Job Description

Maternity Cover - Cafe Manager (St. James Site)

Join London's Fastest-Growing Wellness Cafe Brand

Healthy Ambitions Ltd is building a multi-brand portfolio targeting the 4.7 trillion global wellness market. We operate two distinct brands:

Heliix

(premium wellness & longevity) and

Rejoove

(value-conscious fitness).

We currently run three wellness lounges in partnership with the luxury US gym chain

Equinox

: Kensington, Bishopsgate and

St. James

. The St. James Heliix cafe is located inside

Equinox St. James, 12 St. James's Street, London SW1A 1ER

.

We also operate a new smoothie bar concept with Fitness First.
Our mission: Serve the world's best food & beverage offering for fitness and wellness enthusiasts.

With ambitious expansion plans across the UK & Europe, we are scaling fast. We don't compromise on quality, we hire exceptional talent, we move quickly, and we build relationships based on trust, responsiveness and reliability.

The Opportunity - Maternity Cover (Fixed-Term Contract)

Heliix is London's premier fitness and longevity cafe, proudly partnered with Equinox, one of the world's most prestigious fitness and lifestyle clubs. We specialise in nutritionally rich, premium food and drink designed to fuel performance, recovery and long-term wellbeing.

We are seeking an experienced, energetic and wellness-driven

Cafe Manager (Maternity Cover)

to lead our in-club cafe team at our

St. James site

. You will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional service, strong operational standards, and a wellness-focused member experience during this fixed-term contract.

This role suits an entrepreneurial operator who thrives in a fast-moving environment with minimal red tape and a proactive, "make it happen" attitude.

What We Offer

Salary:

30,000-35,000

Contract:

Fixed-term maternity cover (length confirmed at offer stage)

Complimentary meals during shifts Full access to Equinox Gyms Private GP & counselling services Private medical insurance Cycle-to-work scheme (including E-bikes) Expert training programme, including nutrition fundamentals 28 days annual leave (pro-rated) Flexible pension plan High-energy, wellness-focused working environment Opportunities to represent Heliix at wellness events & activations

About the Role (Maternity Cover - St. James Site)

As Cafe Manager, you are the driving force of the Heliix St. James cafe: overseeing day-to-day operations, leading and developing the team, ensuring exceptional service standards, and championing our wellness-focused mission. This is an active, site-based leadership role - you'll be on the floor, not behind a desk.

You will be responsible for operational and financial performance, maintaining exceptional food and beverage quality, supporting nutrition-led initiatives, and ensuring the smooth running of the cafe inside Equinox St. James.

You will report directly to the Operations Manager and act as a brand ambassador for Heliix.

Key ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership & Culture

Lead and inspire Cafe Assistants and Supervisors Train the team on nutrition basics, allergens and wellness service Build efficient rotas for peak periods Conduct 1-to-1s, probation reviews and development conversations Foster a positive, motivated, health-focused team culture

Financial & Commercial Management

Manage cafe P&L, wage control and budgets Analyse daily/weekly/monthly performance Implement upsell strategies for premium wellness products Deliver monthly P&L reports to Head Office

Operational Excellence

Oversee daily cafe operations including smoothies, meals and specialty coffee Maintain food safety, hygiene and H&S compliance Ensure strict allergen procedures and nutritional accuracy Oversee equipment maintenance and cafe cleanliness Complete weekly operational KPIs (Food Alert) Manage stock, ordering and waste control Lead deep cleans every six weeks

Customer Experience & Wellness Advocacy

Provide a premium, educational wellness experience Offer basic nutritional and product guidance Resolve member concerns within 24 hours Build strong relationships with Equinox members Promote seasonal menus and functional ingredients

Brand Representation & Community Engagement

Act as a Heliix brand ambassador Support content creation for social media Champion sustainability and waste reduction initiatives

Essential Requirements

We are looking for someone with

2+ years of management experience

in premium hospitality (high-end coffee shops, wellness cafes, boutique restaurants, luxury hotels, Soho House-level service). You must be genuinely passionate about fitness and wellness.

Required:

2-3+ years premium hospitality experience 2+ years management with P&L accountability Strong passion for wellness and healthy living Level 2 Food Safety (minimum) Excellent leadership and communication skills Proficiency with POS and stock systems Ability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends Entrepreneurial, proactive, solutions-focused mindset Calm under pressure and highly detail-oriented

Work Schedule

This is a hands-on maternity cover role with variable hours, including early starts, evenings and weekends. You will be on the cafe floor leading your team at the St. James site.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're ready to lead London's most wellness-focused cafe inside

Equinox St. James

, and contribute to a high-growth, mission-led business during this maternity cover period, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a brief cover note (max 250 words) explaining:

Why wellness matters to you and how it shows in your lifestyle Your most significant hospitality management achievement Why you're excited to join a fast-scaling, entrepreneurial brand
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 30,000.00-35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Gym membership On-site gym Private medical insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:

London, SW1A 1ER: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Hospitality: 3 years (preferred) Hospitality management: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person