Assistant General Manager

Le Strange Arms; Colchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff incentives

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Team Parties & Social Events

Refer a Friend Scheme

Wine Discounts

Family & Friends Discounts

Team Discounts

Overnight Stays discount

High Street Discounts

Free Meal on Duty

Tips + Wagestream Access

Flexible Hours

Learning & Development

Job summary

Chestnut is seeking a Deputy General Manager to lead the front-of-house and back-of-house teams across The Crown, The Folly, the lodges and The Angel Inn. You will work closely with the General Manager to deliver exceptional guest experiences and ensure smooth operations.

The role focuses on developing your team, managing financial performance, and maintaining a welcoming village hub atmosphere; a proven hospitality leadership background and passion for locally sourced produce are essential.

Qualifications

• Lead and inspire the FOH and BOH team to achieve high standards of service.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and on-site management for seamless guest experience across The Crown, The Folly, the lodges and The Angel Inn.
• Guide guests through every part of an enjoyable stay from bar to dining room to room.
• Recruit, train and develop team members, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Manage wet stock across the property.
• Drive financial performance by meeting and surpassing financial expectations.
• Cultivate a positive and motivated work environment, ensuring all team members perform to their best abilities.
• Manage cash handling on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the FOH and BOH teams to achieve high standards of service.
• Collaborate closely with the General Manager and other on-site management for a seamless guest experience across multiple Chestnut venues.
• Guide guests through every part of their stay, from bar to dining room to their room.
• Recruit, train and develop team members, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Manage wet stock across the property.
• Drive financial performance by meeting and surpassing financial expectations.
• Cultivate a positive work environment and ensure staff perform to their best.

Skills

Team leadership

Operational management

Financial acumen

Guest experience

Recruitment & training

Job description

The Crown sits at the heart of the village of Stoke by Nayland, right in Constable Country and on the edge of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — 25 rooms spread across The Folly, three private-terrace lodges, and our sister property The Angel Inn across the village green. We were named Suffolk's Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide, built on pub classics, a daily fish board and local produce, backed by a 200-bottle wine list and our own on-site bottle shop. It's a busy, characterful site with quiz nights, wine-pairing dinners and a loyal local following — and we need a Deputy General Manager who can help run it at its best.

As Deputy General Manager, you'll lead and inspire both the front-of-house and back-of-house teams to deliver exceptional service, while keeping operations running smoothly, working closely with the General Manager, and helping meet the site's financial goals. If you're passionate about guest experience and have a proven track record in hospitality management, this is the perfect next step.

Job Requirements:

• Lead and inspire the FOH and BOH team to achieve high standards of service.
• Collaborate closely with the General Manager and other management on-site to ensure a seamless guest experience across The Crown, The Folly, the lodges and The Angel Inn.
• Guide guests through every part of an enjoyable restaurant/hotel stay, from the bar to the dining room to their room.
• Recruit, train and develop team members, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Manage wet stock across the property.
• Drive financial performance by meeting and surpassing financial expectations.
• Cultivate a positive and motivated work environment, ensuring all team members perform to their best abilities.
• Manage cash handling on-site.

Why Join Us?

At Chestnut, we believe in rewarding our team, supporting personal growth, and creating a work environment that feels like home.

Incentives & Perks

• Team & Individual Incentives — rewards for your hard work, including staff days out and even trips abroad.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — free, confidential support for wellbeing, finances, and more.
• Team Parties & Social Events — regular events to connect, relax, and celebrate together.
• Work Anniversary Rewards — your commitment celebrated every year.
• Refer a Friend Scheme — recommend a friend and earn a cash bonus when they join us.
• Peter Graham Wine Discounts — exclusive pricing on carefully selected wines, fitting given The Crown's own 200-bottle list and bottle shop.
• Family & Friends Discounts — share special perks with those you care about.
• Team Discounts — up to 50% off your food bill at our venues.
• Overnight Stays from £75 — take a break at any Chestnut property at a reduced rate, including a stay in one of The Crown's own lodges.
• High Street Discounts — save on retail, dining, and travel with exclusive deals.
• Free Meal on Duty — a freshly prepared meal every shift.
• Tips + Wagestream Access — track your earnings in real-time and access pay as you earn.
• Flexible Hours — we help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Learning & Development — grow your career with access to accredited training courses and continuous development opportunities.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for an enthusiastic, passionate Deputy General Manager who:

• Loves working with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and a daily-changing fish board.
• Takes pride in delivering a fantastic guest experience across a multi-building site with rooms, lodges and a sister property.
• Is a team player who contributes to a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a pub that's become a genuine village hub.
• Wants to grow their skills through training and accredited learning.

Ready to help run an award-winning dining pub at the heart of Constable Country?

Who Are Chestnut?

Chestnut is a growing group of beautiful pubs, inns, and bottle shops located in East Anglia. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where our team members are valued, offering flexibility and opportunities to thrive in their careers.