At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional guest experiences and drive financial success.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, a vibrant coffee house in the heart of Borough Market.
- Benefits: Enjoy free coffee, lunch, and a performance-based bonus up to £8,000 annually.
- Other info: Experience a supportive culture with real opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team and grow your career in premium hospitality.
- Qualifications: Leadership skills and a passion for hospitality are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This summer, we’re proud to open the doors to our new House in Borough Market, one of London’s most iconic and characterful neighbourhoods. Known for its rich culinary heritage and bustling market culture, the area blends historic charm with a vibrant, contemporary energy at the heart of the city.
A 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.
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 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, 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.
At WatchHouse, the House Manager role is a hands-on role for an inspiring leader who thrives in a fast-paced, premium environment. With a focus on people, quality, and performance, you’ll take ownership of your House and team, delivering exceptional experiences for both employees and guests. This is for people who love specialty coffee, hospitality, and leadership and want to grow their career.
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.
- Up to £8,000 performance-based annual bonus opportunity.
- Monthly Coffee Gift – Take home 250 g 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.
At WatchHouse, we were born from a passion to do better—driven by diligence, attention to detail, and a genuine care for our craft and our people. We are a people-first business that values individuality, personality, and the unique contributions of every team member. 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.
House Manager: Lead People, Profit & Premium Hospitality employer: WatchHouse
At WatchHouse, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work culture in the heart of London’s Borough Market. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our best-in-class training and real career progression opportunities, all while enjoying unique benefits like free coffee, meals, and a supportive management team that truly cares about your success. Join us to be part of a passionate community that values individuality and fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land House Manager: Lead People, Profit & Premium Hospitality
✨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 hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn to find folks who work at WatchHouse or similar places. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for coffee and hospitality during interviews. Bring your A-game by sharing personal stories that highlight your experience and love for creating exceptional guest experiences. Remember, they want to see that you embody their core values!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company. Ask about their training programs or how they support team development—this aligns perfectly with what WatchHouse stands for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the WatchHouse family. So, get your application in and let’s make some coffee magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace House Manager: Lead People, Profit & Premium Hospitality
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for hospitality and coffee shine through. We want to see that you live and breathe the values of WatchHouse, so share your experiences that reflect this enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the House Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for.
Be Authentic:We love individuality! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. Share your unique story and what makes you a great fit for our vibrant team at WatchHouse.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse
✨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. This will show your alignment with the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a House Manager, you'll need to motivate and empower your team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight any mentoring or development initiatives you've implemented.
✨Understand Financial Metrics
Since the role involves taking ownership of financials and KPIs, brush up on your understanding of financial metrics relevant to hospitality. Be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue and efficiency in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage the House effectively.
✨Prepare for Operational Scenarios
Expect questions about daily operations and how you would handle various scenarios, such as managing busy periods or resolving customer complaints. Think through potential challenges and how you would address them proactively to ensure a seamless customer experience.