General Manager

Hareoldredding; Highcliffe-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TRONC and KPI-based bonus

Private healthcare with Bupa

Stepping Stones training and career发展

Employee Assistance Programme with Hab

Reward Gateway discounts

EarlyPay access

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Referral bonus (up to £1,500)

Holiday purchase option (up to 5 days)

50% off food at Heartwood Inns and Brs

20% off for family and friends

Discounts on Inn bedrooms

Long Service Recognition

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Heartwood Collection is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a premium hospitality operation at The Oaks, preparing for refurbishment and the introduction of 20 boutique bedrooms. You will develop the team, own standards, and build strong guest relationships.

You should have 2–3+ years GM experience in quality branded or multi-site hospitality, with a track record in high-volume fresh-food service and a sharp commercial outlook on P&L, labour, sales and KPIs.

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years' GM experience in premium hospitality.
• Proven track record of running a high-volume fresh-food operation.
• Strong commercial understanding including P&L, labour, sales and KPIs.
• Able to lead from the front and be highly visible to guests and staff.
• Passion for developing people and building strong management teams.
• High standards and attention to detail to create exceptional guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the floor in premium pubs/restaurants.
• Manage all aspects of the hospitality business including rooms and reception where applicable.
• Drive performance, profitability and guest satisfaction.
• Prepare for refurbishment and expansion plans with the team.
• Build strong relationships with guests and the local community.

Skills

General Manager experience

High-volume operation

Commercial thinking (P&L, labour, KPIs

People development

Guest-experience ownership

Visible leadership

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.

#LI-AC1

Compensation: To be discussed