General Manager - The King's Arms, Shaftesbury
Salary: *OTE up to £55,000 (TRONC + Bonus) per annum
Round the corner from Gold Hill, The King's Arms is a 17th-century building with a big open fireplace and a Skittle Alley that doubles as a spot for our famous Chickpea Chats series. Nole pizza and negronis are the order of the day, alongside seasonal menus built on local sourcing. It's the perfect pit stop for Shaftesbury, and we're looking for people who want to be part of that.
We're looking for a General Manager who'll make sure every guest feels welcome, whether they're here for one drink or the whole evening. This is a hands-on role. You'll lead from the front, build a team that genuinely enjoys working together, and set the standard every day. We're after someone who takes pride in running a proper pub. Someone who notices the little things, backs their team, and understands that great hospitality is about making people feel looked after without making a fuss about it.
About Chickpea
We're founder-owned and seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, but the idea hasn't changed much since day one. Great pubs are built by great people.
Our places are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From the kitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people who genuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them.
We want every guest to feel as though they've been welcomed into someone's home. That means getting the small things right, paying attention to the detail, and looking after people properly.
It's a simple idea, but it's the thread that runs through everything we do.
Why Chickpea?
You're running your pub, but you're also helping build Chickpea. Our General Managers work together, share ideas and back one another because we're stronger as a group than we ever could be on our own.
Twice a year, we take all our General Managers away together. Good food, a few drinks, honest conversations and time away from service. We celebrate what's gone well, learn from one another and come back with fresh ideas.
We want our GMs to motivate their teams, support each other and help shape the future of Chickpea together.
That's also why every GM receives a £300 monthly voucher to spend across our pubs. We want you to get out, eat, stay the night and experience what the rest of the group is doing
Flexible working patterns that suit you and your life.
Every penny of service charge goes directly to the whole team; chefs and housekeepers included, with full transparency through your own Grateful account.
You eat from the menu if you work six hours. And away from work, enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests.
We close on Christmas Day.
Every year we host the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash, to celebrate our teams.
Your birthday comes with a £100 voucher to spend at any of our places and each month there are rewards and giveaways — including the chance to win a night away at one of our pubs.
We mark length of service.
There are team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad.
If you want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. WSET wine courses, front of house or kitchen apprenticeships, the opportunities are there if you want them.
We’re committed to your development.
We also know that life isn't always straightforward. There's 24/7 support available for your mental, physical and financial health. Theres someone to talk to, any time.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Taking full ownership of the pub, with complete accountability for performance, standards, and guest experience.
- Leading from the front to deliver an exceptional, consistent guest journey that builds loyalty and drives repeat trade.
- Recruiting, developing, and retaining a high-performing team.
- Setting and driving standards across all areas.
- Holding full P&L responsibility, actively managing sales, labour, costs, and margins to deliver strong financial performance.
- Using data, insight, and local knowledge to drive revenue, maximise opportunities, and grow the business.
- Overseeing all operational controls including stock, cash management, and compliance, ensuring the business is robust and audit-ready.
- Building strong community presence through events, partnerships, and local engagement.
- Leading, coaching, and inspiring your team to exceed expectations, developing future leaders within the business.
- Continuously reviewing performance, identifying opportunities, and implementing improvements to drive the pub forward.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a General Manager (or a high-performing Deputy ready to step up) within a high-volume, quality-led pub, bar, or restaurant.
- A commercially astute operator with a strong track record of delivering sales growth, controlling costs, and driving profitability.
- A confident leader who can build and inspire a team.
- A natural host with a passion for delivering standout guest experiences.
- Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing budgets, KPIs, and compliance.
- A quick thinker that notices the detail —someone who treats the pub as their own and is always looking for ways to improve and grow.
- Resilient, ambitious, and driven, with the presence and credibility to lead from the front.
