Restaurant General Manager

Borde Hill; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned estate in Sussex is seeking an experienced General Manager to shape food and beverage operations at The Stables. This role involves leading a new team, ensuring guest satisfaction, and maintaining high standards of service. Ideal candidates have extensive hospitality management experience and a commitment to excellence. The position offers a unique opportunity to impact a family-led business focused on sustainability and culinary excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in hospitality management with a focus on food and beverage operations.
• Strong leadership skills in managing and inspiring a diverse team.
• Proficient in budgeting and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across all departments.
• Oversee staff recruitment and training.
• Ensure guest satisfaction and handle feedback.
• Maintain high standards of service and compliance.
• Work closely with culinary and events teams.

Skills

Leadership

Staff recruitment

Budget management

Guest satisfaction

Compliance

Job description

Company Description

Borde Hill is a family-owned estate in West Sussex with a botanically-rich garden and parkland open to 70,000 visitors each year. Listed as Grade II* historic importance and set in 383 acres of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Borde Hill features one of the rarest collections of privately owned champion trees in the UK, and has a cultural calendar of events throughout the season. The Stephenson Clarke family have been custodians for five generations, and at a time of generational change are bringing new energy and opportunities aimed at diversifying the estate, with a focus on hospitality, biodynamic estate-grown produce and sustainability. Located just 40 minutes from London, 20 minutes from Brighton, and 10 minutes from Gatwick Airport, Borde Hill is uniquely positioned to engage a wide audience, both nationally and internationally.

The original 1906 Stables is being transformed into a series of dining destinations including a Pantry, Café (52 covers), Workshop space, and a stunning new glasshouse restaurant and bar (90 covers) overlooking the reimagined ‘edimental’ walled kitchen garden – all of which will embody an ethos of ‘casual excellence’.

The Stables will be a new culinary destination in the heart of Sussex, celebrating nature, produce, people, and Borde Hill’s plant heritage. Our food will be inspired by the changing seasons and the abundance of nature around us. We will use classic methods and the finest ingredients available each day from our biodynamic farm, to create seasonal, heartfelt dishes which bring the garden to the plate. We will also host a variety of small and large-scale events, ranging from guest‑chef suppers to private functions. The Stables will be served by produce grown on our 2‑acre biodynamic market garden, and from foraging on the wider estate.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic General Manager to help shape and lead our F&B operations at The Stables, recruiting and inspiring a new team, and driving excellence across all aspects of the guest experience. Reporting to the MD of Borde Hill, this is a career-defining opportunity to have real impact on a family‑led business that is rooted in nature, bringing creativity and motivation to a new team and hospitality business which you would play a key role in establishing and shaping.

Team Lead responsibilities and qualifications

• Lead day-to-day operations across all departments, including running shifts during all key trading times
• Oversee staff recruitment, training, succession planning, and performance
• Work in partnership with the Head Chef and Exec Chef to create a culture of excellence among a young but committed team in a new hospitality business
• Ensure guest satisfaction and handle escalated feedback professionally
• Maintain high standards of service, cleanliness, and compliance
• Develop and manage budgets, targets, and reporting
• Work closely with the culinary and events teams to deliver events
• Lead on health & safety, licensing, and food hygiene compliance