Assistant Manager

Heartwood Collection; Town of Cambridge; On-site; AUD 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EarlyPay access to earned pay

Refer a Friend bonus up to £1,500

Training and development programme

Career progression opportunities

Leadership development and coaching

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity

Cycle to Work Scheme

Long Service Recognition Awards

Birthday gift

Job summary

The Meadow Lark, opened by Heartwood Collection, invites an Assistant Manager to join the opening team in Cambridgeshire. The role focuses on day-to-day operations, delivering exceptional guest experiences and leading a capable front-of-house team.

With a 48-hour week and a base rate plus tronc, you will contribute to building a new destination venue and have clear opportunities for progression within Heartwood Collection.

Qualifications

• Supervisory or management experience in a busy hospitality setting.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to lead busy shifts and motivate a team.
• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead confident, well-organised shifts delivering outstanding service.
• Inspire, coach and support the front of house team to be at their best.
• Lead from the front, setting standard through your own example.
• Ensure every guest receives warm, genuine hospitality from arrival to departure.
• Support GM and Deputy GM in achieving targets and maintaining standards.
• Assist with recruiting, training and developing new team members; conduct pre-shift briefings.
• Build positive relationships with front and back of house teams for seamless service.
• Handle guest feedback professionally and resolve issues.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Communication

Organisation

Calm under pressure

Commercial awareness

Job description

Basic rate from £32,500 plus Expected TRONC £9,000

48-hour contract

Join the opening team at one of Cambridgeshire's most exciting new hospitality destinations.

The Meadow Lark, Trumpington – Opening Late 2026

About The Meadow Lark

Previously independently owned for over 20 years, The Meadow Lark has been thoughtfully transformed as part of the award-winning Heartwood Collection.

Located in the affluent village of Trumpington, just south of Cambridge, this beautiful thatched pub with rooms will offer:

• A welcoming 84-cover bar
• An 80-cover terrace and landscaped garden
• 19 beautifully designed boutique bedrooms
• Stylish interiors inspired by Heartwood's signature design

This will become a destination venue for the local community and visitors alike.

Why Join Heartwood Collection?

At Heartwood Collection, we're passionate about creating welcoming pubs and atmospheric brasseries at the heart of their local communities.

Whether it's our Heartwood Inns or Brasserie Blanc restaurants inspired by Raymond Blanc, we're united by exceptional hospitality, fresh seasonal food and genuine service.

With more than 50 locations and ambitious plans to grow to over 60 sites by 2027, there's never been a better time to join us. Every new opening creates exciting opportunities for career progression, and we're proud to develop our managers from within.

Assistant Manager - What You'll Be Doing

As Assistant Manager, you'll play a key role in the day-to-day success of the business, supporting the management team to deliver exceptional guest experiences every day.

You’ll:

• Lead confident, well-organised shifts that deliver outstanding service
• Inspire, coach and support the front of house team to be at their very best
• Lead from the front, setting the standard through your own example
• Ensure every guest receives warm, genuine hospitality from arrival to departure
• Support the General Manager and Deputy General Manager in achieving business targets and maintaining excellent operational standards
• Assist with recruiting, training and developing new team membersConduct engaging pre-shift briefings and motivate the team throughout service
• Build positive relationships with both front and back of house teams to deliver seamless service
• Handle guest feedback confidently, resolving issues with professionalism and care
• Ensure the business operates safely and in line with company procedures and legal requirements

Assistant Manager - What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who genuinely loves hospitality and enjoys developing people just as much as delivering exceptional guest experiences.

You’ll have:

• Previous supervisory or management experience within a busy hospitality environment
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• The confidence to lead busy shifts and motivate a team
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
• A positive, hands‑on approach and willingness to lead by example
• The ability to remain calm under pressure while maintaining high standards
• Commercial awareness and a desire to continue developing your management skills

Assistant Manager - What We Offer

• Up to £42,000 OTE (including Tronc)
• Instant access to earned pay through EarlyPay
• Refer a Friend bonus of up to £1,500
• training and development programme
• Clear progression opportunities throughout Heartwood Collection
• Structured leadership development and ongoing coaching
• Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action
• Enhanced maternity and paternity package
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Recognition Awards
• A thoughtful birthday gift

Food & Discounts

• 50% discount on food across Heartwood Inns and Brasserie Blanc
• 20% friends and family food discount
• Hundreds of retail and lifestyle discounts through Reward Gateway

A Place to Grow Your Career

This isn't just another Assistant Manager role.

Whether your ambition is to become a Deputy General Manager, General Manager or continue developing within one of the UK's fastest-growing hospitality groups, we’ll support your career every step of the way through our award-winning

Many of our General Managers have progressed through the business, and with exciting new openings planned across the country, there has never been a better time to join us.

Award-Winning Employer

We're proud to be recognised as one of the UK's leading hospitality businesses, including:

• Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024
• Double winner at the Publican Awards 2024
• Three-Star Sustainable Restaurant Association accreditation
• R200 recognition
• Plus many more industry awards

Join us at the beginning of an exciting new chapter and help create one of Cambridgeshire's most exciting new hospitality destinations.

OTE is based on a 48-hour working week. Tronc earnings are estimated using projected site performance and average distributions during the first six months following opening.