Minimum £45,000 package, including service charge, plus KPI and long-service bonuses
We are looking for a guest-focused and commercially driven General Manager to lead Sonrisa and build on the restaurant’s continued success.
Sonrisa is part of the award-winning Lasan Group—famously recognised when Lasan won Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word for Best Local Restaurant in the UK.
Sonrisa has also established its own award-winning reputation, being named Best Restaurant in Leicester at the Best Bar None Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
Inspired by the spirit and flavours of Buenos Aires, Sonrisa brings together bold food, vibrant drinks and relaxed, social dining. Our success is built on memorable guest experiences, delivered by talented people who genuinely care about what they do.
The role
As General Manager, you will take ownership of Sonrisa’s day-to-day operation, team development, guest experience and commercial performance.
You will lead from the front, creating a positive and accountable culture in which people understand what is expected of them and feel supported to perform at their best.
Working closely with Sonrisa’s management team and the wider Lasan Group leadership team, you will maintain and continuously develop high operational standards while delivering the restaurant’s commercial objectives.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, motivating and developing the restaurant team;
- Taking ownership of the complete guest experience;
- Recruiting, training and retaining talented people;
- Building a positive, high-performing and accountable culture;
- Maintaining consistently high standards across service, food, drink and the restaurant environment;
- Driving sales and identifying opportunities to grow the business;
- Managing labour, stock and other controllable costs;
- Delivering agreed revenue, profitability and KPI targets;
- Ensuring compliance with food safety, health and safety, licensing and company procedures;
- Working collaboratively with the wider Lasan Group leadership and support teams.
About you
Our ideal General Manager will:
- Be confident, composed and solutions-focused;
- Be conscientious, self-aware and willing to take ownership;
- Have a genuine passion for hospitality and guest experience;
- Lead from the front and inspire others through their example;
- Be an excellent trainer, coach and people manager;
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail and consistently high standards;
- Have the curiosity and aptitude to keep learning and improving;
- Possess excellent people skills and build rapport naturally;
- Demonstrate strong commercial awareness, including revenue generation, labour management and stock control;
- Communicate effectively, with strong spoken and written English;
- Have successful experience as a General Manager, or be an accomplished Restaurant Manager ready to take the next step.
This is a full-time hospitality management position that requires flexibility across the restaurant’s trading schedule, including evenings and weekends.
What we offer
- £45,000 starting package, including service charge;
- A KPI-related bonus scheme;
- A long-service bonus;
- A Team Privilege Card with generous employee benefits;
- £500 annual dining credit;
- Meals at work;
- Ongoing training and professional development;
- Support from an experienced group leadership team;
- Genuine career progression within an ambitious restaurant group;
- The opportunity to lead one of Leicester’s most exciting and recognised restaurants.
If you are an established General Manager—or an experienced Restaurant Manager ready to take the next step in your career—we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Leicester LE1 5DB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- We are looking for a GM to lead from the restaurant floor and not the office, with a desire to work peak service periods. Why is this the ideal opportunity for you?
Experience:
- Restaurant management: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Personal Licence (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (preferred)
Work Location: In person
