From team player to team leader: What it’s really like to be a General Manager

Being a General Manager at M&B means having the keys, literally and figuratively. You’re the person opening up in the morning, setting the mood on a busy Friday night, and making the calls that keep everything moving when plans change (because they always do). It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and no two days are the same. 

General manager hospitality jobs at M&B are about running a business with people at its centre. 

You’re trusted to lead your team your way, take ownership of results, and build a place that feels right for guests and staff alike. If you’re curious about what life looks like once you step into the top role, this is the unfiltered version. 

What does a General Manager do in hospitality?

Ask five General Managers, and you’ll get five different answers, because the role stretches far beyond delivering a great shift. At M&B, you’re the link between the business plan and what actually happens on the floor.

That means setting the standard for service, stepping in to support whoever needs it: bar, food-running, pot-washing, and making sure every shift runs safely and smoothly. You’re responsible for performance too, from sales and costs to stock, rotas, and compliance, but never from behind a desk all day. 

You’ll spend just as much time coaching your team, developing on potential, and having proper conversations as you will reviewing numbers.

General manager hospitality jobs at M&B blend leadership, commercial thinking, and people skills. You’re trusted to make decisions, solve problems as they come up, and shape the culture of your pub or restaurant in a way that gives you autonomy, after all, you know your business best!

How do you become a General Manager in hospitality?

The journey to becoming a General Manager at M&B is more about growth than titles. Many start as Team Members, Bartenders, or Assistant Managers, learning the business from the ground up. 

We’ve even had chefs transition into General Manager careers at M&B, so there’s not really a traditional path that will get you there. 

It is all about having the curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in helping others succeed.

At M&B, you won’t be left to figure it out alone. Support, training, and mentoring are built into the path, so you can develop your leadership skills, understand commercial performance, and gain the confidence to run your own site. 

It’s a role where hands-on experience meets real responsibility, and where your progression is visible, both in the team you lead and the results you deliver. 

What skills do you need for General Manager hospitality jobs?

For anyone eyeing general manager hospitality jobs, it’s about showing you can balance people, operations, and performance, and proving you’re ready to take ownership of your pub or restaurant. 

If you’re curious to dive deeper into the skills that make a great GM, we’ve got plenty more insights waiting for you.

A General Manager role at M&B isn’t for everyone, and that’s a good thing. It’s fast-paced, hands-on, and full of variety. You’ll need energy, resilience, and a genuine interest in leading a team and creating memorable guest experiences.

If you’re ready to step up, lead with confidence, and see the difference you can make every day, exploring General Manager hospitality jobs at M&B could be your next big move.