General Manager

Company Description

Soul Mama Music Venue & Restaurant is a cultural hospitality brand that combines great food, powerful live music, and genuine community in one welcoming space. Founded by Yolan Da Brown OBE DL and Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, the venue offers an eclectic program spanning jazz, soul, reggae, comedy, conversations, brunches, and special events. Its menu is inspired by the flavors of Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, complemented by cocktails and a strong focus on warm, attentive hospitality.

The first venue launched at the Hilton Gantry Hotel in Stratford, East London, with new locations at Angel Central and Westfield Stratford opening soon. Soul Mama is growing into a multi-venue brand, designed as a home for artists, audiences, and communities to connect in an uplifting and inclusive environment.

The General Manager will oversee day-to-day operations of the Soul Mama Music Venue & Restaurant, ensuring a seamless guest experience across both the restaurant and live music offerings. This full-time, on-site role is based in the London Area, United Kingdom, and involves leading and motivating front-of-house and back-of-house teams, coordinating with the kitchen, bar, and events teams, and maintaining high standards of service, cleanliness, and safety.

The General Manager will manage staffing schedules, recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture. They will monitor financial performance, including budgets, revenue, and cost control, and work with leadership on sales strategies, marketing initiatives, and event programming to drive footfall and repeat business. The role also includes building strong relationships with artists, partners, hotel and landlord stakeholders, and the local community, ensuring Soul Mama reflects and supports the artistic and cultural life of the area.

• Experience in hospitality or venue management, ideally overseeing both restaurant and live music or events operations, with a track record of delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including team coaching, performance management, scheduling, and fostering an inclusive, respectful work environment.
• Operational and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, stock control, cost management, and understanding of P&L in a multi-revenue-stream venue.
• Knowledge of food and beverage service standards, health and safety regulations, licensing requirements, and best practices in customer service within the UK hospitality sector.
• Experience in event coordination or programming, working with artists, promoters, or cultural partners to deliver live music and other cultural events.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with guests, staff, artists, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with calm under pressure and