General Manager - Canary Wharf

Location: Canary Wharf, London

Salary: Up to £50,000 + Incentive Scheme

Hours: Full-time, 48 hours per week (including evenings & weekends)

Reports to: Managing Director

Ready to Make Waves?

The visionary team behind Sea Lanes Brighton is breathing new life into the iconic Eden Dock with a floating 50m natural swimming pool, sauna, club house and locally and sustainably sourced coffee, craft beer & street food. From invigorating swims and soothing sauna sessions to family activities, delicious eats, and energising events, we’re creating something truly unique.

This is your chance to join a high-performing team that's OPEN. BRAVE. DIRECT. – and help us create a sustainable, inclusive space where swimming becomes a lifelong joy, not just a seasonal activity.

Working Environment

This is a unique waterside facility, and we want you to know exactly what you're signing up for:

• Outdoor, dock-based setting: Expect to be on your feet, interacting with customers and your team and driving the Sea Lanes culture on site

• Weather and seasonal variation: Operations run year-round regardless of weather conditions. Summer brings peak demand and extended hours; winter requires creativity and resilience to maintain engagement

• Waterside safety considerations: The environment is in close proximity to open water. You'll need to be comfortable working in these conditions and maintaining rigorous safety vigilance

• Physical requirements: The role requires mobility around a multi-level facility and the stamina for long, active days

Launch Phase: What to Expect

You'll be joining us during the most intense and exciting phase, launching a brand-new facility from scratch. This means:

• Building your team from zero: Recruiting, onboarding, and training all your front-line staff in the months before opening

• Systems setup: Implementing booking systems, point of sale, scheduling, health & safety protocols, and operational procedures

• Pre-opening intensity: Extended hours in the lead-up to launch will be required

• Early-stage problem solving: Handling teething issues, customer feedback, and rapid adjustments in real-time

• Managing expectations: Balancing customer enthusiasm with operational realities as we bed in

We need someone who is energised by this challenge. If you thrive on building something from scratch and can stay calm when things don't go to plan, then this role is for you.

What Makes Your Day Amazing

Like all great roles, no two days are the same! You can expect your time with us to be fun, varied, and challenging as you:

Lead the Charge

• Roll up your sleeves and join the Directors getting ready for launch, then run the show, overseeing daily operations with energy and passion

• Be visible, present, and engaged, leading from the front and inspiring everyone around you

• Keep everything safe, efficient, and compliant (food hygiene, licensing)

Drive Success

• Lead strategic decisions within your defined authority and build meaningful relationships with the Canary Wharf community

• Track performance using KPIs, innovate and spot opportunities, always thinking one step ahead, planning, experimenting and evolving the business offer

• Hit revenue and cost targets with commercial flair

Build & Lead the Team

• Recruit, develop, and motivate your team from scratch, this is a blank sheet of paper to find those who share your passion for exceptional service and the open water

• Lead our culture and live our values: Customer First, Make It Happen, and Our People Our Success

• Your character is crucial, we're looking for someone brave, direct and open who can collaborate, deliver, support and empower others

Create Unforgettable Experiences

• Put the customer at the heart of everything we do, make every interaction warm, welcoming, and memorable

• Gather and listen to community feedback, adapt and continuously improve what we offer

• Champion accessibility and break down barriers so everyone can enjoy the water

Reporting & Governance

• You will report directly to the Managing Director

• Regular check-ins: Frequent 1:1 meetings during launch phase (first 6 months), moving to weekly once operations are established

• Objective setting: Quarterly objectives agreed with Managing Director, aligned to annual business plan

• Performance reviews: Formal written two-way feedback at 3 months

• Board visibility: Monthly written report to Directors; attendance at Board meetings to present performance and plans as requested

Accountability & Decision-Making

As General Manager, you will have full accountability for the following areas, with authority to lead and make decisions within defined parameters:

Your Areas of Responsibility

· Daily operations : Scheduling, F&B stock management, property maintenance, and ensuring smooth day-to-day running of the facility

· Front-line team : Recruiting, managing rotas, and leading, F&B staff, and customer service team members

· Budget management : Controlling expenditure within approved budget lines

· Customer experience : Resolving complaints and making goodwill gestures to ensure member satisfaction

· Supplier relationships : Managing local suppliers and ordering within agreed frameworks

Key Performance Indicators

Your success will be measured against the following Key Performance Indicators (specific targets to be agreed during onboarding):

• Revenue: Achievement of monthly and annual revenue targets

• Budget management: Operating within agreed budget with variance reporting

• Member satisfaction: Net Promotor Scores and customer feedback ratings

• Safety standards: Zero serious incidents; audit compliance scores

• Team performance: Staff retention, engagement scores, and training completion

• Community engagement: Local partnerships, events delivered, and community programme participation

Requirements

Essential Qualifications & Certifications

• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene (or equivalent)

• Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace (or equivalent)

• Valid First Aid at Work certificate

• Personal Licence holder (Licensing Act 2003)

• COSHH awareness training

• Allergen awareness training

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 3 or above in hospitality/leisure management

• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent

About You

More than anything, we're looking for someone who puts their heart into their work, shares our values and wants to be part of creating something extraordinary:

Your Passion Shows

• Love for the outdoors, open water swimming, hospitality, people and community

• Customer-first approach with a genuine desire to create unforgettable experiences

• Real sense of purpose: you want to make waves and change lives

Your Experience Speaks

• Proven leadership experience in fast-paced leisure and hospitality

• Strong commercial mindset with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams

• Ability to think strategically, make decisions, manage risk and solve problems quickly

Your Style Inspires

• Hands on leadership: visible, approachable, and inspiring

• Calm under pressure: make things happen, adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment

• Stand on your own two feet: accountable, trustworthy and consistent

Our Values Drive Everything We Do

CUSTOMER FIRST

Customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our aim is to deliver an exceptional customer experience in a safe and inclusive environment.

MAKE IT HAPPEN

We have a 'can do' attitude, take ownership for innovation and consistently provide great service.

OUR PEOPLE, OUR SUCCESS

We work with those passionate about open water swimming and intent on learning and providing world-class experiences.

What's in it for You

Every person makes Sea Lanes the incredible place it is! Within our energising environment, our talented people work hard, but we make sure there's plenty of fun too:

• Competitive salary: Up to £50,000 per annum + quarterly incentives

• A fun, supportive team: We believe in what we're doing and back each other all the way

• Opportunities for growth: We invest in our people with professional development and training

• Staff perks: Discounts on food, drinks, and venue services

• Flexible approach: We value work/life balance

• Real impact: Be part of something that will transform London's leisure landscape

Ready to Jump In?

We are OPEN. BRAVE. DIRECT. If you're ready to lead from the front, be brave, and build a world-class team that puts customers first and makes things happen, we want to hear from you!

Interviews: Will happen throughout January, initially via video call. Final stages will be face to face in either London or Brighton

Start Date: To be agreed. Provisionally April 2026

Travel: To be agreed

We believe every person has the right to thrive at work. We're committed to equal employment opportunity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Should you require any specific accommodations in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Ready to make a splash? We can't wait to meet you!

Learn more about us: