Senior Leaders Course

By Jon Saunders

£ Price Free

Delivery type In-person class

Capacity 15 Students

Level Intermediate

Duration 10 Weeks

Lessons 10

Empower Your General Managers to Lead with Impact: Crack On Coaching’s GM Development Programme

In the fast-paced hospitality and leisure sector, General Managers (GMs) are the linchpin of success, balancing operational precision with the human touch that defines exceptional guest experiences. Yet, the demands are unrelenting: driving revenue metrics like RevPAR and GOPPAR, navigating labour shortages (with turnover rates often exceeding 30%), fostering team morale in high-pressure environments, and aligning daily operations with strategic goals like sustainability and digital innovation. The challenge? Many GMs excel at running venues but struggle to inspire, coach, and grow self-sufficient teams that deliver consistent results. This gap can create silos, stifle engagement, and erode profitability.

At Crack On Coaching, we understand that great GMs don’t just manage operations—they shape cultures, develop leaders, and drive performance that resonates across the organisation. Our General Manager Development Programme, built on the proven DEVELOP Pathway, transforms operational experts into visionary leaders who foster cohesive, high-performing teams. Led by Jon Saunders, a hospitality veteran with over 20 years of senior leadership experience, this programme has empowered GMs at industry giants like GAUCHO, Punch Pubs, Wells & Co, Avani Solutions, Bear Inns, Circe Rooftop, Brakspear, Cleverchefs, Cobbles, Polaris Elements, and more, delivering measurable outcomes: 15-20% revenue uplifts, 40% reductions in staff turnover, and enhanced Net Promoter Scores (NPS).

Why Choose Crack On Coaching?

Our programme is not a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s a bespoke, hospitality-focused journey designed to address the unique challenges GMs face in hotels, pubs, restaurants, and leisure venues. Here’s what sets us apart:

Hospitality Expertise: 100% tailored to the sector, with content vetted by leading operators like Punch Pubs and Brakspear, ensuring relevance to your daily realities.
Jon Saunders’ Proven Track Record: With ILM accreditation and a history of boosting EBITDA by 25% and slashing attrition, Jon brings unmatched insights from his work with top-tier clients.
Measurable ROI: 85% of alumni report quantifiable wins within 90 days, from improved guest satisfaction to streamlined labour costs.
In-Person Immersion: Delivered offline in premium London and Manchester venues, our small cohorts (max 12) foster deep learning and networking.
Sustained Support: Lifetime access to an alumni portal, quarterly masterminds, and post-programme coaching ensure lasting impact.
Ethical Leadership Focus: Aligned with British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and Hospitality Sector Council standards, emphasizing diversity, equity, and sustainability.

Programme Overview: General Manager Development

Designed For: General Managers in hospitality and leisure ready to shift from operational oversight to inspirational leadership, coaching their teams to deliver exceptional results.

Programme Objective: Transform GMs into leaders who grow other leaders, fostering self-sufficient teams, driving financial performance, and embedding a positive, cohesive culture that aligns with organisational goals.

Format and Duration: This offline, in-person programme spans three full-day workshops over six weeks, held in central London or Manchester. Limited to 12 participants, it combines Jon’s expert facilitation, venue-specific simulations, and peer networking (including informal dinners and venue tours) for ILM-accredited CPD (up to 21 hours).

The DEVELOP Pathway: Your Blueprint for Leadership Excellence

Our battle-tested DEVELOP Pathway, refined through Jon’s work with clients like Wells & Co and Cleverchefs, equips GMs with practical tools to lead with impact. Each pillar is explored through immersive workshops, real-world case studies, and actionable resources:

D – Define the Standard: Set a clear tone for culture, expectations, and service excellence. Learn to craft a venue-specific vision that inspires staff and delights guests, reducing cultural silos by 30% (as seen with Bear Inns GMs).
E – Empower Your Deputies: Master delegation and coaching to upskill assistant managers and department heads. Use scalable one-to-one frameworks and accountability tools to drive ownership, as demonstrated in Avani Solutions’ 20% productivity boost.
V – Vision into Action: Translate organisational strategies (e.g., sustainability goals or digital adoption) into daily leadership actions. Align teams with OKRs to enhance metrics like table turnover and guest retention.
E – Elevate Team Thinking: Foster a growth mindset through reflective practices and long-term planning. Equip your team to think strategically, reducing reactive firefighting and boosting engagement scores by 15% (a Polaris Elements success).
L – Lead the Business: Deep-dive into financials—RevPAR, labour cost ratios, and waste metrics—using dashboards (Excel/Tableau) to drive performance. Learn from Jon’s 25% EBITDA uplift at a Brakspear venue.
O – Optimise Operations: Shift from ‘busier’ to ‘better’ with lean operational strategies. Streamline shift planning and guest journey mapping to cut costs and elevate experiences, as seen at Circe Rooftop.
P – People First Always: Prioritize talent development with succession plans and personalized IDPs. Reduce turnover (a 40% drop at Punch Pubs) by fostering a culture of trust and growth.

Tangible Outcomes

Graduates emerge as GMs who don’t just manage venues but build self-sufficient teams that deliver consistent results. Expect:

Financial Impact: 15-20% uplifts in revenue metrics (e.g., RevPAX, GOPPAR) through optimized operations and guest-centric strategies.
Team Retention: 20-40% reductions in staff turnover by embedding coaching and engagement practices.
Guest Satisfaction: Enhanced NPS and online review scores through cohesive, motivated teams.
Leadership Pipeline: Stronger succession plans, with 80% of GMs reporting faster deputy promotions post-programme.

What’s Included

Core Toolkit: Business planning templates, people review frameworks, and financial dashboards for metrics like labour costs and guest spend.
Experiential Learning: Real-world simulations (e.g., navigating a staffing crisis) and guest speaker sessions with industry trailblazers.
Ongoing Support: Six months of digital resources (podcasts, webinars), two post-programme coaching calls, and lifetime alumni portal access.
Certification: ILM-endorsed certificate to boost your professional profile.

Course Preview Excerpt: A Glimpse into the DEVELOP Pathway

Step into the ‘People First Always’ module: “Imagine a 25% staff shortage threatening your peak weekend service. In this hands-on session, you’ll use a custom talent matrix to identify high-potential team members, deploy a rapid upskilling plan, and craft retention strategies that cut turnover by 30%. Drawing from Jon’s success at GAUCHO, where a GM’s coaching framework boosted team NPS by 20 points, you’ll learn to embed one-to-ones and IDPs that keep talent thriving. Leave with a ‘People First Playbook’ to sustain a culture where staff stay and guests return.”

Join Us in 2026

Running quarterly from Q1 2026 in central London and Manchester, spaces are limited—previous cohorts included GMs from 15+ leading groups. Invest in leadership that transforms your venue and your career.

Contact Jon Saunders today at jon@crackonleadership.com or call 07738 359904 to discuss tailoring this programme for your GMs and secure your place. Let’s crack on and build leaders who inspire success!

Features

Immersive Offline Delivery: Three full-day workshops in premium London and Manchester venues, capped at 12 participants for personalized coaching, peer networking, and venue tours.
DEVELOP Pathway Framework: A seven-pillar model (Define, Empower, Vision, Elevate, Lead, Optimise, People) refined with clients like GAUCHO and Punch Pubs, delivering 15-20% KPI uplifts.
Expert Facilitation by Jon Saunders: Leverage Jon’s 20+ years of hospitality expertise, with successes at Wells & Co (25% EBITDA gains) and Brakspear (40% turnover reduction).
Practical Toolkits: Business planning templates, people review frameworks, and dashboards for metrics like labour costs, table turnover, and guest spend, built for Excel/Tableau.
Real-World Simulations: Venue-specific role-plays (e.g., resolving a staffing crisis) to master resilience and decision-making, as seen in Circe Rooftop’s recovery strategies.
Sustained Support Ecosystem: Lifetime alumni portal access, quarterly masterminds, and two post-programme coaching calls to embed learnings.
Networking Opportunities: Informal dinners and industry connections with peers from Avani Solutions, Bear Inns, and more, fostering lasting collaboration.
Financial Acumen Training: Deep-dive into venue-level financials (e.g., GOPPAR, waste metrics) to drive performance, mirroring Cleverchefs’ 15% cost savings.
Sustainability and Inclusion Focus: Strategies to integrate ESG principles and foster diverse, equitable teams, aligned with BII and Hospitality Sector Council standards.

Target audiences

General Managers (GMs): Managing single venues (e.g., hotels, gastropubs, or leisure facilities) and seeking to inspire teams, reduce turnover, and align with group-level strategies.
Venue Managers: Overseeing restaurants, bars, or entertainment venues, aiming to boost guest satisfaction (e.g., NPS) and operational efficiency through leadership excellence.
Operations Managers: Handling daily operations and transitioning to strategic roles that influence venue culture and financial performance (e.g., RevPAX, labour cost ratios).
Aspiring Regional Leaders: High-potential GMs preparing for multi-site oversight, eager to master coaching, delegation, and KPI-driven decision-making.
Franchise Operators: Leading branded or independent venues, needing tools to standardize excellence while fostering team engagement and guest loyalty.
Talent Developers: GMs committed to building succession pipelines, upskilling deputies, and reducing attrition in high-turnover environments.
Change Champions: Leaders navigating challenges like labour shortages, seasonal fluctuations, or ESG integration, with a focus on resilience and innovation.
Culture Builders: Professionals dedicated to creating cohesive, inclusive venue cultures that align with organisational values and drive 15-20% performance uplifts.
Multi-Department Overseers: Managers juggling FOH/BOH teams, seeking frameworks to streamline operations and elevate staff morale.
Guest Experience Advocates: GMs passionate about delivering memorable guest experiences through empowered, motivated teams.

Requirements

Current Role: Serve as a General Manager (GM) or equivalent (e.g., Venue Manager, Operations Manager) overseeing a single site or small portfolio (e.g., hotel, restaurant, pub, or leisure facility) with direct responsibility for operational and financial performance, including KPIs like RevPAR, GOPPAR, or guest satisfaction scores.
Industry Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years managing a hospitality or leisure venue, with proven skills in operations, team leadership, and guest experience delivery in high-pressure settings.
Leadership Aspiration: Eager to shift from operational management to inspirational leadership, focusing on coaching teams, building culture, and driving strategic alignment with organisational goals like sustainability or digital transformation.
Team Responsibility: Manage at least 5 direct reports (e.g., assistant managers, supervisors, or department heads) to apply programme tools like coaching frameworks, talent development plans, and performance dashboards effectively.
Commitment to Growth: Demonstrate a proactive mindset for personal and team development, with readiness to engage in reflective practice, peer collaboration, and hands-on application of learnings.
Time Availability: Commit to three full-day, in-person workshops over six weeks in central London or Manchester, plus time for pre- and post-session tasks (approximately 21 hours for ILM-accredited CPD).
Data Familiarity: Basic understanding of venue-level metrics (e.g., labour cost percentages, table turnover, or waste metrics) to leverage resources like Excel/Tableau dashboards and guest journey mapping tools.
Change Readiness: Prepared to address sector challenges, such as 30%+ staff turnover, economic volatility, or regulatory shifts, with a focus on building resilience and adaptive leadership.
Cultural Influence: Willingness to shape a positive, inclusive venue culture aligned with British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and Hospitality Sector Council standards, emphasizing diversity, equity, and guest-centricity.
Networking Mindset: Open to building industry connections through small-cohort (max 12) peer roundtables, informal networking dinners, and venue tours to share best practices.

Course Material

FAQs

Who is the General Manager Development Programme designed for?

This programme is for General Managers, Venue Managers, or Operations Managers in hospitality and leisure managing single sites (e.g., hotels, pubs, restaurants). Ideal candidates have 2-3 years of leadership experience and a desire to inspire teams, reduce turnover, and align with strategic goals.

How does this programme differ from other GM training courses?

Unlike generic courses, ours is 100% hospitality-focused, led by Jon Saunders, who’s delivered 25% EBITDA uplifts for GAUCHO and Punch Pubs. Our offline, small-cohort format offers tailored coaching, simulations, and tools like dashboards, achieving 85% of alumni reporting wins within 90 days.

What is the programme’s structure and time commitment?

Spanning three full-day workshops over six weeks in London or Manchester, the programme includes 21 hours of ILM-accredited CPD. With a maximum of 12 participants, it features hands-on sessions, peer roundtables, and reflective tasks for lasting impact.

What outcomes can I expect from the programme?

Expect 5-20% uplifts in revenue metrics (e.g., RevPAX), 10-40% reductions in staff turnover, and improved NPS through cohesive teams. Graduates, like those at Wells & Co, build stronger leadership pipelines and drive operational excellence.

How does the programme support ongoing development?

You’ll receive lifetime access to an alumni portal, quarterly mastermind sessions, six months of digital resources (podcasts, webinars), and two follow-up coaching calls to ensure sustained growth and application.

Can the programme be customized for my venue’s needs?

Yes, Jon Saunders tailors content to your venue’s challenges, whether optimizing labour costs, enhancing guest experiences, or integrating sustainability. Clients like Avani Solutions have seen bespoke strategies yield 15% efficiency gains.

How do I secure a spot in the programme?

With limited spaces, contact Jon Saunders at jon@crackonleadership.com or call 07738 359904 to discuss eligibility, explore Q1 2026 availability in London or Manchester, and reserve your place.

Is the programme aligned with industry standards?

Absolutely. It meets ILM, BII, and Hospitality Sector Council benchmarks, emphasizing ethical leadership, diversity, and ESG integration to future-proof your venue in a competitive sector.

What practical tools will I gain from the programme?

You’ll receive business planning templates, a 50+ question coaching library, and interactive dashboards for metrics like labour costs and guest spend. These tools, used by Brakspear GMs, drive measurable performance improvements. Contact Jon Saunders today at jon@crackonleadership.com or call 07738 359904 to discuss how this programme can transform your leadership and secure your spot for Q1 2026.

Instructor

Jon Saunders

1 Student

4 Courses

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