Job Description

We are seeking a highly organised, commercially minded Operations Manager to oversee the full day-to-day running of our multi-outlet hospitality business at The Sun Inn, Ulverston. The site includes a 20-bedroom hotel, bar, restaurant, large outdoor trading space, underground live music venue (The Pit), function room (1780), and our Smash Burgers offer.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires the successful candidate to live on-site to effectively manage the operational needs of the business. Strong leadership, excellent organisational skills, and commercial awareness are essential, along with the ability to drive performance across all departments. The role also includes managing the refurbishment of the hotel bedrooms and overseeing wider business improvement projects.

Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the business across all departments. Lead and manage all staff, including front of house, kitchen, housekeeping, hotel, and venue teams. Liaise with external security teams for both the bar and The Pit live music venue. Ensure the highest standards of service, cleanliness, and guest experience. Take responsibility for all cash handling procedures, ensuring accuracy, security, and compliance with company processes.

Recruitment, Training & Staff Development

Lead recruitment for all departments. Create and deliver training and development plans for all staff, including kitchen and housekeeping. Conduct monthly staff meetings and regular performance appraisals. Build a positive, supportive workplace culture aligned with business goals.

Financial Planning & Commercial Management

Lead financial planning and quarterly budgeting for all departments. Monitor KPIs, cost controls, margins, and labour spend. Produce and review financial reports to support decision-making. Oversee and ensure compliance with robust cash handling procedures, banking processes, and financial controls. Maintain strong stock control, purchasing processes, and financial accountability throughout the business.

Rota & Labour Management

Oversee rota planning and labour costing for all departments. Produce financial forecasts in line with labour budgets to ensure staffing levels support operational needs while controlling costs. Ensure staffing levels are efficient, compliant, and in line with business demands. Monitor labour spend and adjust schedules to optimise productivity and profitability.

Stock, Ordering & Cellar Management

Manage ordering, stocktaking, and reconciliation across all wet and dry stock. Take full responsibility for stock accuracy, wastage control, and supplier relationships. Lead full cellar management, including line cleaning, deliveries, storage, and quality standards.

Health & Safety & Compliance

Take full responsibility for Health & Safety management for the entire venue. Ensure full compliance with licensing, food safety, fire safety, and statutory requirements. Maintain up-to-date documentation, risk assessments, and training records.

Marketing & Business Development

Lead marketing for all areas of the business, including: Smash Burgers The Pit (live music venue) The Sun Inn Hotel accommodation 1780 Function Room Manage all digital, social media, print, and promotional activity. Oversee the development and management of an online ordering app for Smash Burgers, including design, functionality, promotions, and customer experience. Plan, implement, and manage online paid advertising campaigns, including Google Ads, and analyse performance to optimise results and ROI. Produce a

quarterly strategic plan

, a high-level roadmap of priorities, initiatives, and goals for the next quarter, execute the plan, and provide a detailed report pack to the directors highlighting the return on ad spend and overall ROI. Adjust marketing and advertising strategies based on data, campaign performance, and spend efficiency. Work with external marketing teams and agencies where required. Maintain accurate online listings, menus, event schedules, and promotional materials. Develop strategies to grow the business across all key revenue streams and monitor performance metrics.

Live Music & Events Management

Fully manage The Pit underground live music venue, including entertainment programming and annual event planning. Develop a full strategy for each event, including detailed financial proposals, revenue and attendance forecasts, best- and worst-case scenarios, cost-benefit analysis, and break-even points. Manage all artist contractual agreements, ensuring terms, fees, and rider requirements are clearly defined, negotiated, and delivered. Produce comprehensive event management plans covering logistics, staffing, technical specifications, health & safety requirements, and customer flow. Prepare event performance projections and post-event evaluations to assess profitability, audience response, and opportunities for improvement. Oversee the delivery of all events, ensuring exceptional guest experience and full compliance with licensing and operational standards.

Hotel Management

Oversee reservations, housekeeping, maintenance, and guest relations. Manage occupancy levels and revenue strategy to maximise bookings and profitability. Take full responsibility for managing third-party booking sites such as Booking.com and Expedia. Identify, negotiate, and onboard new online travel agents (OTAs) to expand booking channels. Introduce and market special promotions, including dinner, bed & breakfast packages and rates, both in-house and via third-party providers. Monitor room rates, availability, and market trends to optimise occupancy and revenue. Manage guest communications, reviews, and operational standards to ensure an exceptional experience.

Project Management

Lead the refurbishment of the 20-bedroom hotel, including budgeting, contractor liaison, planning, timelines, and quality control. Manage ongoing business improvement projects across the site.

Skills & Experience

Proven experience in senior hospitality or multi-outlet operations management. Strong financial and commercial understanding, including cash control and budgeting. Experience with live music programming or venue/event management. Marketing experience, including working with external agencies and app-based platforms. Leadership experience with the ability to manage diverse teams. Project management experience, ideally within refurbishments or operational improvements. Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Strong understanding of licensing, compliance, and health & safety requirements.

Personal Attributes

Hands-on, proactive, and confident in taking ownership. Commercially driven with a strong understanding of costs and performance. Creative and enthusiastic about events, marketing, and hospitality. Calm under pressure with a practical, solutions-focused approach. Professional, reliable, and able to build strong internal and external relationships.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 38,000.00-40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking
Work Location: In person