At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and support 33 pubs, enhancing performance and building strong relationships.
- Company: Join Star Pubs, part of the Heineken family, dedicated to community and pub culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, company car, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pub industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Field-based role – across Maidenhead, High Wycombe and Reading. Salary: circa £55,000 base, depending on experience, plus full benefits listed below. Closing Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026. Contract: Permanent.
HEINEKEN has a long-held belief that pubs are an integral part of British culture and that well-invested pubs, run by skilled pub operators, can prosper and thrive. As the nation’s leading pub, cider and beer company, we’re looking for equally brilliant people to help us bring out the best in the great British pub.
As a Business Development Manager with Star Pubs, you’ll manage around 33 pubs across the Thames Valley region (Maidenhead, High Wycombe and Reading). You’ll work closely with pub operators and lessees, supported by a virtual team including Pub Operations, Estates and Property. Together, you’ll focus on improving performance, strengthening relationships, and making sure each pub is set up to succeed and trading at its best.
What you’ll do:
- Build trusted, long‑term relationships with pub operators and lessees
- Develop and own clear, practical business plans for each pub in your patch
- Take ownership of P&L performance across your estate
- Identify opportunities to grow revenue and improve efficiency
- Support new lettings and operator recruitment where required
- Agree on commercial terms and review trading performance
- Work with internal teams to improve operations, marketing and customer experience
You’ll have freedom to structure your diary, with key touchpoints such as team meetings. We trust you to manage your time and deliver outcomes.
Who we’re looking for:
You’ll likely come from an area/regional operational management role within a multi‑site environment where you’ve balanced commercial targets with people leadership and customer focus. This is not a pure sales role. It suits someone who enjoys coaching, influencing, and improving performance through strong relationships.
What You’ll Bring:
- Experience in retail, hospitality, leisure or multi‑site management
- Strong Profit & Loss (P&L) ownership and financial performance delivery
- Ability to work across functions, balancing commercial delivery with long‑term partnerships
- Commercial thinking with the confidence to make sound decisions that grow profitability
- Experience managing a varied patch and competing priorities
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- A passion for creating exceptional customer and consumer experiences
Experience in the pub sector is a bonus, but we’re open to candidates from other industries who bring the right commercial acumen and customer focus gained outside of the pub industry (retail, hospitality etc.) and who’re as passionate about consumers and customers as we are. A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.
Why Join Us?
At Star Pubs, part of the global Heineken family, we believe in investing in our people and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. This is a role where you can really make a difference, to both the business and the communities we serve. If you’re looking for a challenge and an opportunity to take your career to the next level, then we want to hear from you.
The Good Stuff!
- Annual bonus
- Company Car (a current and full Driving Licence is a must for this role)
- Meal and Broadband Allowance
- Company‑funded Private Medical Healthcare
- Double‑matched pension contributions (up to 10%)
- 35 days holiday (with the opportunity to buy/sell)
- A quarterly allowance towards purchasing our delicious ciders and beers (low and no alcohol options available)
- Exciting opportunities to develop your career
You’ll also get the opportunity to get involved with one of our colleague networks, where groups of colleagues from all over the business work together to ensure we’re always working towards being a diverse and inclusive company.
The Application:
If you like what you’ve read and want to explore this opportunity further, please apply as soon as possible. We may close vacancies early when we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay! If you need any adjustments made to support your application, for example, if you require information in different formats, or if you have any accessibility issues, then we’re more than happy to review our processes.
In all likelihood, the ideal candidate for this role won’t meet every single requirement in this advert; in fact, we all need the opportunity to grow and develop in the role. The team at HEINEKEN would encourage you to submit an application if the advert has piqued your interest rather than ruling yourself out based on any self‑limiting beliefs.
Apply today to discover Your Future, Untapped.
Business Development Manager - Star Pubs - Thames Valley in High Wycombe employer: The HEINEKEN Company
At Star Pubs, part of the Heineken family, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values collaboration, growth, and community impact. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a company car, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowances, we foster a supportive work culture that empowers our Business Development Managers to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful difference in the Thames Valley region. Join us to be part of a team that is passionate about enhancing the British pub experience and driving sustainable success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Star Pubs - Thames Valley in High Wycombe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with pub operators. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for pubs! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your love for the pub culture and how you can contribute to their success. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Star Pubs and understand their values and goals. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Star Pubs.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Star Pubs - Thames Valley in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing relationships and driving commercial results, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about the pub industry and how your background makes you a great fit. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships and improved performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:In your application, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with P&L management and how you’ve successfully driven profitability. We love candidates who can think commercially and make sound decisions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The HEINEKEN Company
✨Know Your Pubs
Before the interview, do your homework on the pubs in the Thames Valley area. Familiarise yourself with their unique characteristics and challenges. This will show your potential employer that you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Since this role is all about building long-term relationships, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed partnerships in the past. Think about specific situations where your communication and influencing skills made a difference.
✨Understand P&L Inside Out
Brush up on your Profit & Loss knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've taken ownership of financial performance in previous roles. Highlight any strategies you've implemented to improve profitability, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your commercial thinking and decision-making processes. Think of examples where your strategic insights led to revenue growth or operational efficiency. This will help convey that you can balance commercial delivery with nurturing partnerships.
