Deputy General Manager

Vacherin; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Wellbeing / EAP access

Job summary

Vacherin is seeking a Deputy General Manager in London to lead day-to-day catering and hospitality operations across a busy corporate site. You will oversee retail, hospitality, events and related services, ensuring top-tier service, presentation and smooth coordination of multiple activities on a ten-floor site including a roof terrace.

The role demands strong leadership of an experienced team, managing client relationships and partners while maintaining premium standards.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day catering and hospitality operation across a busy corporate site.
• Lead retail, hospitality, events and associated services.
• Keep the site business-ready with exceptional service and presentation standards.
• Manage a complex 10-floor operation, including hospitality areas and a roof terrace.
• Coordinate multiple activities happening across the building at the same time.
• Support operations during a major refurbishment and mobilisation programme, covering office and hospitality areas.
• Ensure refurbishment activity does not impact service delivery.

Job description

At Vacherin, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We are Precise in delivering exceptional food and service, Personal in the way we build genuine relationships and care for others, and Bold in embracing new ideas, creativity and innovation. Together, we create memorable experiences for our clients while supporting each other to grow and succeed.

Are you passionate about food, drink and exceptional service? Would you like to join an award-winning hospitality team and still make it home for dinner? We're looking for a Deputy General Manager to join our team in London.

Salary: £50,000 per annum

Working Pattern: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location: London, EC2V 5DD

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Own the day-to-day catering and hospitality operation across a busy corporate site.
• Lead retail, hospitality, events and associated services.
• Keep the site business-ready with exceptional service and presentation standards.
• Manage a complex 10-floor operation, including hospitality areas and a roof terrace.
• Coordinate multiple activities happening across the building at the same time.
• Support operations during a major refurbishment and mobilisation programme, covering office and hospitality areas.
• Ensure refurbishment activity does not impact service delivery.

Hospitality & Events

• Oversee a high-volume hospitality operation, often managing five or six events per day across the building.
• Manage event staffing, service, clearing, washing up and preparation for the following day.
• Support the café/bar, catering for approximately 10 to 50 guests depending on building activity.
• Be flexible with later finishes when hospitality or events require additional support.

People Leadership

• Lead and motivate a mature, experienced and predominantly long-service team.
• Confidently manage different personalities and challenging people situations.
• Set clear expectations for performance, service and presentation.
• Be visible on the floor, providing strong, hands-on operational leadership.
• Build team accountability and address issues proactively.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with a highly detailed and demanding corporate client.
• Be a key operational contact between the catering team and client stakeholders.
• Build relationships with General Managers, departmental heads and wider stakeholders.
• Work closely with the landlord, suppliers and partners within the multi-tenanted building.
• Manage logistics including deliveries, back-of-house access and movement of staff and resources.
• Identify and resolve issues before they result in client tickets or complaints.

Standards & Attention to Detail

• Maintain exceptionally high standards across the operation.
• Have an excellent eye for detail across food, beverage and restaurant presentation.
• Recognise that small details matter, from clean and correctly presented tables to overall site standards.
• Maintain premium standards across workplace coffee and beverages, including matcha and premium hot chocolate.
• Respond quickly and professionally to concerns around food temperature, equipment, presentation or service.

Commercial Management

• Understand how operational decisions impact commercial and financial performance.
• Manage labour and resources effectively.
• Understand contract charging arrangements and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Support budget and financial performance while maintaining premium service standards.
• Balance commercial performance with an exceptional client experience.

Technology & Innovation

• Be comfortable using technology and AI-enabled tools within the restaurant and service environment.
• Use systems and technology to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Ideal Candidate

• Strong experience as a General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Catering Manager or senior operational leader.
• Experience in high-end corporate catering and hospitality is highly desirable.
• Experience managing a complex, multi-service operation, rather than a single restaurant or outlet.
• Strong experience across hospitality, events and retail catering.
• Excellent people-management skills, particularly with established or long-service teams.
• Confident managing strong personalities while maintaining positive relationships.
• Excellent client and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a passion for high standards.
• Able to multitask and prioritise across multiple events, services and requests.
• Proactive, spotting and resolving issues before the client needs to raise them.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, demanding and highly scrutinised environment.
• Confident working with multiple partners, contractors, landlords and stakeholders.
• Experience with mobilisation, refurbishment or operational change is a strong advantage.
• Flexible with working hours when business or events require it.
• Comfortable with technology and modern digital and AI-supported hospitality operations.

What's in it for you?

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Family friendly support
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• Volunteering days
• Recognition schemes and people award
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers

Job Reference: com/2909/48796001/52836346/SU #Vacherin

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!