At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and projects for the UK's largest pub operator.
- Company: Join Stonegate Group, a vibrant and inclusive leader in the hospitality industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, competitive salary, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of hospitality while driving growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and a passion for the pub industry.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Us
Stonegate Group is the UK’s largest operator of pubs, bars, and late-night venues, including Slug & Lettuce, Be At One, and Popworld, to name a few. We’re proud of our diverse portfolio and deeply committed to creating an inclusive culture that embraces individuality in all its forms—including neurodiversity. By fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and supported, we reflect the vibrant communities we serve and empower our people to thrive.
The Opportunity
As the Head of Commercial Planning & Projects, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the commercial strategy across all STG business units to achieve volumes, sales and EBITDA targets. Reporting directly to the Director of Insights and Planning you will work closely with FP&A teams, marketing, operations and sales and will be responsible for delivering a trading plan across all STG formats and key ‘gold’ projects. By working closely with Senior Partners across the Pub Support team you will create and own an integrated commercial plan and will ensure that activities align with the format’s strategic priorities and market opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Your leadership and commercial acumen will be instrumental in identifying new opportunities, optimising our proposition, and ensuring a seamless customer experience that aligns with our format promise.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement the overall commercial strategy in alignment with Stonegate’s strategy, business goals and objectives. Own the integrated business planning process and support the division in the development of the annual integrated commercial plans, ensuring that strategic insight, direction and KPI analysis are all leveraged.
- Lead and deliver high-impact commercial ‘Gold Projects’—including sport and major tournaments, Christmas, Pride and Students—end to end. Identify opportunities, shape strategy and work cross-functionally with marketing, operations, sales and finance to translate plans into fully integrated, commercially successful initiatives. Provide leadership to the Commercial Project Manager to ensure the effective delivery of these complex, cross-functional workstreams that drive revenue, growth and long-term value.
- Maintain full visibility of project activity across the business, supported by clear documentation, ensuring teams are aligned, learnings are shared and delivery adheres to agreed plans, timelines and commercial outcomes. Work with and manage stakeholders to find the optimal way to run engagement sessions across teams for these projects.
- Sales Performance & Governance: Monitor and analyse activity performance delivering clear ROI and in turn developing insights recommending actions to improve results. Take ownership of the Division’s Risks and Opportunities, and collation of the pre-business review evaluation in conjunction with the Finance Business Lead.
- Promotion: Work collaboratively with FP&A, Revenue and Margin Management teams on promotional activity – ensuring financial owned promotions complement marketing promotional activity. The Head of Commercial Planning will be responsible for the positioning of strategy based on data insights and the owner of all marketing-led promotional activity.
- Market Analysis: Work with the insight and category team to incorporate market research, competitor analysis, and customer insights to identify trends and opportunities for strategic business planning.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with your aligned partners in Finance, as well as category and insights, marketing, commercial and operations, to ensure seamless execution of commercial strategies and alignment across departments.
- Manage the Commercial Project Manager in their role to provide budget management for the marketing department as a whole, including both the internal marketing spend and the A&P investment.
About You
- Bachelor's degree in a financial or Business related field is advantageous.
- Proven experience in a senior financial or commercial management role within the hospitality, food and beverage, or related industries.
- Strong track record of developing and implementing successful commercial strategies that drive revenue growth and profitability.
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
- Strategic thinker with a strong analytical mindset, using data to inform decisions and identify business opportunities.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Knowledge of the UK pub and hospitality market is highly beneficial.
- Proficiency in using relevant software tools for financial analysis and commercial planning.
- A passion for the pub industry and a customer-centric approach to business planning.
What makes Stonegate a great place to work? 25 days of annual leave, plus 8.
Head of Commercial Planning & Projects - 12m FTC in London employer: Stonegate Group
Contact Detail:
Stonegate Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Planning & Projects - 12m FTC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Stonegate Group. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Stonegate’s brands and recent projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their commercial strategy and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills can help drive revenue and enhance customer experiences at Stonegate. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your leadership and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Stonegate family. Keep an eye on our careers page for updates and new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Planning & Projects - 12m FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Commercial Planning & Projects role. Highlight your experience in commercial strategy and project management, and show us how your skills align with our goals at Stonegate Group.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your exceptional leadership abilities! Share examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in previous roles, especially in cross-functional settings. This will help us understand how you can drive success in our diverse environment.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of strategic planning and market analysis, make sure to include any relevant data-driven achievements. Show us how you've used insights to inform decisions and improve results in your past projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what makes Stonegate a great place to work!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stonegate Group
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Stonegate Group's commercial strategy and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their ongoing success in the hospitality sector.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and people management skills. Think of specific instances where you've inspired cross-functional teams or led successful projects, especially in a commercial context. This will demonstrate your fit for the Head of Commercial Planning role.
✨Understand Market Trends
Brush up on current trends in the UK pub and hospitality market. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact Stonegate's business and how you would leverage them to drive revenue growth and profitability.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach stakeholder engagement across various departments. Prepare to discuss strategies for collaboration with FP&A, marketing, and operations, ensuring you convey your ability to align diverse teams towards common commercial objectives.