General Manager - Busy Gastro Bar & Restaurant | Greater Galway
I'm working with a thriving hospitality business in Greater Galway to recruit an experienced General Manager for their busy gastro bar and restaurant. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong hospitality leader to step into a high-profile, hands-on role within a well-established, year-round operation that sees a major uplift in trade during the busy summer season, while also enjoying consistent and loyal local business throughout the year.
This role will suit someone who loves being at the heart of the action - a visible, hands-on manager who leads from the floor, builds genuine relationships with guests, gets to know the locals, and becomes a real part of the community. If you have a genuine passion for Food & Beverage operations, a strong commercial mindset, and a commitment to first-class customer service, this is a brilliant opportunity to make a real impact.
What You'll Do
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Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of a busy, high-volume gastro bar and restaurant.
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Lead from the front with a strong presence on the floor, ensuring exceptional guest experiences at every stage of service.
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Build strong connections with regular customers, local trade, and the wider community, helping to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
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Drive excellence across all areas of Food & Beverage operations, ensuring quality, consistency, and high service standards.
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Inspire, motivate, and develop your team, creating a positive culture built around teamwork, energy, and accountability.
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Manage staffing levels, rotas, and service flow to ensure the business runs efficiently during both peak trading and quieter periods.
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Maximise seasonal business opportunities during the summer months while maintaining strong, consistent performance all year round.
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Monitor financial performance, control costs, and identify opportunities to drive revenue and profitability.
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Ensure full compliance with health and safety, hygiene, and licensing standards.
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Work closely with ownership to support continuous improvement, operational excellence, and long-term success.
What We're Looking For
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Proven experience in a General Manager, senior bar management, or restaurant management role within a busy hospitality environment.
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Strong background in Food & Beverage with a real passion for delivering excellent service.
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A hands-on, visible manager who enjoys being on the floor and leading by example.
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A natural people person who can build rapport easily with locals, regulars, staff, and visitors alike.
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Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, labour, margins, and overall business performance.
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A confident leader who can energise a team, maintain standards, and create a positive guest-focused culture.
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Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and confidently manage the demands of a seasonal hospitality business.
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Someone who wants to immerse themselves in the business, the team, and the local community.
Why You'll Love This Role
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Opportunity to lead a busy and successful hospitality business with a strong reputation and loyal customer base.
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A year-round operation with the excitement of a busy summer season and the stability of consistent local trade.
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A hands-on leadership role where your personality, energy, and operational expertise will make a real difference.
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The chance to become a recognised and valued part of the local community.
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Strong autonomy and scope to shape standards, service, and team culture.
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Competitive salary and excellent long-term career opportunity within a growing hospitality environment.
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Lifestyle opportunity in Greater Galway with the chance to combine career progression with a fantastic quality of life.
If you're a passionate hospitality leader who loves great food, great service, and being truly present in the business, this could be the perfect next step. Apply today to take on a rewarding General Manager role in a busy gastro bar and restaurant where no two days are the same.
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