General Manager Location: Knebworth, Hertfordshire Company: RA Venues (Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland) About RA Venues: At RA Venues, we create unforgettable experiences at some of the UK’s most iconic cultural and heritage destinations. We are known for offering great food and legendary service across our portfolio of high-profile venues. We are now seeking an experienced and talented General Manager to join our team at Knebworth House & Barns, a prestigious venue in the heart of Hertfordshire. This is a unique opportunity to manage a historic location while delivering exceptional hospitality across a range of events. About Knebworth House & Barns: Knebworth House & Barns is a grand 500-year-old estate, set within 250 acres of stunning parkland. It’s an ideal venue for everything from team-building days and corporate training to conferences and exhibitions. The venue’s lavish and historic surroundings also provide a breathtaking setting for weddings, social occasions, and gala dinners. But Knebworth is more than just a beautiful venue. It’s also known as ‘The Stately Home of Rock’. The venue has hosted iconic performances by legendary artists including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Oasis, Robbie Williams, and over 100 other major acts since 1974. In addition to its music heritage, Knebworth House has appeared in major films and series such as Batman, The Crown, and The King’s Speech, making it a true cultural landmark. The Role: As the General Manager of Knebworth House & Barns, you will oversee the operation of this prestigious venue, ensuring the highest standards of hospitality across both Public Catering and Conference & Events. You will manage, train, and motivate a team to deliver exceptional service, while also maximising commercial opportunities. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage a highly motivated, trained team to achieve budget targets and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Act as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring their expectations are exceeded and relationships are nurtured. Drive sales opportunities across all events, ensuring every opportunity is taken to up-sell based on event profiles. Manage labour scheduling, forecasting, and actual labour costs, ensuring optimal staffing levels are planned up to three months in advance. Ensure all costs are controlled effectively, bringing in new ideas to improve efficiency and keep pace with industry trends. Take overall responsibility for forecasting, budgeting, and the financial performance of the venue, ensuring delivery against set targets. Work closely with clients to support the venue growth strategy and ensure objectives are met in partnership. Ensure the venue operates in line with Compass Group UK & Ireland’s standards, maintaining efficient contract management. Lead by example, demonstrating operational excellence, financial control, health and safety, and outstanding customer service. Inspire your team to consistently deliver 5-star service to every guest, across all events and revenue streams. Treat the venue as your own business, using your entrepreneurial mindset to ensure it thrives and achieves long-term success. Key Skills & Experience: A background in high-quality conference and event catering, ideally with at least 2 years of experience in a senior managerial role. Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage a high-performing team. Strong financial acumen, including experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cost control. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships. In-depth knowledge of hospitality operations, including public catering and events management. A passion for hospitality, with a focus on providing exceptional service and creating memorable guest experiences. Problem-solving abilities and the ability to manage complex situations effectively. About You: The ideal candidate will be a customer-focused, financially astute General Manager with a proven track record of success in managing high-profile venues and events. You’ll possess excellent leadership skills, a strong understanding of the hospitality industry, and the ability to drive business growth. With a passion for food and customer service, you will take pride in delivering world-class experiences at one of the UK's most iconic locations. If you are ready to take the next step in your career and lead a dynamic team at Knebworth House & Barns, we would love to hear from you. Join us and make your mark in this iconic venue, offering guests an exceptional experience steeped in history and culture.