espresso Bar employer: WatchHouse - Marble Arch
At WatchHouse, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and dynamic work culture. As a General Manager, you will not only lead a passionate team but also enjoy benefits such as free coffee and lunch, a supportive management structure, and real opportunities for career progression. Our commitment to employee development and a collaborative environment ensures that you thrive both personally and professionally in our beautifully designed spaces.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Espresso Bar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join local groups, or even just chat with folks at your favourite coffee spots. 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, let your passion for hospitality shine through. Share your experiences and how you embody the core values of the company. Remember, they want someone who fits their vibe!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Reach out directly to the hiring manager or team members. Express your interest and ask about opportunities. It shows initiative and can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Whether it’s brushing up on your financial skills or diving deeper into food hygiene standards, show that you’re committed to personal growth. This not only makes you a stronger candidate but also aligns with the development culture at WatchHouse.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Espresso Bar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for hospitality shine through. We want to see how you embody our core values of Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. Share specific examples that highlight your enthusiasm for creating exceptional guest experiences.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We’re looking for someone who can create a vibrant and welcoming environment. Use your own voice in your application to convey who you are and how you connect with both teams and guests.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a potential House Manager, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Talk about your experience in motivating and developing teams, and how you’ve successfully managed operations in a fast-paced environment. We love hearing about your hands-on approach!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the WatchHouse family!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse - Marble Arch
✨Know Your Core Values
Before the interview, make sure you understand WatchHouse's core values: Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you embody these values, as they are crucial for the House Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on leadership approach. Share specific instances where you've motivated and empowered your team, and how you’ve created a vibrant work environment. This will show that you can foster collaboration and passion among your staff.
✨Understand Financial Metrics
Brush up on your knowledge of financial performance indicators relevant to the café industry. Be ready to discuss how you've previously managed financials and driven efficiency in your operations, as this is key to ensuring the success of the House.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle various challenges in a fast-paced environment. Think through potential scenarios related to customer service, team dynamics, and operational issues, and prepare solutions that reflect a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.