General Manager – Charlotte Arms (New Opening) - Edinburgh
£40-£42k (DOE) + bonus
Opening soon in the heart of Edinburgh, Charlotte Arms is set to become a neighbourhood pub with a reputation for exceptional hospitality, quality drinks and an atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Combining a carefully curated drinks offering, live music and warm, genuine service, we're creating a venue where every visit feels memorable and worth returning for. Owned by the team that brought Glasgow back to life with venues such as Wunderbar and Kitty O'Shea's, home to some of the city's best live music, are now excited to bring that same energy to Edinburgh.
We're looking for an experienced General Manager to help bring this exciting new venue to life. This is a rare opportunity to be part of the journey from day one, playing a key role in the pre-opening process before taking ownership of the venue and leading it through a successful launch and beyond.
About the Role
As General Manager, you'll work closely with the ownership and operations team to oversee every stage of the pre-opening programme, from recruitment and training to operational planning, systems implementation and compliance. Once open, you'll take responsibility for the daily operation of the business, leading a high performing team while delivering exceptional guest experiences and driving the venue's commercial success.
What the role involves
- Leading the pre-opening programme, ensuring every aspect of the venue is ready for a successful launch.
- Recruiting, developing and inspiring a high-performing management team and wider venue team.
- Creating a positive, engaging and accountable team culture built around genuine hospitality.
- Leading from the floor through visible, hands on management during service.
- Delivering consistently outstanding guest experiences that encourage repeat visits.
- Driving commercial performance through effective leadership, operational excellence and sound decision making.
- Managing labour costs, rota planning and wage budgets in line with business objectives and targets.
- Overseeing stock control and inventory management.
- Maintaining exceptional standards across the drinks offering, ensuring every pint, cocktail and serve is delivered with consistency and care.
- Analysing sales performance to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
- Planning for seasonal trading, major city events and peak trading periods to maximise business performance.
- Supporting the delivery of live music, events and promotional activity that enhances the venue's reputation.
- Championing exceptional customer service while proactively managing guest feedback.
- Maintain compliance with licencing and health & safety laws
What we are looking for
- Previous experience as a General Manager or Senior Manager within a quality pub, premium bar or high volume hospitality venue.
- Experience opening a new venue or supporting a significant refurbishment would be advantageous.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop high performing teams.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing labour costs, stock control, GP performance and budgets.
- Excellent operational knowledge with the ability to manage a busy, multi-floor venue.
- A genuine passion for quality drinks, hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
- Strong organisational, communication and problem solving skills.
- Confidence making decisions in a fast paced environment while remaining calm under pressure.
- Experience managing live entertainment.
- Experience in a high end pub or bar setting would be beneficial.
- Up to date knowledge of licensing legislation, health & safety and compliance requirements.
- A Personal Licence (preferred).
- A flexible approach to work and the ability to adapt to accommodate business needs
What We Offer
- Competitive salary plus Tronc
- Performance based bonus
- Staff discount
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Ongoing training and professional development
- The opportunity to lead the opening of an exciting new venue
- The chance to build your own team and shape the culture of the business from day one
Sound Good?
If you're an experienced hospitality leader who enjoys leading from the floor and would like to be involved with an exciting new launch, we'd love to hear from you.
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Pay: £40,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Experience:
- Bar management: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
