General Manager / Support Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

Pension scheme

Free meals on duty

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

CODE Hospitality membership

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes is seeking an experienced General Manager / Support Manager to provide hands-on leadership across a portfolio of prestigious London client sites. You will work with the Operations Manager to cover GMs during holidays, support mobilisations and key projects, and uphold exceptional food, hospitality and service standards.

Ideal candidates will have strong general management experience in contract catering, with the ability to move between sites and coach teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Strong experience as a General Manager, Support Manager or senior hospitality manager within contract catering.
• Experience managing premium food and hospitality operations.
• The confidence and flexibility to move between different London sites and adapt quickly.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Operations Manager, providing hands-on operational support across London.
• Support a portfolio of prestigious client sites, stepping in wherever additional leadership is required.
• Cover General Managers during holidays, absence and other periods of operational need.
• Support mobilisations, projects or new contract activity across sites.
• Lead, motivate and support site teams, maintaining standards across all operations.

Job description

GENERAL MANAGER /SUPPORT MANAGER

Houston & Hawkes | London | £46,000 per annum | Monday to Friday

Variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a real impact across some of our most prestigious London client sites.

Houston & Hawkes is looking for an experienced Support Manager / General Manager to work closely with the Operations Manager, providing hands-on support across a portfolio of prestigious London client sites. This is a varied senior role for someone who can step confidently into different operations, support our teams and help maintain exceptional standards wherever they are needed.

From covering General Managers during holidays to supporting mobilisations, projects and busy periods, no two weeks will look exactly the same. You'll bring strong leadership, commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-focused approach, becoming a trusted source of support for both the Operations Manager and our site teams.

THE ROLE

• Work closely with the Operations Manager, providing hands-on operational support across London
• Support a portfolio of prestigious client sites, stepping in wherever additional leadership is required
• Cover General Managers during holidays, absence and other periods of operational need
• Support mobilisations, new contract activity and key operational projects
• Step confidently into different sites and quickly understand their teams, service and priorities
• Maintain exceptional food, hospitality and service standards across every operation you support
• Lead, motivate and support site teams, providing stability and direction when required
• Build strong relationships with clients, site teams and key stakeholders
• Support operational planning, staffing, training and continuous service improvement
• Assist with budgets, labour, purchasing, stock and key commercial controls
• Identify opportunities to improve standards, service delivery and operational efficiency
• Support compliance across health and safety, food safety, allergens and company procedures

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Strong experience as a General Manager, Support Manager or senior hospitality manager within contract catering
• Experience managing premium food and hospitality operations
• The confidence and flexibility to move between different London sites and adapt quickly
• Strong leadership skills with a supportive, hands-on management style
• Excellent commercial awareness and confidence working with budgets, labour and operational figures
• Experience supporting mobilisations, projects or new contract activity would be highly desirable
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage changing priorities
• Strong client and stakeholder relationship skills
• A polished, professional approach and exceptional attention to detail
• The ability to coach, motivate and bring out the best in teams
• A positive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to take ownership

WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?

• £46,000 per annum
• Monday to Friday
• A varied senior role supporting prestigious London client sites
• The opportunity to work closely with the Operations Manager across projects and mobilisations
• Birthday off every year
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Free meals on duty
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• CODE Hospitality membership
• Ongoing learning, development and genuine career progression
• Summer Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements
• An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London's outstanding venues

ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES

Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK's most prestigious client sites.

We're a Certified B Corp, recipient of the Kings Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality.

If you are an experienced hospitality leader who enjoys variety, thrives on supporting people and wants to make a difference across multiple London operations, we would love to hear from you.