Job Description

General Manager - Zen, Durham

Who We Are

At

Zen Group

, we're redefining dining in Durham City -- offering everything from gourmet burgers and handmade sandwiches to bold and vibrant Asian fusion cuisine across our much-loved venues. As a locally owned, fast-growing hospitality group, now is the perfect time to join us on our exciting journey.

We are the team behind four of Durham's most iconic venues:

Zen, Tango, The Rabbit Hole, and Whitechurch

- each with a unique personality, united by a shared commitment to

exceptional food, service, and guest experience

.

Our flagship venue,

Zen

, is where it all began. A vibrant, high-energy restaurant serving up to

2,500 covers per week

, Zen offers a fast-paced and stylish setting with a focus on

modern Asian fusion cuisine

and outstanding guest experiences.

What We Need

We are looking for a

visionary, hands-on, and commercially minded General Manager

to take the lead at Zen. This is a rare opportunity to oversee one of Durham's busiest and most beloved restaurants -- a venue that sets the tone for the entire Zen Group.

You will be responsible for the full

operational and team performance

of the restaurant. You will drive standards, develop talent, manage high-volume service, and consistently deliver memorable guest experiences -- all while supporting the Group's continued evolution and growth.

What You'll Do

Lead the daily operations of a high-volume, full-service restaurant Manage and develop a large, diverse team across FOH and BOH Maintain service excellence during busy trading periods Take full ownership of

P&L, budgeting, stock, and cost control

Drive sales, maximise profitability, and achieve KPIs Uphold and evolve Zen's guest experience standards Recruit, train, and retain top talent in line with Zen Group values Collaborate with senior leadership on brand development and innovation Ensure full compliance with health & safety, licensing, and food hygiene regulations Act as a cultural leader, motivating and inspiring your team to deliver their best

Who You Are

You are a proven hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. You bring commercial focus, people skills, and a passion for hospitality -- and you are ready to lead one of the most dynamic restaurants in the North East.

You'll Bring:

3+ years of senior management experience in hospitality (General Manager or equivalent) Experience in high-volume, full-service restaurant environments Strong

commercial acumen

with the ability to read and react to business performance Proven success in

people leadership, training, and culture-building

An eye for detail, a drive for excellence, and a calm approach under pressure A natural ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on floor presence Experience or enthusiasm for

Asian fusion cuisine

A full UK driving licence (preferred)

Why Zen Group?

We believe in building strong, diverse teams and providing real opportunities for growth. With more exciting projects on the horizon, now is the time to join and grow with us.

In Return, You'll Get:

Competitive base salary TRONC/service charge + performance bonuses Subsidised meals during shifts Staff discounts across all Zen Group venues
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 35,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Discounted or free food On-site parking Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person