At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant brunch restaurant, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain, known for its modern coffee philosophy.
- Benefits: Enjoy free coffee, competitive bonuses, team socials, and 30% off food and retail coffee.
- Why this job: Be a hands-on leader in a fast-paced environment, making a real impact on London’s hospitality scene.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, passion for hospitality, and understanding of food hygiene and financial metrics.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and best-in-class training in a supportive, inclusive culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
WatchHouse is a group of specialty coffee Houses located in iconic neighbourhoods across London, Bath and New York. We are dedicated to elevating the coffee experience through our "Modern Coffee" philosophy. From our award-winning brews to our unmatched hospitality, we’re proud to have been named Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain at the 2024 European Coffee & Hospitality Awards.
We’re looking for a Brunch House Manager to lead our beautiful kitchen locations in Central London. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee both our vibrant restaurant service and bustling takeaway coffee offering, ensuring every guest experience is exceptional. As House Manager, you’ll be the embodiment of WatchHouse - bringing our core values, brand standards, and a passion for hospitality to life. You’ll lead from the front, creating a welcoming and energetic environment for both your team and guests, driving operational excellence, and achieving outstanding financial results.
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 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, 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.
- Annual Bonus up to £8,000 per year.
- Tronc contribution of up to £8,000 per year.
- 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.
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.
General Manager - Brunch Restaurant. in London employer: WatchHouse.
Contact Detail:
WatchHouse. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Brunch Restaurant. in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who know WatchHouse. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for coffee and hospitality during interviews. Share personal stories that highlight your leadership skills and how you've created exceptional guest experiences in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions about WatchHouse’s culture and values. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to embody their core principles as a House Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the WatchHouse team.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Brunch Restaurant. in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for coffee and hospitality shine through. We want to see how you embody our core values of passion and empathy in your experiences.
Be Specific: Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your leadership skills and operational excellence. We’re looking for real stories that show how you’ve motivated teams and driven results.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the House Manager role. Highlight your understanding of financial metrics and your experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations to show us you’re the perfect fit.
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 our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse.
✨Know Your Coffee
As a General Manager at WatchHouse, you’ll need to embody the 'Modern Coffee' philosophy. Brush up on your coffee knowledge and be ready to discuss your favourite brews, brewing methods, and what makes WatchHouse unique. This shows your passion for the product and aligns with their core values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you motivate teams. Think of specific examples where you've empowered your staff or improved team dynamics. WatchHouse is looking for someone who can create a vibrant workplace, so demonstrate how you can inspire and lead effectively.
✨Understand Financial Metrics
Since you'll be taking ownership of the House’s financials, make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the hospitality industry. Be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue and efficiency in past roles, as this will show your capability to manage a high-performing site.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Prepare to share your thoughts on what exceptional customer service looks like. Have examples ready that illustrate how you've gone above and beyond to ensure a great guest experience. Remember, hospitality is what sets WatchHouse apart, so showing your commitment to quality service is crucial.