General Manager

Ottolenghi; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days leave

Staff meals on shift

Health plan

Staff discount

Refer a Friend bonus

Management coaching

Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy

Birthday treat

Parental pay after 2 years

Workshops and demos

Job summary

Ottolenghi is seeking a General Manager to lead our front-of-house teams at a premium hospitality venue in London. You will drive guest experience, foster a high-performance culture, and partner with the Head Chef and managers to uphold Ottolenghi’s standards.

With at least 2 years in a senior leadership role, you will blend financial acumen with exceptional people leadership to optimise service, cost control, and growth across the venue.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in premium hospitality environments
• Strong financial oversight and budgeting skills
• Exceptional people leadership and communication abilities
• Passion for Ottolenghi brand and guest experience

Responsibilities

• Lead a front-of-house team to high standards in a dynamic environment
• Foster a positive culture emphasising teamwork, learning, and accountability
• Ensure warm, seamless hospitality from guest arrival to departure
• Champion Ottolenghi values across service, presentation and ambience
• Collaborate with Front and Back of House Managers to maintain standards
• Work with Operations Manager to improve processes and identify growth opportunities
• Drive financial success through budgeting, cost control and strategic sales growth
• Collaborate on seasonal menus, product launches, and campaigns
• Manage recruitment, onboarding and ongoing staff training
• Monitor and improve processes including table planning, service flow, and health and safety
• Coordinate with Head Chef to ensure a memorable guest experience

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

People management

Customer experience

Job description

At Ottolenghi, we’re known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy—but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest.

Ottolenghi Spitalfields celebrates unrushed, seasonal flavours in the heart of east London. Back in 2015, Ottolenghi opened a beautiful restaurant and deli in the heart of the City of London.

What you’ll do

Lead a passionate front-of-house to achieve high standards in a supportive, dynamic environment.

Create a positive, respectful culture where teamwork, learning, and accountability are valued.

Ensure every guest enjoys warm, seamless hospitality from the moment they arrive to the last detail of their visit.

Champion Ottolenghi's values, standards, and ethos across every aspect of the operation,

and collaborate with Back of House and Front of House Managers to maintain these across service, presentation, and ambience.

Work closely with the Operations Manager to continuously improve processes, identify opportunities for growth, and ensure the venue is always operating at its best

Drive financial success through budgeting, cost control, and strategic sales growth.

Collaborate on seasonal menus, product launches, and campaigns to ensure every detail aligns with the brand.

Manage recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training, nursing your team's development and growth.

Monitor and continuously improve processes, including table planning, service flow, and health and safety compliance.

Work closely with the Head Chef and back-of-house team to ensure a seamless, memorable guest experience

What we’re looking for

Proven experience as a General Manager or in a senior leadership role in a premium hospitality environment, minimum of 2 years

A genuine passion for hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, cost control, and revenue management.

Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and empower a team.

A deep appreciation for Ottolenghi’s menu and ethos, and the ability to share this with both staff and guests.

Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to operational excellence.

Key skills

Outstanding leadership and people management skills.

Strong financial and commercial acumen.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels.

Highly organised with strong operational awareness and attention to detail.

Confident making decisions and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

Comfortable using relevant hospitality management and IT systems.

A genuine passion for hospitality, food, and the Ottolenghi brand.

What’s in it for you?

33 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays

Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount

Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts

Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral

Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy workshops, and access to external courses

A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated

Enhanced Parental Pay after two years’ service

A special birthday treat to celebrate your day

Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen

A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued

If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.