General Manager

We’re looking for an experienced, motivated leader to manage a student accommodation residence on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a hands-on, multi-disciplinary leadership role with responsibility for building operations, team management, resident experience, and financial performance. Your goal: to ensure the building is well run day-to-day, residents feel safe and supported, and the team is engaged and high performing.

As General Manager, you will be the driving force behind the operational and commercial success of the residence. You will lead the accommodation team, maintain a high standard of customer service, manage budgets and occupancy targets, and support the wellbeing and experience of all residents. Your success will be measured by resident satisfaction, financial performance, operational compliance, and staff development.

• Maximise occupancy through lettings, renewals, and summer rentals.
• Conduct viewings, respond to enquiries, and manage the student retention process.
• Identify and support revenue-generating opportunities in collaboration with the Regional Manager.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, universities, and colleges.
• Deliver excellent customer service in line with National Code of Standards and internal policies.
• Provide pastoral support, manage emergencies, and refer to appropriate services.
• Oversee student move-ins/move-outs ensuring smooth transitions and administrative accuracy.

• Manage the residence in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective administrative systems and ensure full compliance across all areas.
• Ensure your team is trained and confident in all operational procedures.

• Monitor and manage P&L performance, cost control, and budget adherence.
• Conduct accurate billing and credit control using financial systems (e.g., StuRents).
• Ensure compliance with cash handling and financial policies.

• Ensure health, safety, and compliance across all staff and resident areas.
• Conduct regular safety checks and support compliance with building safety legislation.

• Organise staffing rotas, schedules, and holiday cover to ensure full operational support.
• Meet internal reporting deadlines and maintain regular contact with the Regional Manager.

• Ensure high standards of cleanliness and maintenance throughout the residence.
• Work with contractors to deliver reactive and planned maintenance effectively.
• Maintain brand standards across all visual and communal areas.

• Prepare month-end reports and respond to ad hoc reporting requests.
• Maintain compliance and documentation as per company procedures.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and probation processes for all new hires.
• Liaise with HR to ensure all recruitment and onboarding activity is timely and compliant.

• Manage all aspects of team performance, communication, and development.
• Conduct regular 1-2-1s, appraisals, team meetings, and manage performance or absence issues as required.
• Schedule and monitor leave to ensure sufficient operational coverage.
• Where applicable, manage Student Advisers who support residence operations.

• Coach and develop a multi-skilled, self-sufficient team.
• Identify and deliver training aligned with residence and business needs.

• Act as principal emergency contact for the residence, including out-of-hours support.
• Ensure security staff are trained to manage non-critical incidents appropriately.
• Attend the site as needed to manage emergencies.

• Experience in a management role within a client-facing, service-focused industry.
• Proven team management experience, including coaching and performance management.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, P&L, forecasting, and cost control.
• Ideally, previous sales or business development experience.
• Confident in handling multiple priorities, with excellent planning and organisational skills.
• A positive, resident-first mindset, with a strong focus on wellbeing and community.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic, student-focused residence and have a real impact on the student living experience. If you are commercially minded, people-driven, and passionate about building vibrant communities, we’d love to hear from you.