General Manager

Houston & Hawkes; City Of London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Your birthday off – a little extra时间

Enhanced maternity, paternity and.adop

Free, freshly prepared meals while on.

Contributory pension scheme and life'

Employee Assistance Programme – confid

CODE Hospitality membership – access

Foodie Socials – time to discover

Learning and development – grow within

Our Summer Awards Party – celebration

Our Christmas Party – end-of-year gala

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes is looking for an experienced General Manager to join us at a prestigious corporate law firm in Central London. This maternity cover role takes the lead on a quality-driven contract catering site, from daily dining to client meetings and events, reflecting our standards and personality.

You will lead the team, collaborate with clients and chefs, and drive continuous improvement in service, menus and on-site operations while managing budgets, labour and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience as General Manager or Catering Manager in corporate contract catering.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a high-standard environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day running of a small corporate catering contract with retail dining and hospitality.
• Lead, motivate and develop the on-site team to maintain high standards.
• Build relationships with the client and deliver a responsive, professional service.
• Work with chefs to promote fresh, seasonal menus and quality dining experiences.
• Manage meetings, client lunches and events with attention to detail and budget control.
• Maintain food safety, allergen management and operational compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Budget & financial oversight

Food safety & compliance

Job description

GENERAL MANAGER – MATERNITY COVER

Central London | £46,000 per annum | Monday to Friday

Exceptional workplace dining. Brilliant hospitality. A team to be proud of.

Houston & Hawkes is looking for an experienced General Manager to join us at a prestigious corporate law firm in Central London.

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead at a quality-driven contract catering site where fresh, creative workplace dining sits alongside polished corporate hospitality. From the daily breakfast and lunch offer to client meetings, private dining and events, you’ll ensure every service reflects the high standards and personality of Houston & Hawkes.

We’re looking for someone who knows corporate catering inside out: a natural people leader, a trusted partner to the client and a commercially confident manager who cares about great food, exceptional service and the details that make a workplace feel special.

THE ROLE

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of a small corporate catering contract, across retail dining and hospitality.
• Lead, motivate and develop the team, creating a positive working culture and consistently high standards.
• Build a strong working relationship with the client, understanding their priorities and delivering a responsive, professional service.
• Work closely with the chef team to champion fresh, seasonal menus, engaging food displays and an excellent everyday dining experience.
• Oversee the delivery of meetings, client lunches and events, ensuring every detail is carefully managed.
• Manage budgets, labour, purchasing, stock and financial performance, with a clear focus on quality and value.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, allergen management, health and safety and operational compliance.
• Bring fresh ideas and a proactive approach to continually improving the offer and the experience for everyone on site.

ABOUT YOU

• An experienced General Manager or Catering Manager with a strong background in corporate contract catering.
• Confident managing both a workplace retail offer and high-quality corporate hospitality.
• Experience working in a law firm, financial services or another professional workplace would be an advantage.
• A genuine passion for food, presentation and delivering thoughtful, personal service.
• A hands-on and inspiring leader who enjoys developing people and building strong teams.
• Commercially aware, organised and confident managing client relationships and financial targets.
• Professional, approachable and comfortable taking ownership of a premium contract.

OUR BENEFITS – THE HOUSTON & HAWKES WAY

We know that our people make the difference. That’s why we offer more than a job: a welcoming, ambitious independent business where your contribution is valued, your ideas are heard and there’s always something worth celebrating.

• Your birthday off – a little extra time to celebrate your day
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Free, freshly prepared meals while on duty
• Contributory pension scheme and life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme – confidential support whenever you need it
• CODE Hospitality membership – access to a fantastic hospitality community and member benefits
• Foodie Socials – time to discover great food, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues who share your passion
• Learning and development – opportunities to build your skills and progress within a growing independent business
• Our Summer Awards Party – a special celebration of the people and achievements that make Houston & Hawkes what it is
• Our Christmas Party – a fantastic end-of-year celebration at an outstanding London venue, bringing our teams together in true Houston & Hawkes style

ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES

Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent contract caterer with a simple belief: workplace food should be something people genuinely look forward to. We bring fresh ideas, outstanding ingredients and a personal approach to the everyday dining and hospitality experiences we create for some of the UK’s most prestigious workplaces.

We’re proud to be a Certified B Corp, a recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise and recognised among The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality. We’ve built our reputation on exceptional food, brilliant people and partnerships that feel genuinely personal.