Country House Assistant Manager

HF Holidays; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A heritage brand in tourism is seeking a Country House Assistant Manager in Cheltenham, England. The successful candidate will focus on guest service excellence, front of house management, and team development in a picturesque country house setting. Ideal applicants will possess a strong background in hospitality and outstanding leadership qualities. Live in accommodation is included, and a range of benefits is offered.

Benefits

33 days holiday pro rata

Pension contributions

Volunteer day

Group life assurance

Cinema discounts

Online shopping discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Virtual GP

Health & wellbeing support

Exclusive holiday discounts

Annual familiarization visit

Responsibilities

• Engage with guests to create a warm atmosphere and monitor guest service.
• Lead the front of house team to ensure brand standards in all areas.
• Support property maintenance and address repairs with the maintenance team.
• Foster teamwork and a positive culture among staff.
• Leverage central support for recruitment and health and safety matters.
• Deputise for the House Manager on their days off.

Skills

Commercial background in the tourism or hospitality industry

Track record of successful operational management

Exemplary customer service skills

Flexibility and adaptability to varied working hours

Job description

COUNTRY HOUSE ASSISTANT MANAGER

• Location: Harrington House, Sherborne Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, GL54 2BY
• Contract: Permanent, Full Time
• Salary: £32,086 per annum
• Reporting to: House Manager
• Live in: Live in accommodation available inclusive of all bills, 3 meals per day, Laundry & Free wifi

Job Benefits

• 33 Days Holiday pro rata inclusive of bank holidays
• Pension Contributions
• Volunteer Day
• Group Life Assurance
• Cinema Discounts
• Online Shopping Discounts
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Virtual GP
• Health & Wellbeing Support 24 / 7 Helplines with access to trained counsellors for support
• Exclusive discounts on our holidays for you, your friends and family
• Annual familiarization visit at any of our country houses

About the role

Nestled within the breathtaking area of outstanding natural beauty, our Harrington country house proudly boasts 29 elegantly appointed bedrooms, providing a serene retreat for up to 47 guests embarking on guided or self‑guided tour holidays.

As the Country House Assistant Manager, your role revolves around supporting the House Manager to deliver an exceptional standard of guest service, ensuring every part of the house operates at the pinnacle of excellence.

Responsibilities

• Guest Service Excellence: Engage and interact with our guests, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere and monitor every aspect of guest service, leaving no room for compromise on our commitment to excellence.
• Front of House Management: Lead the front of house team, ensuring pristine conditions in all bedrooms and public areas meet our brand standards.
• Property Maintenance and Appearance: Support the House Manager in addressing internal and external repairs and property defects, and work with the maintenance team to uphold the appearance of the garden, grounds and overall Country House aesthetics to align with brand standards.
• Team Development & Culture: Foster a culture of teamwork and harmony with the staff, recognising the crucial role it plays in the overall success of the house.
• Centralised Support: Leverage the support of our central Human Resources team for recruitment, performance management and conduct‑related matters, and work with the central support operations team for the implementation and upkeep of all facets of Health and Safety, purchasing, stock management control and reporting.
• Deputise for the House Manager covering days off and annual leave.

As an Assistant General Manager your role encapsulates not just management but a commitment to creating an environment where every detail reflects the excellence that defines our brand.

What are we looking for?

We would love to hear from you if you have these essential skills:

• Commercial background in the tourism or hospitality industry.
• Track record of successful operational management within a hotel, country house or similar establishment (Assistant Hotel Managers, Country House Assistant Managers, Hotel Assistant General Managers or Assistant Hospitality Managers).
• Exemplary customer service skills and ability to excel as a team leader.
• Flexibility and adaptability to varied working hours, particularly during evenings and weekends.

About HF Holidays

HF Holidays are a B Corp Certified British heritage brand with over 110 years of experience organising walking holidays in the UK, Europe and beyond.

We’ve been leading the way since 1913 and offer over 260 carefully curated guided and self‑guided walking tours on six continents and in 40 destinations worldwide.

Run as a co‑operative, we put people at the heart of everything we do and are proud to be part of a community with a shared passion for the great outdoors.

Friendship, fun, fresh air, and the feel‑good factor have always been our guiding principles.

Our 500‑strong team are based remotely at our Head Office in Hertfordshire and across our 15 country houses located in some of the UK’s best‑liked national parks and National Landscapes.