General Manager
The Fighting Cocks Pub – Country Inns
Salary: £40,000+ (plus bonus & Tips, OTE £50,000)
Country Inns is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead The Fighting Cocks, one of our flagship pubs, operating at £2 million+ annual turnover.
We are an established, family-run pub group based in The New Forest, with 7 pubs across the New Forest. You will be able to take real pride in the role, knowing that Country Inns has built a reputation for offering some of the best food, drinks and service in The New Forest — a reputation developed and strengthened over the last 17 years.
Work somewhere where you can achieve clear goals and real success, supported by an experienced and hands-on management team. We are looking for someone who can bring stability as well as fresh ideas, new skills and strong leadership to help drive both your team and the business forward.
This is a senior leadership role suited to a proven operator who thrives in high-volume, premium pub environments and has a strong track record of delivering commercial success alongside outstanding guest experiences.
The Role
As General Manager, you will have full responsibility for the performance of the business, including:
- Complete operational and financial control of a £2m+ per annum venue
- Driving sales, profitability and margin performance
- Recruiting, leading, developing and retaining a high-performing management and front-of-house team
- Maintaining excellent standards of food, drink, service and presentation
- Leading local marketing initiatives and building strong community engagement
- Ensuring full compliance with health, safety and licensing regulations
About You
Relevant experience is essential. This role requires someone who can confidently manage scale and complexity.
You will have:
- Proven experience as a General Manager (or equivalent senior role) within a high-turnover pub, restaurant or hospitality business
- Demonstrable experience managing £2m+ annual turnover
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to manage P&Ls and control costs
- A hands-on, motivational leadership style
- A genuine passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional customer experiences
What We Offer
- Salary of £40,000, plus a performance-related bonus and tips, OTE £50,000+
- The opportunity to run a high-profile, established pub within a respected family-run group
- Ongoing support from an experienced operations and management team
- Real autonomy and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the business
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Fordingbridge SP6 2LL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- General Manager: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
