Deputy General Manager

Compass Group UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a Deputy General Manager to join our flagship London corporate catering operation. You will support the General Manager in leading a large, multi-outlet service including retail cafés, staff dining, hospitality, and major events.

This role requires delivering operational excellence, building high-performing teams, maintaining compliance, and strengthening client relationships. It offers a Monday–Friday, daytime pattern in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a high-volume hospitality operation.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and allergen management.
• Commercial awareness with labour, stock and cost control experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across multiple outlets and hospitality services.
• Coach Heads of Department to build a high-performing management team.
• Drive service excellence and exceptional customer experiences across all channels.
• Ensure food safety, HACCP, safety regulations and audits are maintained.
• Monitor performance and implement improvements in efficiency and delivery.
• Support budgeting, labour planning and stock control to support financial targets.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders as a trusted partner.
• Oversee executive hospitality, private dining and large-scale events when required.
• Lead by example with high professional standards and operational discipline.
• Support strategic changes and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Financial awareness

IT skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Tools

Stock management software

Labour scheduling software

Microsoft Office

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!