Area Manager- North East

Punch Pubs and Co; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Annual Company Bonus Scheme

Company pension

25 Annual holiday days (Option to buy

and sell)

Progression and development

Free pay-day drinks

Retail & Leisure discount

Pub discount scheme

Long service awards

Job summary

Punch Pubs and Co is looking for an Area Manager - Unity Social to lead a portfolio of pubs operated by self-employed partners. You will coach operators to deliver outstanding community-focused pubs, guest experiences, and strong operational standards.

You will partner with Unity Social leadership to build a local network that thrives on community engagement and sales growth, with a focus on excellence in service and pub operations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of leading high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Experience delivering sales-building activity in pubs.
• Understanding of wet-led pub operations.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with pub operators, acting as a trusted advisor and coach.
• Support operators in delivering excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Drive accountability of Publican team, through clear objectives, regular feedback, and direction, with continuous improvement.
• Set an exceptional example with regular evening visits and weekend visits.
• Monitor and drive performance across sales, margin, and cost control.
• Analyse trading data and trends to identify opportunities for growth.
• Ensure pubs are maximising their potential through local marketing and events.
• Conduct regular site visits to ensure standards are upheld across cleanliness, compliance, and presentation.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Sales-driven

Community engagement

Communication

Job description

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

We want to create a world class team where every employee embodies the essence of 5* Partnership, supporting our brilliant Pubs. We stride to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent, ensuring each individual experiences growth, recognition and fulfilment in their roles.

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

Come as you are — and thrive

At Punch, we believe great pubs are built by great people, and great people don’t all look, think or act the same.

We’re proud to be a place where individuality is welcomed, differences are valued, and everyone can bring their whole self to work.

If you need adjustments or a different approach to help you shine, we’ll work with you to make it happen.

We are committed to equal opportunities for all and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

As an Area Manger - Unity Social, my core purpose is to:

You will be responsible for leading a portfolio of pubs operated by self-employed partners. Your role is to support, coach, and challenge operators to deliver outstanding community-focused pubs, delivering exceptional guest experiences, drive sales, and maintain high operational standards.

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

What you'll get in return:

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Company Bonus Scheme
• Company pension
• 25 Annual holiday days (Option to buy and sell)
• Progression and development opportunities
• Free pay-day drinks
• Progression and development opportunities
• Retail & Leisure discount scheme
• Pub discount scheme
• Long service awards
• and much more...

Key Accountabilities

Operator Support & Development

• Build strong relationships with pub operators, acting as a trusted advisor and coach.
• Support operators in delivering excellent customer service and community engagement.
• 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.
• Drive accountability of Publican team, through clear objectives, regular feedback, and direction, coupled with a culture of continuous improvement.
• Set an exceptional example with regular evening visits and weekend visits.

Community Engagement

• Champion Unity Social’s community ethos by encouraging operators to build strong local connections.
• Support initiatives that enhance the pub’s role in the community.

Commercial Performance

• Build a sales hungry culture through inspiring, challenging and supporting Publicans and AMs to achieve the best possible proposition within each business.
• Monitor and drive performance across sales, margin, and cost control.
• Analyse trading data and trends to identify opportunities for growth.
• Ensure pubs are maximising their potential through local marketing and events.

Operational Excellence

• Deliver operational excellence across all Pubs maintaining the highest retail standards.
• Conduct regular site visits to ensure standards are upheld across cleanliness, compliance, and presentation.
• Support operators in resolving operational challenges and implementing best practices.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all pubs operate within licensing laws, health & safety regulations, and company policies.
• Conduct audits and follow up on action plans to mitigate risk.

Technical Skills:

• Passion for community-focused hospitality.
• Demonstrable experience of leading high-performing teams – strong coaching and relationship building skills
• 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 demonstrate humility in what you say and how you act.
• Show high levels of enthusiasm and maintain energy and commitment in the face of setbacks and pressure.
• 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.
• Understanding of wet-led pub operations.

Key Stakeholders:

• Group Strategy and Commercial Director
• Unity Social Operations Director
• 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