At Punch we’re aiming to be the 5* pub company.

We want to create a world class team where everyone embodies the essence of 5* service.  We strive to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent, ensuring that each individual experiences growth, recognition and fulfilment in their roles.

This job description sets out what we need from you to be successful in your role and what you can expect in return.

As Senior Operations Manager – Unity Social, your core purpose is to:

Lead and inspire our teams in building a 5* pub company rooted in community spirit, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and uniting our people with purpose, pride and passion.

You will work in partnership with the Unity Social Operations Director in creating the Unity Social family that works at the heart of the local community.

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary
• Annual Company Bonus Scheme
• Company pension
• 25 Annual holiday days (Option to buy and sell)
• Free pay-day drinks
• Retail & Leisure discount scheme
• and much more……

Accountabilities:

• You will have an insatiable appetite to deliver the best wet led community pubs.
• Manage, inspire and empower a team of Publicans and future Area Managers as we grow the Unity Social movement.
• Support the Operations Director in the delivery of the Unity Social roll out plan, inclusive of Partnership, Guest, Community, Compliance, Pro-Active Sales, Profit Conversion and doing well by doing good.
• Co-develop and implement nationwide strategies to enhance sales, profitability, and guest satisfaction, specifically utilising the 5* framework and sustainable hospitality.
• Direct line management of Unity Social Area Managers once recruited.
• Direct responsibility for a region of pubs (which will only reduce as and when are able to recruit new Area Managers).
• Set an exceptional example with regular evening visits and weekend visits.
• Take ownership for both the operational performance results and determine areas of fix and solution.
• You will take the lead in ensuring meaningful relationships are created into the local community of every single Unity Social pub. You will exceed challenging targets to raise substantial funds for both national and local charities
• Ensure Unity Social has exceptional working relationship with all the teams across the Group.
• Build a sales hungry culture through inspiring, challenging and supporting Publicans and AMs to achieve the best possible proposition within each business.
• Drive accountability of Publican and the Area Manager team, through clear objectives, regular feedback, and direction, coupled with a culture of continuous improvement.
• Take on operational leadership of projects, including managing complex cross-functional efforts to deliver key business outcomes.
• Manage the delivery of the Partner Lifecycle, Selection, Onboarding, Growth, Support and Business Improvement
• Deliver operational excellence across all Pubs maintaining the highest retail standards. Lead the team to ensure the greatest value is extracted from the Unity Social capex plan in partnership with the property investment team.
• Identify suitable opportunities for investment that will provide sustainable returns for both Unity Social and our Publicans.
• Ensure the delivery of well-defined, structured onboarding plans for all new Partners in Unity Social, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and support to launch their pub effectively and set them up for success.
• Accountable for ensuring all associated pubs are up to date with relevant legislation, regulation, and industry standards to enable a fully compliant business.

Technical Competencies / Professional Expertise:

• Demonstrable experience of leading high-performing teams
• You must love creating sales building activity in pubs, and you must be willing to demonstrate in the pub at peak trading time how this is delivered.
• You must have a deep appreciation of the importance of sport to our customers.
• You must have a good commercial brain that makes a real contribution to the success of the Unity Social Publicans, understanding the key importance of Publican profitability and you must understand how to maximise ROI and ROCE for our investors.
• You need to be comfortable in being hands on and whilst Unity grows, you will need to roll up your sleeves to support and help.
• You must demonstrate humility in what you say and how you act.
• Ability to analyse current operational processes and performance and recommend solutions for improvement.
• Demonstrate strong financial acumen through strategic decision making in relation to recruitment, investment, and pub proposition
• Show high levels of enthusiasm and maintain energy and commitment in the face of setbacks and pressure.
• Demonstrate sound business decision-making through detailed research and analysis.
• Maintain high professional standards and be an ambassador for Unity Social.
• Motivate and engage Area Managers and Publicans through the high challenge, high support model.
• Prioritise and effectively manage time and workload.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels, with passion, integrity and credibility to influence and persuade
• Demonstrate an ability to convert commercial awareness and understanding into making sound business decisions which enables profitable outcomes
• Pre-empt issues or problems which are likely to occur and put permanent fixes in place
• Deliver results without compromising company values and leadership behaviours.
• Actively seek to develop own professional development and industry knowledge.

Our values are really important to us, they are the foundation of everything we do.  They guide our daily actions, influence our decision making and shape our workplace culture.  Your first job will be to work with the Group Strategy and Commercial Director and Unity Social Operations Director in defining these values and ensure that we live them every day.

Key Relationships:

• Group Strategy and Commercial Director
• Unity Social Operations Director
• Unity Social Area Managers
• Unity Social Publicans
• Every single community served by a Unity Social pub
• Marketing Manager
• Property Manager
• Recruitment Manager
• Senior HR Business Partner
• L&D Business Partner
• Finance Business Partner

 

Closing date: Thursday 26th June 2025