Deputy General Manager

Restaurant Associates UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Restaurant Associates UK is seeking an experienced Deputy General Manager to join the leadership team at one of London's flagship corporate catering operations. You will support the General Manager in leading a multi-outlet operation, including retail cafés, staff dining, hospitality and large-scale events.

The role requires driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, maintaining compliance, and building strong client relationships.

Qualifications

• Experienced hospitality leader with a proven track record.
• Experience in corporate contract catering or private education.
• Strong leadership across multiple departments.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and health & safety.
• People-first approach with hands-on leadership.
• Able to inspire, coach and develop others.
• Commercial awareness managing labour, stock and operations.
• Confidence building relationships with senior clients.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible schedule including occasional early starts.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in the day-to-day leadership of a busy, multi-outlet catering operation.
• Lead, coach and develop Heads of Department to create a high performing, engaged, and accountable management team.
• Drive exceptional service standards across retail, hospitality, staff dining and events, ensuring an outstanding customer experience.
• Champion food safety, health & safety, allergen management and statutory compliance, ensuring the operation remains audit-ready at all times.
• Monitor operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve standards, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Support financial performance through effective labour planning, stock management and cost control.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted operational partner.
• Oversee the successful delivery of executive hospitality, private dining, working lunches and large-scale annual events when required.
• Lead by example, maintaining exceptional standards of professionalism, presentation and operational discipline.
• Support the General Manager in delivering cultural change, continuous improvement initiatives and business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

People mgmt

Food safety

Health & safety

Allergen mgmt

Commercial awareness

Labour planning

Stock management

Client relationships

Organisation

Job description

Deputy General Manager | £50,000 per annum

We're looking for an experienced and ambitious Deputy General Manager to join the leadership team at one of London's flagship corporate catering operations.

This is a highly visible role responsible for supporting the General Manager in leading a multi-faceted operation, including retail cafés, staff dining, hospitality, and large-scale events. You'll be instrumental in driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, maintaining exceptional compliance standards, and building strong relationships with both clients and stakeholders.

This role would suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys leading from the front, and has a passion for delivering outstanding hospitality while maintaining robust operational governance. The role benefits from a Monday to Friday, daytime pattern.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in the day-to-day leadership of a busy, multi-outlet catering operation.
• Lead, coach and develop Heads of Department to create a high performing, engaged, and accountable management team.
• Drive exceptional service standards across retail, hospitality, staff dining and events, ensuring an outstanding customer experience.
• Champion food safety, health & safety, allergen management and statutory compliance, ensuring the operation remains audit-ready at all times.
• Monitor operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve standards, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Support financial performance through effective labour planning, stock management and cost control.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted operational partner.
• Oversee the successful delivery of executive hospitality, private dining, working lunches and large-scale annual events when required.
• Lead by example, maintaining exceptional standards of professionalism, presentation and operational discipline.
• Support the General Manager in delivering cultural change, continuous improvement initiatives and business objectives.

About You

You'll be an experienced hospitality leader with a proven track record of delivering operational excellence within a corporate contract catering environment or private education.

You'll Also Bring

• Strong leadership experience managing multiple departments within a high-volume hospitality operation.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, health & safety, allergen management and compliance.
• A people first approach in tandem with a hands-on leadership style.
• The ability to inspire, coach and develop others.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing labour, stock and operational performance.
• Confidence building relationships with senior clients and stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Strong IT skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining consistently high standards.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach, remaining calm under pressure.
• Flexibility to support the operational needs of the business, including occasional early starts.

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together.Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/2008/G78602/52817975/R/SU #RA Group

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers.

We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members.

We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!