The Brand

We are a growing London restaurant group sharing the food and spirit of Thailand. Founded by chef Luke Farrell in partnership with JKS Restaurants, our restaurants each bring a different side of Thai dining to the city: the bold Southern Thai cooking of Plaza Khao Gaeng and the late-night energy of Bangkok’s Chinatown at Speedboat Bar. With YAI, our new restaurant, planned to open in early 2027, this is an exciting time to join the team.

The Position

The People Manager is responsible for overseeing people operations across Chaiyo sites. The role provides comprehensive HR support and strategic guidance to site managers and delivers impactful people initiatives. It bridges business strategy and people operations, so it needs both operational understanding and the ability to deliver empathetic, efficient HR services in line with company values. The role is pivotal in driving engagement, development and excellence across the Chaiyo sites.

Duties include:

• Be the first point of contact for all HR and L&D matters across the sites
• Directly support and coach the management team to continually improve the effectiveness of the People function
• Take a hands-on and visible approach to people matters across the sites
• Oversee and deliver monthly people metrics and dashboard data to the Head of Operations
• Advise and coach the sites on ER matters, interpreting and advising on employment law and escalating where required
• Communicate and promote benefits to operational teams
• Manage birthday and long service recognition, and track benefit uptake across sites
• Drive HR initiatives such as employee engagement, reward and recognition, wellbeing, ED&I and other relevant projects
• Take responsibility for 100% compliance with statutory HR requirements
• Support the maintenance of the Company’s skilled worker licence, including supporting managers when they identify the need to sponsor a worker
• Maintain awareness of, and ensure compliance with, relevant health and safety legislation
• Ensure all employees attend and receive site induction and onboarding
• Ensure all employees receive a probation review, followed by regular check-ins and appraisals
• Drive attendance at Learning & Development sessions
• Drive completion of career pathways across the sites
• Build and deliver training sessions relevant to the needs of the sites

The successful People Manager will have:

• At least three years’ HR experience, including time at Senior HR Advisor level or above, with a track record of managing ER cases independently (hospitality experience preferred but not essential)
• A CIPD Level 5 qualification (desirable but not essential)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to connect with all levels of the business and motivate colleagues through creative and innovative employee experiences
• Confidence as an engaging communicator, comfortable leading training sessions for all levels of the business
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, self-manage a workload and keep an eye for detail
• Excellent personal presentation and a warm, welcoming personality

Benefits & Culture

At Chaiyo, we believe in a culture that truly backs our people. Hospitality is a people industry, and we're committed to rewarding the hard work and loyalty that makes us who we are.

We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and celebrate the skills and characteristics that make you unique. Your commitment to be kind and work hard comes with a range of benefits such as:

We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and celebrate the skills and characteristics that make you unique. Your commitment to be kind and work hard comes with a range of benefits, including:

• Hybrid working (4 days on site, 1 day WFH)
• Up to 50% off dining across JKS Restaurants
• Lunch for two at one of our restaurants when you pass probation
• £500 self-care allowance after one year of service
• Hospitality Rewards membership
• Code app membership
• Stream – access your pay earlier
• Company donations for your involvement with charities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to financial advice
• WSET wine and spirits courses
• A personalised learning and development plan to build your skills and knowledge
• Career progression with a fast-growing, critically acclaimed restaurant group
• Employee referral scheme paying up to £600 per referral
• Team parties and long service awards
• Wedding gift and newborn care package
• 24/7 GP access for you and your family
• Discounted gym membership

The Group

JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. Since its inception, the group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition, including 8 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands, a restaurant ranked among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants, and a spot in the Sunday Times Best 100 Places to Work 2026.

The JKS portfolio currently features Michelin-starred restaurants such as Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, Legado and Ambassadors Clubhouse; along with cult favourites Hoppers, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar, and Bibi.

JKS Restaurants offers a unique opportunity to pursue a career in fine dining or to develop within trend-focused casual cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to advance their careers within a people-focused, collaborative hospitality group.