Operations Director - £100/£120k plus a strong bonus

COREcruitment; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in London is seeking a Senior Operator in the pub industry. This role emphasizes strategic leadership and commercial focus, ideal for someone with experience managing teams in the pub sector. If you have a strong network and a passion for innovation, this position offers a chance for growth to future MD-level. Applicants should have experience at the Operations Director level and be based in or near London.

Qualifications

• Experience in large pub groups or a strong network in the pub sector.
• Demonstrated experience operating at Operations Director level or equivalent.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities and develop partnerships.
• Support the acquisition and sales process.
• Drive strategic input from a hospitality perspective.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Commercial awareness

Sales expertise

Job description

Location: London (Monday to Friday, office-based)

Please read – this is a little different from an Ops role in the pub sector

A Brilliant Opportunity for a Senior Operator in the Pub Industry

We’re looking for a relationship-driven, charismatic leader with a deep knowledge of the pub sector, ideally someone with experience in large pub groups and a strong network of industry contacts. If you’re passionate, innovative, and excited about what the future holds for pubs, this could be the role for you. A dash of sales prowess is a bonus!

This London-based position is with a business actively buying and selling pubs across the UK, with offices in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. With continued investment and growth planned, they’re seeking an experienced leader to head up the London office and drive the next stage of development.

This isn’t a typical hands-on operations role. It’s commercially focused: identifying opportunities, developing partnerships, and supporting the acquisition and sales process. Perfect for someone who has grown through pub or hospitality operations but is now looking for a strategic, Monday-to-Friday leadership role.

The business is well-backed, highly ambitious, and planning significant expansion over the next 12–18 months. You’ll work closely with a small team and the wider group to ensure smooth execution of deals, strong regional communication, and strategic input from a true hospitality perspective.

The ideal candidate:

• Comes from a branded or quality-led pub, bar, or restaurant background
• Has operated at Operations Director level (or equivalent)
• Demonstrates proven experience managing teams and growing businesses
• Is commercially astute, relationship-driven, and innovative
• Has charisma and leadership, with the ability to inspire a team and influence stakeholders

This is a future MD-level opportunity for someone ready to step away from day-to-day operations and take on a broader strategic leadership position.

If you’re based in or near London, love the pub sector, and want a fresh challenge in a commercial and leadership-focused role, we’d love to hear from you.

If you are keen to discuss the details further, please apply today or send your CV to Stuart Hills or call 0207 790 2666