General Manager - Riverside East

Role Title : General Manager – Riverside East

Location : Riverside East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford

Job Family : Venue Management

Reports To : Head of Venues

Salary £55,000

Contract Full Time

Who Are We Looking For 

We’re looking for an Operational General Manager to take full ownership of the day-to-day running of the venue. You’ll make sure service, standards, and team performance are consistently high, while working closely with the Sales Manager to ensure events are delivered brilliantly and the venue hits its commercial targets.

This is a hands-on role for someone who’s as comfortable running a busy service as they are managing budgets and leading a large team.

Who We Are 

Riverside East is one of Peppermint’s flagship London venues – a busy, all-day bar and restaurant with a huge outdoor yard that hosts everything from Sixes Social Cricket and weekend roasts to live DJs, markets, and brand activations. It’s a lively, mixed-use space that needs a strong operator to keep it running smoothly.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Responsibilities – 

Venue Operations

Oversee daily operations across the Bar & Terrace, Yard, Sixes Cricket, Events and the kitchen.

Ensure the site runs efficiently  from prep and service to close-down.

Keep the venue in top condition: stock levels, staffing, cleanliness and maintenance.

Work closely with the events team on event handovers, set-ups, and delivery.

Manage suppliers, maintenance schedules, and utilities.

Liaise with LLDC, park management, licencing and park partners

People & Leadership

Lead, motivate, and develop the venue team to deliver great service and a positive working culture.

Recruit, train, and retain great people, building a reliable and engaged core team.

Manage rotas in line with forecasts and wage cost targets.

Hold regular briefings and check-ins, giving clear direction and feedback.

Promote Peppermint’s values and teamwork across all departments.

Compliance, Safety & Facilities management 

Take ownership of all licensing, food safety, health & safety, allergen management and building maintenance.

Use SafetyCulture to manage and record audits, checklists, and incident reporting.

Keep all compliance and training documentation up to date and audit-ready.

Lead on EHO, licensing, and site inspections.

Oversee security and crowd management plans with external contractors.

Commercial Performance

Drive the venue’s financial performance, focusing on sales growth, GP, and labour control.

Ensure accurate reporting, stock management, and margin control across all outlets.

Support weekly and monthly forecasting, P&Ls, and performance reviews.

Work with the events team to maximise event profitability and conversion.

Spot opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and grow revenue.

Guest Experience

Lead by example on the floor – visible, approachable, and setting the tone for great service.

Maintain top standards of presentation, cleanliness, and customer care.

Handle guest feedback quickly and positively.

Build local connections and a loyal customer base.

Keep sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity front of mind in everything we do.

What Good Looks Like

Consistent achievement of sales and GP targets

Labour cost on target

Excellent compliance audit scores (EHO, licensing, H&S)

Great feedback from guests and event clients

Strong staff retention and morale

Reduced reactive maintenance costs

Balanced summer and winter programming

Accurate budget reporting against operational P&L

Knowledge/Experience/Skills

Experience running a busy, high-volume venue or similar operation.

Strong leadership and communication skills.

A solid understanding of bar, kitchen, and event operations.

Commercial awareness – comfortable reading and acting on a P&L.

Confidence in compliance, health & safety, and licensing.

A hands-on approach with a focus on people, quality, and results.

Personal Qualifications

-Essential

At least 2 years GM experience or similar role

At least 2 years’ experience in a F&B led venue

-Desired

Food Safety – Level 3

Experience & Business Specific Requirements

Flexible working pattern including evenings, weekends, and event days

You will need to be able to commute to Stratford

Perks & Benefits

– Medicash- dental care, optical treatments, physiotherapy etc

– 28 days holiday (INCLUSIVE of bank holidays)

– Employee assistance programme- counselling and support

– Discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment, and dining

– Company sick pay (10 days)

– Birthday day off

– Hybrid and remote working options

– Quarterly team socials

– Apprenticeship programmes

– Festival, sport, and event tickets

– Drink tokens and VIP packages

– Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

T&C’S APPLY

To apply, please scroll down to complete the application form and attach your most recent CV.