General Manager - The King's Arms, Shaftesbury

Salary: *OTE up to £65,000 (TRONC + Bonus) per annum

Round the corner from Gold Hill, The King's Arms is a 17th-century building with a big open fireplace and a Skittle Alley that doubles as a spot for our famous Chickpea Chats series. Nole pizza and negronis are the order of the day, alongside seasonal menus built on local sourcing. It's the perfect pit stop for Shaftesbury, and we're looking for people who want to be part of that.

We're looking for a General Manager who'll make sure every guest feels welcome, whether they're here for one drink or the whole evening. This is a hands-on role. You'll lead from the front, build a team that genuinely enjoys working together, and set the standard every day. We're after someone who takes pride in running a proper pub. Someone who notices the little things, backs their team, and understands that great hospitality is about making people feel looked after without making a fuss about it.

About Chickpea

We're founder-owned and seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, but the idea hasn't changed much since day one. Great pubs are built by great people. 

Our places are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From the kitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people who genuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them. 

We want every guest to feel as though they've been welcomed into someone's home. That means getting the small things right, paying attention to the detail, and looking after people properly. 

It's a simple idea, but it's the thread that runs through everything we do.

Why Chickpea? 

A respectful kitchen is non-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that starts with how teams treat each other. 

There are no split shifts. Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to help you get there. 

We offer flexible working patterns that fit around your life, not the other way round. 

Every penny of service charge is shared across the whole team — chefs, front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency through your own Grateful account. 

If you work a six-hour shift, you eat from the menu. Away from work, you'll enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests. 

We close on Christmas Day. 

Each year, we bring everyone together for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people who make the business what it is. 

On your birthday, you'll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of our pubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chance to win a night away at one of our places. We recognise long service too. 

Throughout the year, we organise team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad. 

If you're ambitious and want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. Whether that's WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development or broadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there for those who want them. 

We're committed to helping people build long and rewarding careers in hospitality. 

And because life isn't always straightforward, you'll also have access to confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there. 

What You’ll Be Doing

·       Taking full ownership of the pub, with complete accountability for performance, standards, and guest experience.

·       Leading from the front to deliver an exceptional, consistent guest journey that builds loyalty and drives repeat trade.

·       Recruiting, developing, and retaining a high-performing team.

·       Setting and driving standards across all areas.

·       Holding full P&L responsibility, actively managing sales, labour, costs, and margins to deliver strong financial performance.

·       Using data, insight, and local knowledge to drive revenue, maximise opportunities, and grow the business.

·       Overseeing all operational controls including stock, cash management, and compliance, ensuring the business is robust and audit-ready.

·       Building strong community presence through events, partnerships, and local engagement.

·       Leading, coaching, and inspiring your team to exceed expectations, developing future leaders within the business.

·       Continuously reviewing performance, identifying opportunities, and implementing improvements to drive the pub forward.

What We’re Looking For

·       Proven experience as a General Manager (or a high-performing Deputy ready to step up) within a high-volume, quality-led pub, bar, or restaurant.

·       A commercially astute operator with a strong track record of delivering sales growth, controlling costs, and driving profitability.

·       A confident leader who can build and inspire a team.

·       A natural host with a passion for delivering standout guest experiences.

·       Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing budgets, KPIs, and compliance.

·       A quick thinker that notices the detail —someone who treats the pub as their own and is always looking for ways to improve and grow.

·       Resilient, ambitious, and driven, with the presence and credibility to lead from the front.

General Manager - The King's Arms, Shaftesbury

Salary: *OTE up to £65,000 (TRONC + Bonus) per annum

Round the corner from Gold Hill, The King's Arms is a 17th-century building with a big open fireplace and a Skittle Alley that doubles as a spot for our famous Chickpea Chats series. Nole pizza and negronis are the order of the day, alongside seasonal menus built on local sourcing. It's the perfect pit stop for Shaftesbury, and we're looking for people who want to be part of that.

We're looking for a General Manager who'll make sure every guest feels welcome, whether they're here for one drink or the whole evening. This is a hands-on role. You'll lead from the front, build a team that genuinely enjoys working together, and set the standard every day. We're after someone who takes pride in running a proper pub. Someone who notices the little things, backs their team, and understands that great hospitality is about making people feel looked after without making a fuss about it.

About Chickpea

We're founder-owned and seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, but the idea hasn't changed much since day one. Great pubs are built by great people. 

Our places are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From the kitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people who genuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them. 

We want every guest to feel as though they've been welcomed into someone's home. That means getting the small things right, paying attention to the detail, and looking after people properly. 

It's a simple idea, but it's the thread that runs through everything we do.

Why Chickpea? 

A respectful kitchen is non-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that starts with how teams treat each other. 

There are no split shifts. Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to help you get there. 

We offer flexible working patterns that fit around your life, not the other way round. 

Every penny of service charge is shared across the whole team — chefs, front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency through your own Grateful account. 

If you work a six-hour shift, you eat from the menu. Away from work, you'll enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests. 

We close on Christmas Day. 

Each year, we bring everyone together for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people who make the business what it is. 

On your birthday, you'll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of our pubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chance to win a night away at one of our places. We recognise long service too. 

Throughout the year, we organise team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad. 

If you're ambitious and want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. Whether that's WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development or broadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there for those who want them. 

We're committed to helping people build long and rewarding careers in hospitality. 

And because life isn't always straightforward, you'll also have access to confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there. 

What You’ll Be Doing

·       Taking full ownership of the pub, with complete accountability for performance, standards, and guest experience.

·       Leading from the front to deliver an exceptional, consistent guest journey that builds loyalty and drives repeat trade.

·       Recruiting, developing, and retaining a high-performing team.

·       Setting and driving standards across all areas.

·       Holding full P&L responsibility, actively managing sales, labour, costs, and margins to deliver strong financial performance.

·       Using data, insight, and local knowledge to drive revenue, maximise opportunities, and grow the business.

·       Overseeing all operational controls including stock, cash management, and compliance, ensuring the business is robust and audit-ready.

·       Building strong community presence through events, partnerships, and local engagement.

·       Leading, coaching, and inspiring your team to exceed expectations, developing future leaders within the business.

·       Continuously reviewing performance, identifying opportunities, and implementing improvements to drive the pub forward.

What We’re Looking For

·       Proven experience as a General Manager (or a high-performing Deputy ready to step up) within a high-volume, quality-led pub, bar, or restaurant.

·       A commercially astute operator with a strong track record of delivering sales growth, controlling costs, and driving profitability.

·       A confident leader who can build and inspire a team.

·       A natural host with a passion for delivering standout guest experiences.

·       Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing budgets, KPIs, and compliance.

·       A quick thinker that notices the detail —someone who treats the pub as their own and is always looking for ways to improve and grow.

·       Resilient, ambitious, and driven, with the presence and credibility to lead from the front.