At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant team and create exceptional guest experiences in a bustling café environment.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, a people-first business in the heart of Borough Market.
- Benefits: Enjoy free coffee, lunch, and a performance-based bonus up to £8,000.
- Other info: Experience a supportive culture with best-in-class training and real career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values individuality and fosters career growth.
- Qualifications: Passion for hospitality, leadership skills, and a commitment to excellence.
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, 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.
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 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.
House Manager in London employer: WatchHouse
At WatchHouse, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work culture in the heart of Borough Market, London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through best-in-class training, real career progression opportunities, and a supportive management team that values individuality and collaboration. With unique benefits like free coffee, monthly gifts, and a strong focus on work-life balance, we create an inspiring environment where passionate leaders can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land House Manager in London
✨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 pop into cafes and chat with staff. You never know who might have a lead on that House Manager role at WatchHouse!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for coffee and hospitality during interviews. Share your experiences and how they align with WatchHouse's core values. Remember, we want to see that you live and breathe our ethos of passion, empathy, diligence, and can-do spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you would handle challenges in a fast-paced environment. We love quick thinkers who can address issues efficiently, so be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the WatchHouse family. Let’s get you that House Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace House Manager in London
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 how you embody our core values of Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. Share personal stories that highlight your love for creating exceptional guest experiences!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the House Manager role at WatchHouse. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in managing teams, as well as your understanding of financial metrics and operational excellence. This will show us you’re the right fit for our vibrant environment.
Be Authentic:We value individuality, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Be genuine about your experiences and what makes you unique. This helps us get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you’re serious about joining the WatchHouse family. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse
✨Know Your House
Before the interview, dive deep into WatchHouse's values and culture. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to exceptional guest experiences and how they blend tradition with modernity. This will help you align your answers with what they truly value.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a House Manager, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. Highlight your hands-on experience and how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment, as this aligns perfectly with what WatchHouse seeks.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing financials and KPIs, come prepared to discuss your understanding of these metrics. Share instances where you’ve successfully driven revenue or improved efficiency in previous roles, showcasing your ability to take ownership of financial performance.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Prepare to talk about your passion for hospitality and how you create outstanding customer experiences. Think of specific situations where you’ve gone above and beyond for guests, as this will resonate well with WatchHouse’s focus on delivering the Modern Coffee Experience.