Hotel General ManagerDartmoor Lodge | Ashburton, South Devon
Salary: £55,000–£70,000 (Dependent on Experience)
This Isn't Just Another Hotel Management Role
Dartmoor Lodge is entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history.
Following significant investment, extensive refurbishment and ambitious growth plans, we are looking for an exceptional Hotel General Manager to lead our business into the future.
This is a rare opportunity to take full responsibility for a thriving independent hotel with an established reputation and enormous potential.
We're looking for a leader who is passionate about hospitality, commercially driven and committed to creating exceptional guest experiences. Someone who inspires people, leads by example and is motivated by building an outstanding business rather than simply managing one.
This is not a live-in position.
About Dartmoor Lodge
Situated on the edge of the stunning Dartmoor National Park, Dartmoor Lodge is one of South Devon's most recognised independent hospitality destinations.
Our business includes:
- 30 refurbished guest bedrooms
- Busy restaurant and lounge bar
- Weddings, conferences and private events
- Beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces
- A loyal local following alongside leisure and corporate guests
We're continuing to invest in our facilities, our people and our future. We now need an exceptional General Manager to help deliver our long-term vision.
The Opportunity
As General Manager, you'll have complete operational responsibility for the hotel.
You'll lead every department, develop an exceptional team, drive commercial performance and ensure every guest receives an outstanding experience.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be highly visible throughout the business, supporting your team, engaging with guests and continually driving standards.
You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, implement improvements and help shape the future direction of Dartmoor Lodge.
What You'll Be Responsible For
You'll lead every aspect of the business, including:
- Overall hotel operations
- Guest satisfaction and service excellence
- Accommodation operations
- Restaurant, bar and food & beverage performance
- Weddings, conferences and events
- Recruitment, coaching and development
- Financial performance, budgeting and P&L management
- Revenue growth and profitability
- Labour planning and cost control
- Health & Safety, licensing and statutory compliance
- Sales, marketing support and business development
- Building a positive, accountable and high-performing culture
What Success Looks Like
Working alongside the owners, you'll help deliver:
- Increased occupancy and average daily room rates
- Growth in weddings, conferences and event revenue
- Outstanding guest satisfaction and online review scores
- A highly engaged and motivated team
- Strong commercial performance across every department
- Exceptional operational standards throughout the hotel
- Continued development of Dartmoor Lodge as one of Devon's leading independent hospitality destinations
About You
You'll already be an accomplished hospitality leader with a genuine passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
You'll enjoy being operationally involved, making decisions and leading from the front.
You'll possess:
- Proven experience as a Hotel General Manager or Senior Hotel Operations Manager.
- Full responsibility for hotel P&L and financial performance.
- Experience managing accommodation, food & beverage and events.
- Strong commercial awareness with a track record of improving business performance.
- Outstanding leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
- High standards with exceptional attention to detail.
- The ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions.
- A proactive approach with a continuous improvement mindset.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by six simple principles:
Guests First
Every decision begins with delivering an exceptional guest experience.
Lead by Example
Great leaders earn respect through their actions.
Attention to Detail
The smallest details often create the biggest impressions.
One Team
Success comes from supporting one another.
Always Improving
We constantly challenge ourselves to become better.
Take Ownership
We solve problems, embrace responsibility and make things happen.
Only Apply If You Can Honestly Answer YES
✔ I have successfully managed a hotel with full operational responsibility.
✔ I have managed hotel budgets, forecasting and P&L.
✔ I have experience overseeing accommodation, food & beverage and events.
✔ I enjoy leading from the front and being visible throughout the business.
✔ I have a proven record of improving guest satisfaction, revenue and team performance.
✔ I understand that hospitality is a seven-day business and I'm prepared to provide the leadership required during evenings, weekends and peak trading periods.
✔ I'm looking for a long-term opportunity where I can make a genuine difference.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (£55,000–£70,000 DOE)
- Genuine autonomy to lead the business
- Ongoing investment in the hotel
- Opportunity to shape the future of a growing independent hospitality business
- Long-term career progression for the right individual
Your Application
To help us understand your experience, please include a covering letter answering the following:
- What is the largest hotel you've managed (number of bedrooms and annual turnover)?
- How many team members have you directly managed?
- What measurable improvements have you personally delivered? (Revenue, occupancy, profitability, guest satisfaction, cost savings or operational improvements.)
- What achievement are you most proud of in your hospitality career?
- Why do you believe you're the right person to lead Dartmoor Lodge?
Applications without a tailored covering letter may not be considered.
Join Our Journey
We're not simply looking for someone to manage a hotel.
We're looking for someone to help shape its future.
If you're an ambitious hospitality leader with the experience, passion and determination to build one of Devon's finest independent hotels, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of the next chapter of Dartmoor Lodge.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £55,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
