General Manager, Derby
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 15, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 15, 2026.
We're looking for a General Manager for a fantastic community pub & hotel in Derby. Salary up to £55k plus bonus and a generous benefits package.
Marston’s is one of the UK’s largest and most beloved pub chains and today, we operate more than 1,300 pubs, bars and hotels. Now, we’re on the lookout for a great General Manager to take charge at The Blue Jay in Derby and lead the team to success!
What you get from us: You’ll be joining an award-winning local pub company that puts people first, lives by people-led values, and offers real opportunities to advance your career - with genuine benefits that include:
- Additional earnings potential through bonus and incentive schemes
- Employer funded Private Medical Insurance
- Pension scheme with additional Life Assurance and Group Income Protection cover included
- Cheers Reward & Recognition Platform (earn points to spend for living and breathing our values and behaviours and access high street retailer discounts)
- Health Screening Discounts
- Long Service Awards
- Gym Discounts
- 24-hour GP helpline
- Mortgage Advice and support
- On-site accommodation
- Award winning training and development
About the pub
The Blue Jay is a high-volume, destination pub and hotel on the edge of Derby, perfectly positioned on a major route into the city. Trading at an impressive £39,000 per week, this thriving business combines strong community roots with a diverse and loyal customer base.
At the heart of the site is a spacious open-plan restaurant and bar offering 240 covers, a popular daily carvery, family-friendly dining and a packed calendar of reasons to visit. The business also benefits from a 38-bedroom hotel, private function facilities, a children's play area and a stunning beer garden with 140 outdoor covers, making it a true all-day, all-occasion venue.
The Blue Jay attracts a fantastic mix of families, local regulars and hotel guests, creating multiple revenue streams and plenty of opportunities to grow the business even further. With extensive parking, there is significant potential to drive additional footfall through events, community engagement and family-focused activities.
What makes this opportunity truly stand out is that it's already set up for success. A strong and experienced senior management team is in place across both front and back of house, guest satisfaction scores are excellent, and the pub enjoys a fantastic reputation within the local community.
We're looking for an ambitious, community-focused General Manager who can build on these strong foundations, inspire their team and unlock the site's full potential. Experience within hotels or multi-faceted businesses would be a distinct advantage.
Management accommodation is provided via a spacious two-bedroom apartment above the pub.
Have you got what it takes?
It’s true, being a Pub Manager is demanding but the people make it much more than just a job. Brimming with energy and ideas, you’ll add touches of your personality to your pub and think of new ways to delight and excite your customers. You’ll thrive off growing your business and have a ‘lead from the front’ mentality and passion for nurturing your team.
As a General Manager you’ll:
- Care about finding, growing and engaging your team.
- Be accountable for running all aspects of your pub.
- Be passionate about doing the right thing for your staff and your customers.
- Dream big and think differently about new ways to increase sales and growth.
- Celebrate and create a buzz by sharing enjoyable experiences.
Are we right for you?
From cosy locals to pub-restaurants, our destination businesses serve up an award-winning selection of pub classics and innovative new dishes. What’s more, our impressive drinks portfolio combines well-known brands, like Estrella and Hobgoblin, with outstanding craft ales and beers. Add a dash of our unique Marston’s atmosphere and we have the ingredients to make every visit a fantastic experience for our customers. The same goes for our people and as one of our General Managers you’ll find a premium blend of challenge, security and career progression. And whenever you need support or guidance advice from your area manager, you’ll find their door is always open.
Come as you are. Personality counts for more than anything else here. We’ll accept you and celebrate you for being you. We can’t wait to see what we can make happen together. Marston’s could be the making of you.
Marston’s. Where people make pubs.
As part of our application process, we use Lily, an AI-powered interviewing assistant to support the early stages of screening. Lily helps us move quickly, keep things flexible for you, and create a more consistent candidate experience, but one thing you should know - all hiring decisions are still made by our people.