Executive Chef – (Luxury Estate for HNW/Corporate client hire)

Selected applicants will be tasked with running a unique luxury residence to the very highest standards of service, food and guest experience, driving it to become the UK’s Best Country House destination for corporate groups, private celebrations, and family gatherings alike.
It will be the first time in the property’s 350-year history that the estate will be available to let by the public.

We are looking for proven candidates with luxury hospitality credentials; people who have been part of the running of an exclusive country house hotel or a top-level hospitality establishment at a senior level.

The Estate will be operated to standards that rival those of opponents such as The Dorchester Collection, Beaverbrook, and Coworth Park. Every detail will receive the acute attention to detail required to ensure each guest has a memorable stay.

Set within a sweeping Yorkshire landscape and backing directly onto a river, this handsome country house is set in beautiful grounds boasting immaculate flower gardens and a river frontage, the kind of property that stops guests in their tracks. Meticulously appointed across eleven bedrooms, the estate offers an unrivalled setting for exclusive retreats and corporate gatherings of distinction.

It includes:

• Multiple reception rooms, from a formal dining room to areas suited to relaxing with family or holding workshops
• Fully equipped kitchen with scope to include additional equipment to cater for large groups
• Tennis and squash courts
• Heated outdoor swimming pool & pool house (with scope to convert into a bar, entertaining space, or sauna)
• A kitchen garden to source fresh ingredients for the chef

With plans to add further leisure facilities, including a plunge pool and yoga studio, the Estate will be the perfect country retreat.

A stunning staff house is located on site. Should both the Chef and General Manager require accommodation, this will be organised as appropriate.

Hire 1) An Executive Chef, comfortable cooking for groups at a high standard, designing seasonal menus that inspire, whether a laid-back family supper or a corporate dinner with an extensive tasting menu.

You will work with your kitchen garden and local and specialist suppliers to create outstanding seasonal menus, while streamlining with the front-of-house team to ensure special requests are met, and dietary requirements are accommodated.

Your events experience will come into play for larger gatherings, where guests will utilise the stunning grounds for outdoor dining. You will also create tailored menus for waterside picnics upon request during the summer months and cater for any younger guests, including children, with equal care and attention.

Hire 2) A General Manager who will lead in front-of-house operations, guest relations, bookings, and operational management. This opportunity is open to those who understand both the commercial imperative of driving bookings, managing yield and building a reputation that keeps the calendar full, alongside the personal warmth that great hospitality demands.

You will be energetic, entrepreneurial, and genuinely warm. You will thrive on the responsibility of running something beautiful and making it better. You will care about the reviews — in the very best possible way.

Responsibilities

Overall Hospitality & Guest Experience

• The Executive Chef will serve as the resident chef, cooking in-house for all bookings, curating seasonal menus that inspire guests, setting the tone for every event, and maintaining a high culinary standard

Bookings & Marketing – General Manager

• Take ownership of the property’s commercial performance, proactively driving bookings, managing occupancy, converting enquiries into confirmed reservations, and maximising revenue year-round. Handle all guest enquiries with professionalism and warmth, liaising with luxury accommodation agents and corporate booking platforms to maintain listings, availability, and positive reviews
• Oversee marketing activity in conjunction with the estate office, helping to build the property’s profile and reputation
• Build the kind of reputation that generates five-star reviews, referrals, and repeat business
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience from first enquiry to departure, whether that be a corporate retreat or a family gathering
• Manage all housekeeping, property presentation, and day-to-day logistics to an impeccable standard, overseeing the housekeeping team
• Develop a curated portfolio of activities and experiences, working with local events companies and activity providers to suit every type of group, whether guests are looking to unwind, explore, or run a productive corporate retreat
• Work with a local sister business to accommodate larger bookings

Key requirements

• The two opportunities are also open to professional couples – if applying as a couple, you must have commercial experience working together
• Up-to-date CV for each individual
• Candidate photograph
• Covering letter
• Background check
• Availability from September 2026
• Candidates must ensure they meet the necessary requirements for this opportunity before applying
• Suitable applicants should apply without delay. Should you have additional documents you wish to submit alongside your application (such as a cover letter or portfolio), please email them to kate@thestaffdirectory.com