Location Manager (Central London - Paddington & Canary Wharf)

Job description

Role Overview

We're looking for a commercially-driven, hands-on Location Manager to oversee the daily operations of our Paddington and Canary Wharf GoBoat locations. This is a sales-focused operational leadership role that requires significant on-site presence. We expect you to be working from the pontoon at least 50% of your time, leading by example, coaching your team to drive sales, and staying connected to the frontline of our business.

This isn't a desk job. You'll be working alongside your team, actively selling, managing boats, serving customers, and ensuring operational excellence while also identifying and developing new revenue opportunities and building a sales-driven culture across both sites.

Employment Details

• Contract Type: Full-time, salaried position
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Bonus: Profit-based annual bonus (up to 59% of base salary)

Core Responsibilities

• Sales Leadership & Revenue Growth: Drive a sales-first culture across both locations. Coach and train staff on sales techniques, upselling, and customer conversion. Lead by example through active selling on the pontoon. Identify and develop new revenue streams including add-on services, corporate packages, and partnerships. Set and monitor sales targets for your team and hold them accountable for performance.
• Commercial Development: Continuously explore opportunities to increase revenue and profitability. This includes developing new products, pricing strategies, promotional offers, and partnerships with local businesses or corporate clients. You'll be expected to think entrepreneurially about how to grow the business.
• Hands-On Operations: Lead from the front by working alongside your team on the pontoon, demonstrating best practices in customer service, boat operations, sales techniques, and safety protocols.
• Team Leadership & Sales Coaching: Recruit, train, and manage assistant managers and crew members. Build a high-performing, sales-focused team culture where every team member understands their role in driving revenue and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Customer Service Excellence: Ensure all customers receive outstanding service that encourages repeat business and referrals. Handle complaints and refunds professionally, manage corporate bookings, and turn every customer interaction into a sales opportunity.
• Process Improvement: Continuously identify and implement operational improvements for greater efficiency and profitability – both incremental gains and transformative changes.
• Local Marketing: Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute local marketing strategies, support events, and enhance brand visibility to drive footfall and sales.
• Financial Management: Manage staff costs, procurement, stock control, and asset management with a relentless focus on profitability and maximizing operating profit.
• Maintenance & Compliance: Work with the maintenance team to ensure boats meet safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor weather and river conditions, making operational adjustments as needed for safety.
• Stakeholder Relations: Maintain positive relationships with landlords, local authorities, and other key stakeholders that can support business growth.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in operational management with a strong sales track record, ideally in hospitality, leisure, retail, or customer-facing industries
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams to achieve sales targets and drive revenue growth
• A hands-on leadership style – you lead by doing, not just delegating, and you're not afraid to jump in and sell
• Strong commercial awareness with entrepreneurial thinking – you naturally spot opportunities to increase revenue and improve profitability
• Excellent people skills – you can recruit, motivate, and develop a diverse team while holding them accountable for sales performance
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Problem-solving mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation
• Data-driven approach to decision making – comfortable with sales metrics, conversion rates, and financial performance indicators
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and peak periods as required
• Experience with boating or water-based activities is beneficial but not essential

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

04-02-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English