Designate General Manager

As Designate General Manager with Acorn Pubs, you'll be part of an exciting and growing business, gaining invaluable experience across the estate while preparing to take on your own pub as we continue to expand.

Acorn Pubs is part of the renowned Brunning & Price family, a business known for investing in its people, its pubs and its future. With continued growth and investment across the portfolio, we're looking for future General Managers who want to play a key role in shaping the next chapter of our success.

This is a genuine GM-in-waiting opportunity. While awaiting your own permanent site, you'll work alongside some of our most experienced operators, supporting businesses across the estate, helping to deliver major refurbishment projects, pub relaunches and new openings. You'll gain exposure to different styles of operation, build your leadership experience and develop the skills needed to successfully run one of our pubs.

Across Acorn Pubs, we're investing heavily in our estate, with sites undergoing exciting refurbishments and transformations. As a Designate General Manager, you'll have the opportunity to be involved in these projects from the ground up—supporting recruitment, team development, operational setup, launches and relaunches that create standout hospitality destinations.

No two weeks will be the same. One month you could be helping to relaunch a newly refurbished pub, the next supporting a busy flagship operation, all while preparing for the moment your own pub becomes available.

We're not standing still. We're investing in our pubs, growing our portfolio and creating exciting opportunities for talented hospitality professionals who want to progress their careers.

For the right person, this role offers the chance to fast-track your development, build your General Management experience and be first in line when the next opportunity arises.

Our Offer

• Package up to £50k including TRONC

The Extras  

• We know you work hard so we feed you well - free meals on shift, choose from the menu! 
• 30% discount for you, your friends and family across Acorn Pubs, Brunning and Price and our group including wagamama and selected airport pubs and restaurants.
• It’s never too early to start saving for the future with a NEST pension. 
• Protection for your family with life assurance. 
• Great discounts via Perks on Tap saving you money on everyday purchases and more. 
• Cycle to work scheme. 
• Electric vehicle scheme.  
• £1,000 referral bonus for introducing new Managers or Chefs to the company. 
• Wagestream - use flexible pay to choose when to get paid.

Your Wellbeing – it’s important to us! 

• Free 24-hour confidential legal and information helpline for you and your family. 
• Bespoke wellbeing support offering free counselling for all crew. 
• Access to health checks and virtual GP appointments. 
• Discounted gym membership. 
• Plenty of social get togethers – it’s not all work and no play. 
• Recognition platform with regular thankyous. 

Career progression – we want you to grow with us! 

• Superb internal and external development programmes to support your progress. 
• Advanced Leadership Skills course enhancing self-awareness and soft skills.  
• Regular days out exploring fresh seasonal produce. 
• Bespoke drinks tasting events. 
• We encourage movement between our pubs so you can have a long-term career with us. 

About you... 

We’re looking for a warm and charismatic manager to lead a friendly, ambitious team and drive this busy pub forwards. You’ll enjoy a high degree of independence with the freedom to be creative and run the pub as if it were truly your own. 

You’ll be interested in and knowledgeable about food and drink with a genuine passion for beer and wine. Commercially and financially astute, you’re at your happiest looking after customers whilst training, inspiring and developing your team. As a proven general manager from a premium, food-led background, you’ve previously built a successful business with a good local reputation and will thrive in a place where you have the freedom to do exactly that. 

About Acorn Pubs... 

• A collection of 10 pubs, 6 of which have bedrooms.
• Our wider company, Brunning and Price, includes 79 pubs across the country.
• A company with heart, where individuality, personality and diversity are encouraged. 
• A company committed to reducing our carbon footprint, working sustainably, and supporting our local communities. 
• @brunningandpricecareers #bandplife 

If you’re ready to be part of a family where you can genuinely make a difference, then make your next career move a pub manager position with Acorn Pubs and apply now!