General Manager (New Opening)

House Manager, WatchHouse

This September, we’re excited to open the doors to our new House in Queensway, bringing Modern Coffee to one of West London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. With its lively atmosphere and close proximity to Hyde Park, our newest location offers an exciting opportunity to join a growing team from the very beginning and play a key role in shaping an exceptional guest experience.

In Short

A House Manager is the embodiment of WatchHouse – from Core Values to brand standards. As a passionate and purpose-driven leader, you will ensure your House delivers exceptional guest experiences and excellent financial performance while building a vibrant, dynamic, and welcoming environment for both your team and guests. You will take a hands‑on approach, keeping an ear to the ground to stay ahead in hospitality, and you will receive the tools and support needed to thrive.

Directly Reports into: 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 continually seeking ways to increase revenue and drive efficiency.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure the Modern Coffee Experience is delivered to every guest, every day.
• Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures, proactively manage issues, and maintain a well‑stocked and functional café.
• Actively mentor and develop your team, providing opportunities for growth within WatchHouse.
• Maintain all compliance, from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
• Uphold and instill the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and service.
• Create a vibrant, sociable, and exciting workplace that employees are proud to be a part of.
• Address challenges with a proactive, 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.
• Maintain high personal hygiene and appearance.
• Be a hands‑on leader who motivates and supports the team to achieve operational and personal excellence.
• Understand Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards comprehensively.
• Master financial metrics and drive a profitable, high‑performing site.
• Skillfully manage both front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations in a high‑volume environment.
• Passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences with attention to detail.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment, adapting to evolving business needs.
• Commit to mentoring and developing team members to grow and succeed.
• Maintain unwavering focus on cleanliness, organization, and immaculate service levels.
• Quickly resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
• Make decisions confidently, taking ownership, and leading your House independently.

What Can You Expect at WatchHouse

• Free Coffee & Drinks – Always – Sip on your favourite drinks, even on days off.
• 40‑hour Contract – 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 – Celebrate core values with awards and prizes like trips to coffee farms.
• 30% Off All Food – Exclusive discount for the team.
• 30% Off Retail Coffee – Stock your favourite WatchHouse blends.
• Work in Beautifully Designed Houses – Inspiring spaces with industry‑leading tools.
• Supportive Managers – We listen, care, and adapt to support your needs.
• Best‑in‑Class Training – On‑ and off‑shift development from day one.
• Access to SCA Training – Advance your coffee expertise (role dependent).
• Off‑Shift Induction Experience – Full‑day induction in your first two weeks.
• Career Progression That’s Real – With new Houses and growth across the business.

Working at WatchHouse

We were born from a passion to do better—driven by diligence, attention to detail, and genuine care for our craft and our people. We are a people‑first business that values individuality, personality, and unique contributions. We champion diversity, insist on equality, and foster inclusion as a non‑negotiable part of our culture. Our team thrives in a respectful, collaborative environment where feedback is welcomed, support is mutual, and excellence is pursued together.

Guided by our core values—passion, can do, diligence, and empathy—we build meaningful relationships, celebrate contributions, and work with purpose to deliver the Modern Coffee experience.

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