Premier Inn
Career Guide
Contents
3 A Message from John Forrest
4 Get Earning, Get Learning, Get Qualified
6 Your Premier Inn Career Journey
8 Work Experience
10 Team Member
12 Team Leader
14 Food & Beverage Manager
16 Operations Manager
18 New Opening General Manager
20 Cluster General Manager
22 Regional Operations Manager
24 Apprenticeships
27 Management Development Programmes
28 Employee Benefits
Introduction
John Forrest
Premier Inn COO
“We have a great product,
but its our people that
make it world class”
Welcome to Premier Inn’s Career
Guide. This guide is designed to tell
you everything about the great career
opportunities we have and how
working at Premier Inn and Whitbread
can benefit you. We are the largest
hotel brand in the UK and we are still
growing. Our growth is made possible
by our people, they deliver world class
experiences to our millions of guests
every year, ensuring they keep returning
night after night. So at Premier Inn we
put our teams at the heart of everything
we do; we invest in all our people’s
personal growth as individuals; we offer
qualifications to all our people; we have
desirable career opportunities for all;
we pride ourselves on promoting from
within; we listen and involve our teams
in decision making and we offer industry
competitive reward ‘deals’ for all.
This guide will tell you about the kind
of jobs we have in Premier Inn and the
people in these roles will tell you what
it is like to work here. Whatever role
you are looking for, this isn’t just a job, by
helping you to reach your full potential,
this is the start of your career.
What we
do for you…
Since 2008 Premier Inn UK has offered nationally
recognised qualifications that you can achieve
whilst you work, so you can earn whilst you learn.
GetEarning,
,
g
in
rn
a
e
L
t
e
G
.
d
e
i
f
i
l
a
u
Q
Get
1 Million
hours a year are spent
training our employees
4103
people will go through one of
our 6 management development
programmes in the next 5 years
3000
is the number of nationally
recognised qualifications
achieved since 2008
Your Premier Inn
•••••••••• TEAM •••••••••• ••••••••••
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Shooting Stars Bronze/Steel
Advanced Ap
Hospitality &
Shooting Stars
food and
beverage
manager
Work
Experience
Team
Member
team
leader
Career Journey
•••••••• MANAGEMENT •••••••••••••••••
Higher Apprenticeship in
Hospitality Management
Shooting Stars Gold
pprenticeship in
& Supervision
s Silver/Graphite
operations
manager
New Site
Opening
General
Manager
Cluster
General
Manager
Regional
Operations
Manager
Work Experience
“Work experience at Premier Inn gave
me a great insight into the industry I
want to be a part of in my future”
What’s it all about?
Our Get Into – Work Inspiration programme gives you the opportunity
to gain an insight into our world of managing and leading hotel
businesses. The programme is aimed at 15 year olds who are looking
for a week or 2 weeks work experience programme. Our unique
programme gives you the opportunity to tailor make what and how you
learn from your programme, putting you in the driving seat!
What will I learn?
We will give you the opportunity to gain an insight into the world of
management, to give you some examples of the modules on offer, you
could choose to gain an insight into Measuring Business Performance,
Recruitment, Increasing Sales, Stock Management, Engaging a Team,
Merchandising, to name a few.You will also choose the pace and complexity
of learning you would like to gain from your programme and each module
gives you an opportunity to get involved in running the business.
Want to find out more?
Have a look on our partners B-Live (www.b-live.com) website for
further information, and to apply, or call into your nearest Premier Inn in
your area for further information.
GET INTO W
O
INSPIRATION
K
Layla Shauaibu
Work Experience
My knowledge of
Premier Inn and working
within hospitality has
grown and I am still
learning more and
more each day.
Team Member
“Working as a Team Member at
Premier Inn allows me to be a
part of something special, but
also to be myself”
What’s it all about?
Our team members may do different jobs within Premier Inn but
they all work towards the same goal… to provide friendly,
down-to-earth, famously excellent service. Whether it be within
our Reception, Housekeeping, Restaurant or Kitchen teams, you’ll
understand the vital role you play and feel valued for it.
What will I learn?
You will learn what it means to give great service to all of our guests.
We’ll help you with the skills and rely on your great personality to make
each guest feel special. We’ll dedicate time to train you and support you
along your journey and encourage you to work in other departments to
learn even more.Your development never stops with us and you’ll learn
from the best in the business.
Want to find out more?
If you’re over 18, really care about guest service, have drive and
enthusiasm to succeed as well as the desire to be part of an incredible
team environment, visit our website www.whitbread.co.uk/careers for
more information.
Francesca Higgs
Team Member
Standards are so high in
everything we do and a
real love for the brand
makes it easy to sell.
YOU CAN
ACHIEVE
An Inte
rmediate
Apprentice
ship
WHILST
WORKIN
G
AS A TEA
M MEMB
ER
Team Leader
“Working as a Team Leader
in Premier Inn allowed me to
take on more responsibility
and make a difference”
What’s it all about?
In all departments within each Premier Inn, there is a dedicated Team Leader.
They are responsible for ensuring the team deliver the best service and
experience for all of our guests.They manage and motivate our teams and
ultimately have a huge impact in the running of the day to day business.
What will I learn?
As a first step in management within Premier Inn, we’ll focus on developing
your management style and skills.We’ll teach you what you need to know
to assist with the running of a small team and support the financial elements
of departmental management.You’ll enhance your guest service skills and be
on your way to become a great leader.
Want to find out more?
If you’re a genuine, passionate and results driven individual who has the
ability to inspire and motivate those around you, then you could be
a Premier Inn Team Leader .Visit our website www.whitbread.co.uk/
careers for more information.
Yvonne Yau
Team Leader
I get to work in
an environment
where everyone is
so passionate and
engaged in what they
do which makes my
job even better.
WHILST
WORKIN
G AS A
TEAM LE
ADER YO
U
CAN ATT
END OUR
SHOOTI
NG S
MANAGE TARS
ME
DEVELOP NT
MENT
COURSE
Food & Beverage
Manager
“Working as a Food & Beverage
Manager in Premier Inn enables
me to use my passion to serve the
best products every single day”
What’s it all about?
As a Food & Beverage Manager, you will be responsible for delivering
great value food & drinks served by people that really care. An eye for
detail and the ability to drive your team to deliver perfection is vital.
Team recruitment, training, guest standards, sales and cost control are all
parts of the role so no day is ever the same!
What will I learn?
As a member of our management team, we’ll ensure you fully
understand the food & beverage elements of our business. We’ll teach
you our methods to ensure consistency and high quality products which
makes us a legendary brand. Leading a team is a huge part of this role
and we’ll build on the foundations you already have to keep enhancing
the skills and behaviours you’ll need to succeed.
Want to find out more?
If you’re a hands on, guest focussed people person, with a passion for
food and hospitality, this could be the job for you.Visit our website
www.whitbread.co.uk/careers for more information.
Rakesh Mistry
Food & Beverage
Manager
Coming to work puts
a smile on my face
and I look forward
to it. Basically, I
get paid to do
something I love.
WHILST
WORKIN
G AS A
FOOD A
ND BEVE
MANAGE
RAGE
RY
TOWARDS OU CAN WORK
An
ApprenticeAdvanced
ship in
Hospitality
& Super
AS PART
vision
OF YO
SHOOTIN UR SILVER
G ST
PROGRA ARS
MME
Operations
Manager
“Working as an Operations Manager
in Premier Inn enables me to play
a crucial role in a business with the
support from a winning company”
What’s it all about?
Every Premier Inn has an Operations Manager who oversees the
management and leadership of the whole business and team. As an
Operations Manager you will play a part in defining the business plan and
ensuring it is delivered.You will also play a critical role ensuring every
member of the team is engaged to help achieve the business targets.
What will I learn?
As an Operations Manager, you will report into a Cluster General
Manager who is committed to your continual development. We’ll teach
you all aspects of the business and a higher level of leadership and people
management skills. It’s much more about self awareness and you identifying
what talents you want to enhance to drive your own progression.
Want to find out more?
If you are a decisive, tenacious, results driven individual who can provide a
clear direction and purpose for others, then this could be the job for you!
You’ll need outstanding communication and time management skills, the
ability to prioritise and adapt and ultimately be the best role model for your
team.Visit our website www.whitbread.co.uk/careers for more information.
Renee Dibiase
Operations Manager
I get on great with
colleagues and have
achieved an ambition
I have had since I
was 19 years old– to
manage a hotel.
WHILST
WORKIN
OPERATIO G AS A
YOU CAN NS MANAGER
WO
YOUR GO RK TOWARDS
STARS PR LD SHOOTING
OGRAMM
E
Higher
ApprenticeAND A
ship
in Hosp
itality
Management
New Opening
General Manager
“Working as a New Opening General Manager in
Premier Inn gives me an opportunity to open a brand
new business and enable the company to grow”
What’s it all about?
When we open a brand new hotel, we appoint a New Opening General
Manager to ensure the business is set up for success, established within
the community and is delivering its results in both high standards and
profitability. The ability to be able to recruit, implement and drive a
brand new team to high performance levels quickly is crucial .This role
is typically for the first 12 months of the business opening it’s doors,
after which endless opportunities await.
What will I learn?
Being a New Opening General Manager involves project management,
fantastic communication skills and a great ability to work under pressure
and to tight deadlines. We will provide you with the training and
development to harness these transferable talents. Leadership is at the
forefront of this role and the ability to engage people quickly so we will
dedicate time to build on the skills you already have.
Want to find out more?
If you are a committed, hard working and results driven individual, then
this could be the job for you! You’ll need to fast thinking, adaptable and
ready for anything.Visit our website www.whitbread.co.uk/careers for
more information.
Luke Pearl
New Opening
General Manager
The efforts I make every
day make a difference
to both my guests
and team which is an
amazing feeling.
Cluster General
Manager
“Working as a Cluster General Manager
in Premier Inn allows me to manage
multiple sites and diverse businesses”
What’s it all about?
Cluster General Managers have accountability of 2-8 Premier Inn hotels
across a market place. In essence, it’s like leading and managing a 500 bedroom
hotel across different buildings in a geographical location.The role is to lead
and inspire the teams in each site in order to deliver exceptional guest
experiences, drive employee engagement and to create and deliver business
plans.They are accountable for maximising the performance of Premier Inn in
their market place by working closely with central support teams.
What will I learn?
Being a Cluster General Manager involves being a strong, articulate
communicator, able to personally impact others using a high levels of
energy and enthusiasm.You’ll need to be the inspiration that makes
your teams the best they can be, so having incredible leadership and
engagement skills is vital but we’ll help you build these skills.
Want to find out more?
If you’re a self motivated, guiding and influential individual then this
might be the job for you! You’ll need to be proactive, challenging and
possess the highest expectations of standards possible. If you are
ready to take on this responsibility then visit our website
www.whitbread.co.uk/careers for more information.
Kate Bond
Cluster General
Manager
Premier Inn provides the
seeds to develop but I
provide the water. If you
want it, they’ll give you the
chance to do it. It’s a very
inspirational place to be.
Regional Operations
Manager
“Working as a Regional Operations Manager in
Premier Inn is about developing and shaping
the people and future of the company”
What’s it all about?
Regional Operations Managers lead between 6-15 Cluster General
Managers and are accountable for between 25-100 hotels each.
The role is to drive and improve the profitability, guest measures and
team engagement of their region as a whole. The role is varied and
responsibilities diverse.
What will I learn?
As a Regional Operations Manager, your leadership skills and behaviours
are exemplary.You will be an expert at leading people, leading your
region’s growth and profitability as well as having a thorough knowledge
of the market places in your region and the competition. Being a
strategic and commercial thinker along with your passion, drive and
determination is key.
Want to find out more?
If you have an extensive multi site management background, great at goal
setting, excellent at providing advice and feedback, then this could be
the job for you! You’ll be a proven mentor, be encouraging, motivating
and challenging.You must constantly be open to learning and need to
be very knowledgeable about the overall market place and competition.
Your personal qualities will focus on an ability to set excellent leadership
examples and being able to pass them on.Visit our website www.
whitbread.co.uk/careers for more information.
Gareth Lock
Regional
Operations
Manager
I recruit people who
have the right attitudes,
behaviours and drive
that want to get ahead
in the future.
Apprentices
An Apprenticeship is a course of
learning, training and qualifications,
completed in the workplace that
provides the knowledge, skills and
competence needed to progress in
a chosen career or industry.
It allows you to have the best of
both worlds by gaining professional
experience and on the job training while
also studying for a formal qualification.
Apprenticeships are practical and skills
based but you also need to study the
theory that complements them and
complete coursework that is related to, and
ties in with your role. This allows you to draw
on what you have learnt and apply it as you go,
helping to embed your learning. Apprenticeships can
be demanding but they are very rewarding.
How do I p
ships
Kyle Dudley
Restaurant
Team Member
“It has really given
me self belief,
knowing I have
passed has given
me a real sense
of achievement”
Apprent
ice
of the Ye
ar
2011
progress?
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars
If you have a real passion to build a
career in the hospitality industry as a
Manager, this programme is for you.
It is designed to support progression
from Team Member or Team Leader
to your first management position. The
aim of the programme is to improve
commercial awareness, providing you
with the necessary skills and tools to
make sound commercial judgements in
your department and site.
The Shooting Stars Silver programme
is an exciting development opportunity
designed to support your continuous
progression within Premier Inn. The
overall aim of the programme is to
improve your commercial acumen
by providing you with the necessary
skills, tools and leadership behaviours
to prepare you for your next role
of Operations Manager or Food and
Beverage Manager.
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars
If you are a Kitchen Team
member and you have a drive to build
a career in the catering industry as a
Kitchen Team leader or Head Chef,
this programme is for you. The aim
of the programme is to develop your
technical skills and introduce you to
the management behaviours you will
need to lead a team.
The Shooting Stars Graphite
programme is a development
opportunity designed to support
your continuous progression within
Whitbread. The overall aim of the
programme is to improve your overall
business awareness by providing you
with the necessary skills, tools and
leadership behaviours to prepare you
to be a professional Kitchen Manager.
bronze
steel
silver
graphite
How do I p
Management Development
Programmes
Shooting Stars
gold
The Shooting Stars Gold programme is a fantastic opportunity to continue your
management journey designed to support your continuous progression within
Premier Inn. The overall aim of the programme is to improve your commercial
management and provide you with the necessary tools, experience and
leadership behaviours to be an inspirational New Site Opening General Manager.
Shooting
Stars
progress?
Team Benefits
2 8 days holiday allowance
F antastic pensions with employer contribution
S haresave (save as you earn)
P
rivilege card – save 25% at all Whitbread brands
Y
our Benefits website – huge discounts at major retailers
G
ive & match payroll scheme
Raise & match fundraising scheme
Operations Manager and Food
& Beverage Manager Benefits
p to 50% of salary bonus scheme
U
2 5 days holiday allowance
F antastic pensions with employer contribution
Sharesave (save as you earn)
P
rivilege card – save 25% at all Whitbread brands
Y
our Benefits website – huge discounts at major retailers
G
ive & match payroll scheme
R
aise & match fundraising scheme
L oyalty recognition
WHAT’S IN
Cluster General Manager &
New Site Opening General
Manager Benefits
U
p to 100% of salary bonus scheme
2 5 days holiday allowance
B
UPA cover
F antastic pensions with employer contribution
S haresave (save as you earn)
P
rivilege card – save 25% at all Whitbread brands
Y
our Benefits website – huge discounts at major retailers
G
ive & match payroll scheme
R
aise & match fundraising scheme
L oyalty recognition
C
ompany car (if business need)
IT FOR ME?
If you can see yourself working with us we
would love to hear from you.
Find out more about our current vacancies
and read more about our teams at
www.whitbread.co.uk/careers
www.facebook.com/WhitbreadHotelsRestaurants.Careers