Area Manager - Unity in Oxford

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 strive to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent, ensuring each individual experiences growth, recognition and fulfilment in their roles.

As an Area Manager - 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
• 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

Interested? Apply now!