General Manager (GM) - Wivenhoe House Hotel Colchester, England
Job description
GENERAL MANAGER (GM)
We are actively searching for a new, dynamic, General Manager, with a proven track record in hospitality management, to lead all aspects of our hotel operations.
Wivenhoe House is a beautiful 18th Century four-star hotel, near to the pretty quayside village of Wivenhoe, and minutes from Britain’s oldest recorded town, Colchester. The hotel not only offers luxury, overnight accommodation, but also accommodates weddings, conferences, private parties and more. Wivenhoe House runs popular hotel events and has a thriving brasserie bar & restaurant which includes a 110 cover modern restaurant and 120 cover banqueting facilities. The hotel is in the initial stages of realising an ambitious Capital development plan to further develop and enhance its facilities over the next few years.
Wivenhoe House is also home to the Edge Hotel School which presents our new General Manager with a unique and remarkable opportunity to be a part of the moulding and training of future hoteliers as they undertake the practical aspect of their Degree training whilst on rotation in the Hotel.
Duties of the Role
The Hotel General Manager would have overall responsibility for all of the operational standards, activities and services within Wivenhoe House. The GM has operational control to ensure the efficient and effective management of the hotel to the satisfaction of the guests and oversight of the deployment of the student practitioners in cooperation with the Principal of the Edge Hotel School.
While taking a strategic overview and planning ahead to ensure the efficient and effective management of the hotel within the commercial and educational objectives, the GM must also pay attention to detail, set the highest professional example for staff and students, to deliver a standard of service and presentation that meets guests' needs and expectations.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: General Manager (GM)
Contract: Permanent, full time
Hours: Notional 40 hour week, 5 days from 7
Salary: £65,000 plus competitive performance bonus
Responsible to: Director of Campus Services
Purpose of job: The GM is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Wivenhoe House Hotel, its permanent staff and the student practitioners. The GM has commercial accountability for planning, organising and directing all hotel services
Duties of the Post
Strategic Leadership:
1. Spearhead the realisation of our collective vision for future capital development and facility enhancement plans.
2. Set the strategic direction of the hotel by crafting and executing comprehensive plans that align with the organisation's goals and objectives.
3. Lead the development of service standards for all operating areas within the hotel
4. Lead the delivery of annual action plans.
5. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key departments across the University, including (but not limited to), Edge Hotel school, University of Essex Campus Services, Estates Management, People and Culture, Finance, Planning and Resourcing.
Operational Excellence:
6. Meticulously plan and orchestrate all aspects of accommodation, food and beverage, and auxiliary hotel services.
7. Promote and develop Wivenhoe house as a high quality 4* country house hotel offering the highest possible standards.
8. Elevate the brand through innovative promotion and strategic marketing efforts.
9. Diligently manage budgets, financial plans, and control expenditures.
10. Establish and optimise robust systems, processes, procedures, controls, and communication channels across the organization.
11. Maintain statistical and financial records.
12. Setting, pursuing, and surpassing sales and contribution targets.
13. Identifying, recruiting, training, nurturing, and continuously monitoring our exceptional staff.
14. Crafting agile work schedules that align with our educational and commercial objectives.
15. Ensuring the seamless execution of pro-active duty management protocols.
Exceptional Guest Experience:
16. Personally engaging with and extending warm hospitality to our valued customers.
17. Swiftly addressing customer concerns, complaints, and feedback.
18. Proactively troubleshooting challenges to ensure guest satisfaction.
19. Ensuring the flawless execution of events and conferences within our establishment.
Facility Oversight:
20. Supervising property maintenance, supplies, renovations, and interior furnishings.
21. Collaborating effectively with contractors and suppliers.
22. Vigilantly maintaining the effectiveness of our security measures.
23. Conducting comprehensive property and service inspections.
Compliance:
24. Ensuring strict adherence to licensing laws, health and safety regulations, and all other statutory requirements.
Additional Responsibilities:
25. Promote the concept and philosophy of the Edge Hotel School to the widest range of audiences including potential students, politicians, educational institutions and professional associations
26. Serving as a representative of the Hotel and School, both internally and externally.
27. Flexibly undertaking any other responsibilities as needed to support our dynamic operational environment.
These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake.
They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances and do not form part of the contract of employment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Hotel General Manager (GM)
Qualifications /Training:
- A qualification in Hospitality Management or equivalent relevant professional qualification
Experience/Knowledge:
- Proven experience of budget setting and working to and achieving financial performance targets
- Experience of developing and implementing innovative and successful solutions in either a hotel or related context
- Has a track record of entrepreneurial success in a relevant business field
- Experience of mentoring and coaching colleagues and trainees
Skills/Abilities:
- Evidence of capability of effective team building and team working
- Self-confident and self-motivated; ‘can do’ attitude
- Willingness and enthusiasm to lead by example
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to vocational education and work based learning
- Ability to identify and respond to issues with flexible, effective and, where appropriate, innovative solutions
- Excellent management and leaderships skills
- Proven successful ability to lead, manage and develop a large diverse team of professional staff
- Ability to contribute to the development and strategy of the Hotel School
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills: ability to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders
- Ability to prioritise, take and implement decisions to achieve agreed objectives.
Other:
- A sustained reputation for excellence in the professional hotel and hospitality field
- Active at national level in the professional field with an established national network of contacts and engagement with relevant business sectors and professional bodies
- Ability to meet requirements of the UK right to work legislation
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
- NEST Pension
- Competitive bonus scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement (36 days)
- Relocation Assistance
- Temporary Settlement accommodation if required
- Training and development opportunities
- Employee discounts on retail items, sports centre and day nursery through the University
Closing Date: 8 October 2023
For additional information or to apply please contact Steph Harrop Williams, Hotel Assistant Manager on 01206 863666 or email [email protected]
* Wivenhoe House is a subsidiary of The University of Essex and has a responsibility under the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 to ensure that all employees are eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing employment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide documentary evidence to this effect. Please note that the University will not be able to issue a Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship for this post.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Colchester: reliably commute or be willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (required)
Experience:
- Hotel Management: 5 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
- Hospitality Management qualification (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 08/10/2023
Reference ID: Post Ref: WHH381
