General Manager

Bella Italia; Southampton; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A popular Italian restaurant chain in Southampton is looking for a General Manager to lead the team and deliver exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership skills, a passion for developing people, and commercial awareness. Join a dynamic environment offering competitive pay, career development opportunities, and amazing perks that prioritize team wellbeing.

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits

50% off food and drink

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing support and programs

Access to wages before payday

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a leader in a high-energy hospitality environment.
• Passionate about developing people and delivering guest experiences.
• Ability to understand commercial impacts of decisions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional guest experiences as the face of the restaurant.
• Drive performance to meet and exceed restaurant goals.
• Inspire and develop the team in a fun, motivating environment.
• Ensure safety and compliance in restaurant operations.
• Maintain commercial awareness to support business decisions.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Team development

Job description

Overview

At Bella Italia, we believe that the best moments in life are spent with loved ones—sharing food, friendship, and laughter around the Italian table. If you’re a passionate leader who loves hospitality and thrives in a high-energy environment, this is the role for you! General Manager.

Why Bella Italia

We know that happy teams create amazing guest experiences, so we offer:

• Competitive Pay & Benefits – 45-hour contract, quarterly bonus, and referral bonus scheme.
• Amazing Discounts – 50% off food and drink across all Big Table Group brands and 25% for friends & family.
• Career Development – Fully funded apprenticeships in Operations Management (Level 5), L&D, HR, or Marketing (Levels 3, 4 & 5).
• Salary Sacrifice Scheme – Make the most of tax-efficient savings on National Insurance, pension contributions, and a range of lifestyle benefits.
• Wellbeing & Support – Our We Care program includes a 24/7 virtual GP, mental health support, healthcare cash plan, dental plan, a second medical opinion service, and more.
• Perks & Rewards – Access to wages before payday, discounted gym memberships, and savings on theme parks, shopping, and more!
• Team Competitions & Events – Win a trip to Italy, team parties, and even a chance to win e-points to spend on your favourite retailers.

What You’ll Do

• Lead from the front—delivering exceptional guest experiences and being the face of the restaurant.
• Drive performance—achieving and exceeding brand and restaurant goals.
• Inspire & develop your team—creating a fun, motivating environment while nurturing internal talent.
• Ensure safety & compliance—keeping the restaurant running smoothly and legally.
• Be commercially aware understanding how every decision impacts the wider business.

Who We’re Looking For

We don’t just look for experience—we look for leaders. If you’re a strong communicator, passionate about developing people, and thrive in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment, we want to hear from you. We believe everyone belongs at Bella Italia, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where you can be yourself and grow. If you need any adjustments during the hiring process, let us know—we’re happy to help.

Join the Bella Italia family today and work somewhere awesome! Don’t just take our word for it—we’ve been recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025!

Apply now and take the next step in your leadership journey!