Restaurant Manager

Hastings Hotels is a family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland.

We value our people. It's our people who provide the excellent experience we offer to all our guests. When we work together we can do amazing things.

Are you a motivated, proactive person who cares deeply about creating exceptional experiences for your guests? Do you take personal pride in delivering five-star, luxury service? If so, we would welcome you to apply for the position of Restaurant Manager at Vespers .

As one of the areas finest restaurants, Vespers is located in the luxurious setting of the five-star Culloden Estate & Spa . Winner of Good Food Ireland’s Food Lover’s Choice Award 2024 and two Rosettes for Culinary Excellence from The AA in 2025, Vespers offers a gastronomic journey through Northern Ireland’s finest produce.

Under the inspiring leadership of our General Manager, Cormac Fadden, you will lead and motivate your team to achieve success and deliver a fabulous experience to our guests. The successful candidate will have worked in a leadership position in a high-quality hospitality environment, and have a genuine passion for their craft. You will support your team to create memorable dining experiences from breakfast, to afternoon tea, to dinner, and foster a culture of teamwork and professionalism.

You can expect to work 45 hours per week (excluding breaks), five days out of seven. As a Head of Department within the Hotel, you should have a flexible approach to working hours which will include days, evenings, and weekends as required.

In addition to a competitive salary, Hastings Hotels offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, employee discounts, cash and credit cards tips, 29 days holiday plus your birthday, and opportunities for career progression and development. We want to help you to develop your skills and offer an extensive range of learning and development opportunities. For further details about our employee benefits, click here .

Hastings Hotels is an equal opportunities employer.

We reserve the right to apply enhanced shortlisting criteria.

About The Role

To manage the outlet for the greatest enjoyment of our guests, and maximum profit contribution to the Culloden Estate & Spa.

• To manage and motivate employees through effective communication, training, and development, in accordance with company policies and relevant employment legislation, ensuring HR procedures are followed.

• To promote and contribute to a harmonious working environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity.

• To support the General Manager with the department budget and forecasting, putting in place appropriate mechanisms to effectively manage costs and support the financial performance of the Restaurant.

• To ensure Hastings Hotels quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented, and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is used to ensure continual improvement for the team.

• To ensure company policies relating to stock management and stock ordering are implemented and monitored, taking appropriate action to resolve problems.

• To ensure all employees receive appropriate training, coaching and development, and provide effective and efficient service in line with Hastings Hotels standards.

• To ensure the team are knowledgeable about the facilities and services within the Estate and are proactive in the sale of these to guests.

• To ensure you and the team assist guests with any reasonable request for services and are proactive in the promotion of these to guests.

• To ensure you and the team respond appropriately to feedback and complaints and find suitable solutions in line with Company policy.

• To maintain effective communication and relationships with other hotel departments, suppliers and agencies, to maintain an effective operation and ensure guest satisfaction. 

• To ensure the restaurant areas, fixtures, and equipment are properly maintained and presented to Hastings Hotels standards. 

• To ensure that the security of storage areas and stock is maintained at all times. 

• To ensure a safe environment is maintained in compliance with health, safety, fire, hygiene, and security legislation and company policies and procedures. 

• To continuously develop your knowledge relating to the industry sector and competitor activity, provide input into future plans and activities, and maintain and enhance market position. 

• To assist with the recruitment, selection and utilisation of employees to achieve the optimum use of resource in line with business peaks and troughs.

• To contribute to the wider running of the Culloden Estate & Spa, attending daily and weekly meetings, and working as part of a team of Department Heads to contribute to the Estate’s overall success. 

• To ensure the hotel's compliance with all matters relating to licensing laws, Customs and Excise Regulations and all other relevant legislation.

• To carry out the role of Duty Manager for the Hotel as required.

• Any other duties required by the Senior Management Team which are commensurate to the level of the role or which present an opportunity for development.

Required Criteria

• Right to Work in the United Kingdom
• Educated to Level 2 (GCSE Grades A-C) or the equivalent in English and Mathematics
• A passionate hospitality professional
• A minimum of 1 years' experience at a similar, senior level
• Ability to deliver an exceptional standard of customer service
• Ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve success
• Experience managing staffing levels, rotas, wage costs, and departmental budgets

Desired Criteria

• Previous experience within a 5-star hotel environment.
• Educated to Level 6 (Undergraduate Degree) or the equivalent in a relevant field such as Tourism and Hospitality Management.
• Experience in a Michelin Guide, AA Rosette, or equivalent quality-led operation.
• WSET qualification or extensive wine knowledge.

Skills Needed

Team Management, Food Service Skills, Exceptional Customer Service Skills, Reservation skills, Attention to detail

About The Company

Hastings Hotels owns and operates six hotels in Northern Ireland, with over 1,000 bedrooms, a stand-alone gastro-pub, and a luxury spa. From city centre buzz to seaside resort, each outlet has a distinctive personality and market positioning.

For over 50 years this family owned business has successfully established its identity in the market because we place quality and service at the heart of everything we do. Quality in the design of our properties and their upkeep. Quality in the local sourcing of the food and drink we offer our guests... and quality in our people, people with personality, attention to detail, and a desire to develop their careers with us.

Company Culture

Our guests remember the small details.

The open fire in the lounge. The supremely comfy beds. The fabulous breakfast... and the interactions they had with our people. It is more important that you have the correct behaviours and attitude than every last qualification... we can help you attain that.

We place great attention on recruitment, induction, and integrating you into your department, your hotel, and the Group. We want you to think about how you want to develop your career with us, and we promise to do what we can to help you on that journey...

Company Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, cash and credit card tips, employee discounts, 29 days holiday plus your birthday, and opportunities for career progression and development.

Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Competitive salary, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased , Discount on spa treatments or products, Free meals during shifts, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Employee Recognition Scheme, On the job learning, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Long service awards, Staff celebration events, Company employee App

Salary

Up to £34,250.00 per year