Emma Walker
Summary
Senior operations manager with 14+ years of leadership experience managing high-volume hospitality operations, multi-site support and people management across South Yorkshire. Experienced in leading teams of 120+ employees, delivering multi-million pound turnover, driving sales growth, improving profitability and developing future leaders.
Skilled in employee relations, performance management, succession planning, disciplinary processes and operational excellence. Recognised for building high performing teams and supporting multiple sites across a regional estate.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work history
General Manager
JD Wetherspoon
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2012.03 - 2026.07
- Managed a high volume JD Wetherspoon site while providing ad hoc operational support across a regional estate of 13 pubs
- Area employee relations manager for 8 years; providing specialist support across 13 sites on disciplinaries, capability, absence review meetings, wellness meetings and appeal hearings. Completed advanced personnel and employment law training and coached managers to improve operational performance.
- Lead and developed a workforce of 120+ employees including 15+ managers across front of house and kitchen operations
- Recruitment and management of senior staff with focus on delivering clear results and establishing strong connections
- Regionally report about key performance indicators and present the findings in large group settings to drive profitability.
- Managed full P&L responsibility for a business generating £110,000 weekly turnover
- Increased annual sales to over £6million while maintaining labour and profitability targets
Banking associate
Halifax
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
2010.11 - 2012.03
- Delivered customer service and financial transactions to hundred of customers daily
- Resolved customer queries and maintained regulatory compliance
- Identified sales opportunities by understanding customers financial needs and recommending suitable banking products and services
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Hospitality and business management
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds, West Yorkshire2018-06
A-Levels - Sports Science
Balby Carr Sports College
Doncaster, South Yorkshire2014-07
Skills
- Multi-site operations
- Employment relations
- Performance management
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Recruiting and retention
- Succession planning
- Team development
- P&L management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Labour cost control
- KPI Analysis
- Customer experience
- Training and coaching
ACHIEVEMENTS
-Promoted and developed 4 deputy managers who have progressed into General Manager positions
-Managedone of the highest volume venues in the region delivering annual sales exceeding £6 million
-Consecutively grown profits year on year, achieving record profits in 2025 with profit growth of 11%
Hobbies
- Horticulture and wildlife gardening
- Sustainable living and conservation
- Travel and cultural exploration
Timeline
General Manager
JD Wetherspoon
2012.03 - 2026.07
Banking associate
Halifax
2010.11 - 2012.03
Diploma of Higher Education - Hospitality and business management
Leeds Beckett University
A-Levels - Sports Science
Balby Carr Sports College