General Manager - The Royal Society of Arts

We are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we’ve been part of some of the UK’s most loved cultural destinations, from historic palaces and botanical gardens to buzzing galleries and performance spaces, running the cafés, restaurants, bars and events that bring these incredible places to life. We’re looking for a General Manager to work with us at RSA House in London.

About RSA House:

RSA House is the historic home of The RSA, a global charity and community dedicated to creativity for the good of all.

The House itself is a unique mix of both world famous historic rooms and modern event spaces. It is a living art gallery, constantly evolving through exhibitions, installations, talks and performances. Alongside our 13 event spaces, RSA House is also home to public facing hospitality and cultural spaces including The Coffee House, Muse our cocktail bar and the RSA Library.

We host a wide range of events, from high profile corporate conferences, brand launches and screenings, to awards dinners, receptions, weddings and private celebrations.

Every event delivered at RSA House directly supports the work of The RSA. Our internal client is The RSA itself, meaning that commercial success and purpose are closely connected. This is a rare opportunity to work in a venue where revenue directly contributes to positive social impact.

Rate of pay: Up to £78,000 per annum + bonus (OTE £91,500)

Working pattern: 40 hours per week, (5 out of 7 days)

Location: London, WC2N 6EZ

About the Role

This is not a typical General Manager role. It is a highly strategic, client-facing position with full responsibility for hospitality and commercial operations within a prestigious cost-plus contract.

We are looking for a confident and commercially astute leader who can turn a client’s vision into operational reality. You will inherit a strong and well-established client relationship and play a key role in driving commercial performance, operational excellence, and exceptional service standards.

The successful candidate will oversee a diverse hospitality operation, including a premium café, bar, and extensive events programme. You will have full responsibility for the sales and marketing strategy, ensuring all offers are innovative, commercially successful, and aligned with both client expectations and business objectives.

This role also has overall accountability for menu development, offer structure, and pricing strategy, ensuring all food and beverage concepts are attractive, competitive, and profitable.

Success in this role will require outstanding stakeholder management, strong financial awareness, and the ability to lead and inspire a diverse team in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all operational aspects of the account, ensuring exceptional service standards across café, bar, hospitality, and events.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the client, building and maintaining a strong and trusted relationship.
• Translate the client’s vision into innovative and effective operational delivery.
• Manage multiple hospitality offers, including a premium café, bar, and a varied programme of corporate and private events.
• Develop and oversee the sales and marketing strategy to drive revenue growth and maximise commercial opportunities.
• Take ownership of all menu offers, structure, and pricing to ensure strong customer appeal and profitability.
• Drive commercial performance, profitability, and achievement of financial targets.
• Lead, inspire, and develop a diverse team of approximately 30 employees.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and food safety standards.
• Maintain a strong focus on customer experience, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience as a General Manager within premium hospitality.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills, with experience managing budgets and delivering financial targets.
• Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing multiple hospitality streams, including café, bar, and events.
• Strong understanding of sales, marketing, and business development.
• Experience in menu planning, offer development, and pricing strategy.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and develop a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strategic mindset with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience within bespoke, corporate, or other high-profile hospitality environments is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership presence and the ability to build a positive team culture.

What's in it for you? 

Working with CH&Co has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.  

• Personal Development and Training opportunities 
• Life assurance scheme 
• Pension scheme 
• Holiday allowance 
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care 
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance 
• Family friendly support 
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders 
• A holiday purchase scheme 
• Volunteering days 
• Professional subscriptions 
• Recognition schemes and people awards 
• Long service awards 
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers