General Manager

Description

General Manager

CGLA | Penn, Buckinghamshire | Senior Leadership

Full time, Office Based

Package: £80-90k plus bonus

CGLA is a high-end landscape design practice based in Penn, Buckinghamshire. We design and deliver exceptional gardens for private clients, architects and professional teams, combining creativity with commercial discipline.

We are entering an ambitious new phase of growth.

Our aim is to increase design value, expand our landscaping pipeline (including through partnerships with external designers), and deliver more projects through a carefully managed mix of in-house teams and trusted subcontractors — all without materially increasing fixed overheads.

To achieve this, we are appointing a General Manager.

The Opportunity

This is a genuine leadership role.

You will take ownership of the operational engine of a £3m design-led business, ensuring projects run smoothly, margins are protected, risks are managed early, and the team operates with clarity and confidence.

The Directors will continue to lead creative direction and key relationships. You will lead day-to-day operations and build the structure that allows the business to grow sustainably.

Your key responsibilities…

Lead the daily running of the practiceManage team performance and accountabilityOwn workflow planning and capacity managementProvide clear financial and operational reportingProtect landscaping margin through disciplined oversightBuild robust systems for managing subcontracted projectsEnsure the client experience remains seamless and premium
This role is central to ensuring that growth translates into profit, not stress.

This role will suit you if you are…

A confident and experienced operatorCommercially aware and financially disciplinedCalm, organised and reliable under pressureComfortable managing complexity across design and deliveryExperienced in working in a founder-led or owner-managed businessCapable of balancing detail with strategic oversight
You do not need to be a landscape designer.

You do need to be comfortable operating in a high-end, client-facing environment where standards and reputation matter deeply.

What this role offers you…..

Senior leadership role with real autonomyOpportunity to shape systems and operational strategyDirect influence on a growing, respected design-led businessLong-term stability with meaningful impact

INDHS

Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful.

Ad ID: 5418043906