House Manager

WatchHouse - Belsize Park; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free coffee & drinks

Monthly coffee gift

Free lunch every shift

Team social budget

Annual WatchHouse party

30% off food

30% off retail coffee

Best-in-Class training

Career progression

Job summary

WatchHouse is seeking a House Manager to lead a busy cafe in London. You will drive guest experiences, financial performance, and operational excellence while owning the success of your team.

You will embed WatchHouse values, mentor staff, and ensure compliance, cleanliness, and service standards across daily operations, with a passion for hospitality and growth.

Qualifications

• Experience leading hospitality teams.
• Strong knowledge of Food Hygiene and H&S standards.
• Ability to manage finances and KPIs to drive revenue.

Responsibilities

• Motivate and empower your team to perform at their best.
• Own the house financials and KPIs, driving revenue and efficiency.
• Oversee daily operations to deliver the Modern Coffee Experience, daily.
• Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures and keep cafe well stocked.
• Mentor and develop your team, creating growth opportunities.
• Maintain compliance from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
• Uphold high standards of cleanliness, quality and service across the House.
• Create a vibrant, sociable workplace that employees are proud of.
• Address challenges proactively to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Work with senior management to align House with WatchHouse vision.

Skills

Core Values

Team Leadership

Food Hygiene

Health & Safety

Financial Metrics

Operations Management

Customer Experience

High-Volume Operations

Decision Making

Independent Leadership

Job description

House Manager, WatchHouse

A House Manager is the embodiment of WatchHouse – from Core Values to brand standards, the House Manager is a passionate, purpose‑driven leader who ensures your House delivers exceptional guest experiences, excellent financial performance, and operational excellence while owning the success of your team.

Reports to Area Operations Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Motivate and empower your team to consistently perform at their best, fostering a collaborative and passionate work environment.
• Take ownership of your House’s financials, focusing on KPIs, and continuously seeking ways to increase revenue and drive efficiency.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure the Modern Coffee Experience is delivered to every guest, every day, knowing that hospitality is what sets WatchHouse apart.
• Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures, proactively manage issues, and maintain a well‑stocked and functional cafe.
• Actively mentor and develop your team, ensuring opportunities for growth and development within WatchHouse.
• Manage and maintain all compliance in your House, from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
• Uphold and instill the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and service across the House.
• Create a vibrant, sociable, and exciting workplace that employees are proud to be a part of.
• Address challenges with a proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
• Work closely with senior management to align your House with WatchHouse’s vision and goals.

Key Skills

• Live and breathe the WatchHouse Core Values of Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do.
• Always maintain a high level of personal hygiene and appearance.
• A hands‑on leader who motivates and supports their team to achieve operational and personal excellence.
• Comprehensive understanding of Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards.
• Strong understanding of financial metrics and the ability to drive a profitable and high‑performing site.
• Skilled in managing both front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations in a high‑volume environment.
• Passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences with attention to detail and quality.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment, adjusting as needed to meet evolving business needs.
• Committed to mentoring and developing your team members to help them grow and succeed.
• Unwavering focus on cleanliness, organization, and maintaining impeccable service levels.
• Quick thinker who can address and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
• Confident in making decisions, taking ownership, and leading your House independently.

What can you expect at WatchHouse

• Free Coffee & Drinks – Sip on your favourite drinks, even on your days off.
• 40‑hour Contract – Benefit from stable, consistent hours with a schedule that supports life outside of work.
• Monthly Coffee Gift – Take home 250g of premium WatchHouse coffee every month.
• Free Lunch Every Shift – Fuel up with great food on the house.
• Team Social Budget – Celebrate, connect, and unwind with your team outside of work.
• Annual WatchHouse Party – Our legendary celebration featuring Core Value Awards and prizes like trips to coffee farms.
• 30% Off All Food – Any House, any time, just for being part of the team.
• 30% Off Retail Coffee – Stock up on your favourite WatchHouse blends whenever you like.
• Work in Beautifully Designed Houses – Join inspiring spaces equipped with industry‑leading tools, surrounded by passionate hospitality professionals.
• Supportive Managers – We listen, we care, and we adapt to support your needs.
• Best‑in‑Class Training – From your first shift, we set you up for success with on‑ and off‑shift development.
• Access to SCA Training – Advance your coffee expertise with recognised industry training (role dependent).
• Off‑Shift Induction Experience – Get to know WatchHouse culture with a full day induction in your first two weeks.
• Career Progression – With new Houses and growth across the business, your next step is never far away.

At WatchHouse, we were born from a passion to do better – driven by diligence, attention to detail, and a genuine care for our craft and our people. We champion diversity, insist on equality, and foster inclusion as a non‑negotiable part of our culture. Our team thrives in a respectful, collaborative environment where feedback is welcomed, support is mutual, and excellence is pursued together.