General Manager

Heartwood Collection; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Training program

Employee assistance

Referral bonus

Discounts

EarlyPay access

Maternity/paternity leave

Cycle to Work

Birthday gift

Long service recognition

Bedroom discounts

Job summary

Heartwood Collection is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a premium pub operation and guest experience at The Oaks. You will develop the team, own standards, and drive profitability while preparing for a major refurbishment and the launch of 20 boutique bedrooms.

As a visible leader, you’ll oversee rooms and reception where applicable, manage a high-volume fresh-food operation, and build strong relationships with guests and the local community, delivering hospitality that guests

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years' experience as a General Manager in a quality branded or multi-site hospitality environment.
• Proven track record of running a high-volume fresh-food operation.
• Strong commercial understanding including P&L, labour, sales, KPIs and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the floor and be highly visible with guests and your team.
• Oversee operations across hospitality and accommodation where applicable.
• Drive performance, standards, and guest experience to a best-in-class level.
• Prepare for refurbishment and launch of new bedrooms.

Skills

GM experience

P&L management

People development

Hospitality leadership

High-volume ops

Rooms & reception

Job description

Exceptional General Managers. Exceptional Hospitality.

At Heartwood Collection, we’re not just looking for a General Manager; we are looking for an exceptional hospitality leader who can build a brilliant team, deliver outstanding guest experiences, and take a successful business to the next level.

The Oaks is an established and much-loved pub with an exciting future ahead. In early 2027, the site will undergo a major refurbishment and introduce 20 beautiful boutique bedrooms, transforming it into an even more impressive hospitality destination.

This is a rare opportunity to join the business ahead of that transformation: strengthening the existing operation, developing the team and building strong relationships with guests and the local community. You will then play a leading role in preparing for the refurbishment, launching the new bedrooms and unlocking the full potential of the expanded business.

Across Heartwood Inns and Brasserie Blanc, our General Managers are at the heart of their businesses. They lead from the floor, know their guests, develop their people and take genuine ownership of everything from standards and culture to sales, labour and profitability.

You’ll be an accomplished General Manager with a strong track record in premium pubs, restaurants or fresh-food hospitality. Experience of leading a refurbishment, opening bedrooms or managing a business with accommodation would be particularly valuable

We’re Particularly Interested In Leaders Who Can Demonstrate

• 2–3+ years' experience as a General Manager, ideally within a quality branded or multi-site hospitality environment
• A proven track record of running a successful, high-volume fresh-food operation
• Strong commercial understanding, including P&L, labour, sales, KPIs and profitability
• The ability to lead from the front and be highly visible with both guests and your team
• A passion for developing people and building strong management teams
• High standards and an eye for the details that create an exceptional guest experience
• Confidence managing all aspects of a hospitality business, including rooms and reception where applicable
• A genuine desire to take ownership, drive performance and make your site the very best it can be

Above all, we're looking for people-first leaders with personality, energy and ambition — General Managers who inspire their teams and genuinely love hospitality.

General Manager- The Benefits

• Competitive salary package including TRONC and KPI-based bonus
• 48-hour contract
• Private healthcare with Bupa
• Bespoke training and career development through our Stepping Stones programme
• Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action
• Hundreds of discounts through Reward Gateway
• Instant access to pay through EarlyPay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Up to £1,500 referral bonus
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days' holiday
• 50% off food at Heartwood Inns and Brasserie Blanc, plus 20% for family and friends
• Discounts across our beautiful Inn bedrooms
• Birthday gift and Long Service Recognition
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Join an award-winning collection

Heartwood Collection Is Proud To Have Been Recognised As

• Sunday Times Best Places to Work – 2024
• Double winner – Publican Awards 2024
• Best Pub Brand/Concept – Publican Awards 2025

If you're an experienced General Manager who knows how to lead people, drive a business and create hospitality that guests want to return to, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your personality. Bring your standards. Bring your ambition. We'll give you the opportunity to make your mark.