General Manager

The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, is one of the UK’s oldest charities. Founded in 1147, it has always been cared for by the Queens of England. It offers a retreat experience in the heart of East London, and provides meetings and events space for over 1500 meetings a year, mainly for charities and non-profits. It also runs community work based around London’s only Yurt café, dealing with issues around poverty, loneliness, community cohesion and promoting the arts and creativity.

With 45 bedrooms and 12 meeting rooms of different sizes based around a beautiful inner garden, it offers a unique and valued space in East London.

The Foundation has a strong Christian ethos, employing a chaplain and headed up by  the Master, who is  a Church of England Priest. There is a beautiful chapel on site which is an active place of Christian worship at the heart of the Foundation.

Position Overview
The Royal Foundation of St Katharine is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead its commercial and operational activities. This role is pivotal in driving the financial performance and service excellence of the Foundation, ensuring that its commercial success generates the income to support the organisation’s charitable objectives.

The General Manager will oversee c60 staff and take the lead on: generating c£3m revenue annually; business development; profitability; guest satisfaction; and operational excellence. The successful candidate will be a energising, results-driven leader with a  track record of delivering exceptional service while also championing the Foundation’s Christian ethos and values.

This post reports directly to the Master of the Royal Foundation and also makes formal reports to the Court of the Royal Foundation (the board of trustees) every quarter and to various sub committees as required.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Generation and Business Development

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize revenue streams, including conferencing, events, accommodation, and hospitality services.
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities, partnerships, and innovative solutions to maximize income.
• Monitor and analyse market trends to ensure the Foundation remains competitive and relevant.

Operational Excellence and Service Delivery

• Ensure the seamless delivery of high-quality services across all touchpoints, including guest accommodations, events, and dining experiences.
• Ensure optimal operational efficiency by streamlining processes and utilizing resources effectively.
• Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences, aligning with the Foundation’s values
• Ensure risk assessments and health and safety standards are maintained

Financial Management and Profitability

• Develop and manage budgets, ensuring financial targets are met while maintaining cost control.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate financial and operational success.
• Implement strategies to improve profitability and resource allocation.

Guest Satisfaction and Community Engagement

• Foster a culture of hospitality and service excellence to enhance guest satisfaction.
• Actively seek and respond to guest feedback to improve experiences.
• Strengthen the Foundation’s reputation within the local community and among stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Proven track record of success in marketing, revenue generation, business development, and commercial management.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire, build trust and motivate teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Financial acumen with experience of managing budgets and driving profitability.
• Commitment to delivering high standards of service and guest satisfaction
• High technical competency with key hospitality, finance and marketing systems
• Willingness to lead by example in being able to be hands on in supporting operational departments.

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant experience in hospitality, events, or a related sector
• Strong understanding of commercial operations and their alignment with broader organisational goals.
• Sensitivity to understand the not-for-profit sector and be able to balance commercial success with charitable objectives
• Strong values aligned to the organisation’s Christian ethos and able to support its Retreat Offerings and Community work.

Why Join The Royal Foundation of St Katharine?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in a historic and purpose-driven organisation. As General Manager, you will have the chance to make a tangible impact, ensuring that the Foundation’s commercial success fuels its charitable mission, helping to enrich the lives of the communities it serves.

If you are a values driven, results-oriented leader with a track record in hospitality and a commitment to making a difference, we invite you to apply.

To Apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and vision for this role.

Closing Date 10th February

Visit RFSK and meeting the Managers (17th February)

Interviews 18th February