Deputy General Manager

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is a luxury, four AA red star guest destination nestled in Newmarket, Suffolk. Surrounded by three acres of beautiful grounds, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa retains the charm and character of a Georgian country house, yet offers the very best in modern comfort, cuisine, hospitality and luxury.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate hospitality professional to take on the role of Deputy General Manager
, working closely alongside, and in the absence of, our Chief Executive.

The role will be influential in the day-to-day running of the Hotel & Spa, ensuring we consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences whilst maintaining and improving our Four Red Star standards. You will play a key role in maximising revenue, improving operational performance and supporting the Heads of Department across all areas of the business.

You will work closely with all our Heads of Department across the Hotel & Spa, in particular Food & Beverage, but also Front Office, Conference & Events, Leisure and Spa, as well as our Back of House teams. You will also take an active role in ensuring effective communication across the business, managing guest feedback and complaints, and maintaining the highest standards of presentation, service and compliance.

The role will also involve people leadership, supporting recruitment, retention, training and development, as well as working closely with HR and the CEO on employee relations and wider people matters. In addition, you will be involved in the annual budgeting process, financial reviews and the management of operational costs, particularly within Food & Beverage as well as overseeing and spearheading the Health & Safety aspects of the business.

You’ll be a confident and experienced hospitality leader with the ability to lead from the front and inspire teams to deliver exceptional standards. You will be an excellent communicator, highly organised and able to build strong relationships with colleagues, guests and key stakeholders across the business.

You will have a proactive mindset, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to remain calm and effective in a busy hotel environment. You will be passionate about delivering an outstanding guest journey and creating a positive working environment for our team, whilst also having a strong commercial awareness and understanding of the financial performance of a hotel.

You will be comfortable taking responsibility for the operation of the Hotel & Spa in the absence of the CEO and stepping into different departmental roles when required to support the wider team.

You will have:

• Previous experience working in a senior management or Deputy General Manager role within the hospitality industry.
• Strong operational knowledge across multiple hotel departments, particularly Food & Beverage and Front of House.
• Proven experience of leading, developing and motivating teams, with a strong understanding of people management.
• A good understanding of Profit & Loss management, budgeting and controlling operational costs.
• Strong commercial awareness, with an understanding of maximising revenue whilst maintaining service and quality standards.
• Excellent communication, organisational and customer service skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and make effective decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong understanding of Health & Safety, compliance and maintaining high operational standards.
• Experience of managing guest feedback and complaints with a professional and solution-focused approach.
• A proactive and hands-on approach, with the flexibility to support all areas of the Hotel & Spa when required.
• A good team player who enjoys working closely with all…