General Manager
The Ticket Office Bar, Ilkley
We're looking for a General Manager to lead The Ticket Office Bar, one of Ilkley's busiest independent cocktail bars and event venues.
This is an opportunity for a genuine hospitality professional to take ownership of an established £1m turnover business, lead a team of around 25 people, and play a key role in shaping the future of a thriving independent venue.
We're not looking for someone to simply manage shifts. We're looking for someone who loves hospitality, enjoys building great teams, understands what makes a successful business tick, and wants to make their mark on a venue they're proud to call their own.
A Little About Us
The Ticket Office Bar has become one of Ilkley's best-known bars, serving expertly crafted cocktails, great drinks and creating memorable experiences for our guests seven days a week.
From relaxed daytime drinks and after-work catch-ups to packed Saturday nights, private parties, celebrations and late-night trading, we're proud to be a venue that's firmly part of the local community.
As an independent business, we believe the best hospitality comes from people who genuinely care. We don't believe in head office tick-box exercises, endless reporting structures or layers of approval. We believe in giving great people the freedom, trust and support to run a successful business.
Why Join Us?
Package
- £45,000 basic salary
- Performance-related bonus of up to £10,000
- Approximately £1,200 annual tips
- Total package circa £56,200
- Self-employed arrangement available if preferred
Additional Benefits
- Leadership and business development training
- Company pension scheme
- Discounted meals on shift
- Full handover and support from the current General Manager
- Genuine autonomy within an independent business
The Role
As General Manager, you'll be responsible for every aspect of the operation.
You'll have ownership of the venue's performance, including sales, profitability, labour, stock control, people development and guest experience. While you'll have responsibility for the numbers, this is far from an office-based role.
We are looking for a leader who enjoys being on the floor, engaging with guests, supporting their team and setting the standard every day.
You'll inherit an established team, experienced supervisors and a structured handover period with the current General Manager to ensure you're fully set up for success.
Working closely with the owners, you'll have the opportunity to influence the direction of the business, bring forward ideas and help drive continued growth.
Success in This Role Looks Like:
- Building and retaining a motivated, engaged team
- Delivering consistently exceptional guest experiences
- Driving sales and profitability
- Developing future supervisors and managers from within
- Maintaining high operational standards across the business
- Creating a venue that people genuinely want to visit and work in
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading a team of approximately 25 people
- Recruiting, coaching and developing team members
- Creating a positive culture that values hard work, accountability and enjoyment
- Managing labour, stock, margins and overall profitability
- Taking ownership of the venue's P&L
- Overseeing private events, functions and late-night trading
- Conducting appraisals, performance conversations and development plans
- Managing employee relations and HR matters where required
- Working alongside the owners to identify opportunities for growth and improvement
If you haven't had full P&L responsibility before but are a strong Assistant General Manager ready for your first General Manager position, training and support will be provided.
We're Looking for Someone Who:
- Has at least two years' experience as a General Manager in a quality-led bar, restaurant or hospitality business, or is a proven Assistant General Manager ready for the next step
- Is a natural leader who inspires confidence, develops people and builds strong teams
- Has a genuine passion for independent hospitality
- Understands the commercial side of running a successful venue
- Leads by example and isn't afraid to get stuck in
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment
- Takes ownership and accountability for results
We're looking for somebody who is equally comfortable shaking cocktails on a busy Saturday night, coaching a supervisor through their first management responsibilities, and understanding the numbers behind a successful hospitality business.
A Note From the Owners
We're incredibly proud of what The Ticket Office has become and the reputation it has built within Ilkley. We're now looking for the right person to help take it to the next level.
We're not searching for a caretaker. We're looking for a leader. Someone who will treat the business as their own, build great relationships with the team and our guests, and help continue making The Ticket Office one of the town's favourite venues.
If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and tell us why you'd be a great fit for The Ticket Office Bar.
Pay: £45,000.00-£56,200.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- Do you live in a 30 min radius of Ilkley?
Experience:
- General manager: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
