General Manager

Turtle Bay; Colchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A Caribbean-themed restaurant in Colchester is looking for an inspiring General Manager to lead their team and create a warm, welcoming environment for guests. You will be responsible for setting the restaurant's tone, ensuring high standards of service, and fostering a supportive team culture. Applicants should have proven leadership experience, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for hospitality. The role offers competitive pay, career progression opportunities, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

70% discount at Turtle Bay for you and up to 6 friends

Career progression and training

Enhanced family leave pay

Mental Health First Aid training

Loyalty bonuses and relocation package

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a high-volume restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to inspire and develop team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the restaurant team to deliver exceptional service.
• Manage the overall performance and standards of the restaurant.
• Build strong connections with the local community.

Skills

Commercial acumen

People management

Customer service

Problem-solving

Job description

Overview

Turtle Bay – General Manager

We’re on the lookout for a warm, inspiring, and people-focused General Manager to join our Turtle Bay family in Colchester.

Who We Are

We’re on the lookout for a warm, inspiring, and people-focused General Manager to join our Turtle Bay family in Colchester.

Turtle Bay is all about introducing you to that carefree, island way of life. A Caribbean kitchen and beach bar where the food, drinks and music flow from morning 'til night.

Everyone invited. Our team can tell if you need coffee, cocktail, cold beer or plate of cutters full of flavour. And our people serve up the magic and warmth of the Caribbean every day, so that everyone feels relaxed and welcome here. We’re here to create genuine connections and put people at ease. By welcoming guests with our natural hosting skills and unpretentious atmosphere.

We bring people together. Strangers become friends and the bartender knows you by name. Were lunch drifts into sundowners.

What We’re All About

We live by the spirit of One Love – a universal love and acceptance of all people. At Turtle Bay, we celebrate individuality, recognise differences and make it easy for people to be themselves. We take inspiration from the Caribbean culture – the music, the food, the drink, and of course those chilled out vibes.

Our Rewards

• Great pay and excellent rewards
• Career progression and training with professional development and mentoring
• Apprenticeship opportunities, including our exclusive Jamaica course (achieve Level 5 Management qualification!)
• Enhanced family leave pay
• 70% discount at Turtle Bay for you and up to 6 friends
• Remote GP access, prescriptions, mental health, and physiotherapy support for you and your family
• Mental Health First Aid training and 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Loyalty bonuses and relocation package opportunities
• Referral bonuses up to £1,000

About the Role

As a General Manager at Turtle Bay, you lead the heartbeat of the restaurant. You create an environment where everyone feels relaxed and welcomed – from your team to every single guest. You’re the energy in the room, setting the tone for your team and making sure your restaurant feels full of life.

You balance strong commercial acumen with warmth and care. You know how to drive the business forward, build strong local connections, and develop your team to shine. You’ll be responsible for performance, standards, and the delivery of our exceptional guest experience – but above all, you’ll inspire others to have fun, take pride, and bring the best version of themselves to work.

You’re solution-focused, resilient and always curious – open to new ideas and passionate about improving. You nurture your people with confidence, lead from the front, and create a space where growth is natural and support is always there.

We’re proud to champion equality, inclusion and wellbeing at Turtle Bay. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and celebrated for who they are.

Next Steps…

Hit the apply button, upload your CV and answer a couple of quick questions. One of our friendly Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch with you soon.