Senior General Manager - Jamie Oliver Catherine Street

Set up by our visionary founder, The Jamie Oliver Group is a global and integrated food brand with a mission to help build a healthier, happier world through the joy of food.

From media and restaurants to products, partnerships, and the Ministry of Food, every part of our diverse business has a key role in making it easier for people to cook and enjoy better, healthier, more sustainable, and joyful meals—whether that’s in our homes, restaurants, or workplaces.

As a proud B Corp, we are committed to educating and inspiring people, workplaces, schools, and communities worldwide to help them make better choices, one meal at a time.

At The Jamie Oliver Group, we celebrate the fact that everyone is different and treat every colleague with dignity and respect. We know that diverse and inclusive teams help us deliver our best work, and we love to see applications from groups currently underrepresented in the creative industries.

WHY YOU’RE HERE

We’re looking for an exceptional Senior General Manager to lead Jamie Oliver Catherine Street, our flagship restaurant in Covent Garden's vibrant heart.

This is more than just a restaurant role; it’s a chance to bring to life Jamie Oliver’s vision of warm hospitality, incredible seasonal British produce, and proper British cooking—all with that signature Jamie Oliver twist. Inspired by Jamie’s childhood in The Cricketers pub in Clavering, Catherine Street champions the best of British food and drink. We honour tradition while adding our own modern flair. The space is fast-paced, full of theatre, and always buzzing with locals, tourists, and theatregoers alike.

As Senior General Manager, you’ll be the restaurant’s operational and cultural heartbeat — leading a high-performing team, delivering standout guest experiences, and owning the restaurant’s day-to-day success across service, culture, and commercial delivery.

This role is about leading with energy, precision, and heart — bringing Jamie’s vision to life with every service, every dish, and every guest interaction.

You’ll strike the balance between commercial performance and unforgettable hospitality, motivating your team, creating a positive culture, and delivering against ambitious targets.

To thrive in this role, you’ll be:

• Genuinely passionate about food, people, and British hospitality
• Connected to Jamie Oliver’s values, brand, and wider mission
• Hands-on and enthusiastic — leading by example across all parts of the restaurant
• Commercially driven, with a professional and goal-oriented approach
• Highly organised and structured, able to prioritise and deliver in a complex operation
• A natural leader — people-focused, emotionally intelligent, motivational, and fair
  

WHAT YOU’RE HERE TO DO

People Development

• Lead recruitment processes through structured interviews and trial shifts, collaborating with Senior Line Managers and the Head Chef.
• Ensure all team members are trained to brand standards and have tailored development pathways that reflect individual potential and business needs.
• Conduct quarterly performance reviews, setting SMART objectives and clear development plans to support progression and engagement.
• Oversee management trials and internal promotion processes, ensuring they align with company standards and succession plans.
• Support the Head of Operations in shaping the restaurant’s strategic direction, particularly during new openings, ensuring a fully trained and engaged team is in place.

Delivering Sales & Profit

• Own responsibility for achieving agreed sales, profitability, and KPI targets for the restaurant.
• Maintain optimal staffing levels aligned with business trends while upholding service quality and guest experience.
• To maximise revenue, identify and drive all commercial opportunities, including upselling, events, and guest initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong financial acumen, with a deep understanding of the P&L, and ensure budgeted profitability is achieved through rigorous control of:
  • Labour costs
  • Food and beverage GP
  • Operational overheads and sundry spend
• Prepare accurate sales forecasts and labour scheduling, using historical and forward-looking data to plan effectively.
• Monitor all procurement, ensuring consumable and non-consumable spend aligns with forecasted covers and cost-per-cover targets.

Shift & Service Leadership

• Evolve and uphold the brand’s high standards by ensuring flawless set-up, service, and close-down procedures across every shift.
• Lead energising and informative pre-shift briefs, ensuring the team is motivated, aligned, and aware of their responsibilities.
• Actively manage floor and kitchen operations, staying close to service to support teams, identifying issues, and spotting opportunities to elevate guest experience.
• Champion consistent food and service quality delivery through close observation, interaction, and timely coaching.
• Build positive guest relationships on every shift and lead a guest-first culture within the team.
• Handle any guest complaints with professionalism and empathy, resolving issues in line with brand values.

Internal & External Communication

• Communicate brand standards consistently across all levels — through pre-shift briefs, management meetings, and team forums.
• Foster a culture of ownership, motivation, and recognition by running performance incentives and celebrating success.
• Build an inclusive and connected team environment using internal communication tools, newsletters, and team-building activities.
• Represent the brand professionally with all external partners, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Manage online guest feedback (e.g. Google, TripAdvisor, OpenTable), ensuring the restaurant’s online presence reflects excellence.

Health, Hygiene & Safety

• Ensure all hygiene and food safety standards meet internal expectations and legal requirements.
• Conduct weekly hygiene and compliance checks, swiftly addressing any areas of non-compliance.
• Ensure all managers and chefs are fully trained in food safety protocols, maintaining a culture of cleanliness and diligence.

Compliance & Legal Standards

• Ensure full adherence to all legal and company policies, working in partnership with central teams to uphold:
  • Fire safety
  • Health & Safety regulations
    
  • Licensing laws
    
  • Environmental Health Standards
  • Employment law (including grievance and disciplinary procedures)
• Facilitate all legally required training and ensure certification records are maintained and current.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Proven experience managing a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant environment.
  
• Experience delivering new concepts or managing successful new openings
• A minimum of 5 years in a GM role, with a strong track record in hiring, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to control key cost lines — labour, gross profit, and operational expenditure — and confidently analyse and act on P&L performance
• Deep understanding of what great hospitality looks like and how to deliver it consistently

Other information

What we offer in return:

• Competitive salary & bonus including Tronc
• Private medical cover
• Life insurance & permanent health insurance
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme at no cost
• Access to a corporate Classpass membership
• Lots of training and development opportunities
• 28 days holiday per annum
• Excellent company discounts such as access to Perkbox and CODE Hospitality app which gives you exclusive discounts in your favourite restaurants, bars and hotels around the UK