Validation Operations Manager

VALIDATION (New Brands) OPERATIONS MANAGER
London based - with field based duties
£45k + Bonus + Share Options

WHO ARE SESSIONS?
A growth platform for original food brands & experiences.

Creators in food.
Challengers in brand development.
Leaders in licensing.
Disruptors in franchise.
Originals, in everything.

Founded in 2020, we're on a mission to bring nonstop originality to food lovers across the UK. Our diverse brand portfolio features beloved names like SoBe Burger, Little Bao Boy, and Rudis. We also collaborate with major brands, including Netflix, to create unique food experiences-most recently, bringing Squid Game to life with our Korean Chicken Burgers.

Sessions has launched and scaled 11 food brands, partnered with 300+ licensee kitchens, and delivered over 3 million orders. We're reinventing food.

Our team is led by former executives from Deliveroo, Brewdog, and Soho House, with backing from industry leaders Imbiba and Guinness Ventures.

We are Agile - Customer-obsessed, adapting quickly to meet their needs
We are Ambitious - We create on-trend brands and aim to be tastemakers
We are Fun - Playfulness is at the heart of our culture
We are Data-Driven - We challenge assumptions and focus on insights

THE ROLE

As the Validation Operations Manager at Sessions, you will play a crucial role within the team responsible for identifying and launching new brands within our portfolio. You'll guide them through the critical first phase-rolling out to their first 10 sites-before data determines their potential to scale nationwide as part of our Core estate.

Working closely with our Head of Partnerships and Chief of Staff, you will oversee launch prep and execution for each brand entering validation and ensure continuous success thereafter. From site launch to performance monitoring, you'll ensure every operational detail is planned and executed to maximize each brand's chance of success.

Your responsibilities will include preparing and training validation sites alongside monitoring performance and continually improving operations to maintain brand standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Host Operators Support & Relationship Management:
- Identify the right sites for validation, ensuring they have the right kitchen set up.
- Ensure hosts have everything they need ahead of launch including ingredients.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with hosts and their managers, serving as the primary point of contact for operational support, guidance, and issue resolution.
- Conduct regular visits to host locations to assess operational performance, provide feedback, and offer assistance in areas of improvement.
- Attend host site to train the team on how to successfully run the brand that will be launching in their site.
- Help to ensure success of new brand launches into sites.

Operational Excellence:
- Ensure hosts adhere to company standards and operating procedures, including quality control, customer service, cleanliness, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Implement strategies to optimize operational efficiency such as labor management, streamline processes, and enhance overall performance of host locations.

Performance:
- Monitor financial performance and all success metrics of host locations, analyzing key metrics such as GMV, Reviews, and Delivery Platform metrics.
- Work collaboratively with hosts to develop and implement strategies to maximize revenue, control costs, and achieve financial targets and brand standards.

️Collaboration:

- Work closely with our Studio (Culinary Development) in an effort to make the execution of the validation brands a success. This will include receiving operational documentation to prepare sites for launch and implementing a clear feedback mechanism to tweak culinary/operational processes of the validation brands.
- Collaborate with various departments within the 'Licensing' sector of Sessions such as Partner Success and Sales, to optimize resource allocation.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Senior management experience within QSR, Food Delivery or Hospitality.
Culinary experience, comfortable preparing food within a professional kitchen.
Willingness to travel extensively to visit host locations and attend meetings and conferences as needed but ability to be regularly in the London office.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and effectively resolve conflicts.
Highly organized with a strength in process and procedures.
Ambitious with a drive to join a fast-paced, high-growth company.
Strong ability to showcase Project Management experience.
Delivery platform experience preferred but not essential.
Analytical mindset with a strong understanding of financial management and business metrics.
Charismatic and energetic with a passion for food.
Expert level of English language.
Right to Work in the UK.

BENEFITS
Financial Wellbeing

Bonus Scheme - Bi-annual OKR based Bonus Scheme.
Payday on Demand - Get paid for days worked whenever suits you.
Expense Card - Get a company card so you're never left out of pocket.

Social, Mental & Physical Wellbeing

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays - freedom to switch bank holidays
️Healthcare Cash Plan - 24/7 GP services & medical reimbursements.
Volunteering Day - A paid day to support a charity.
Employee Assistance Programme - Support for health, finance, and legal matters.
Socials - Weekly team activities, from sports days to movie nights.
Dog-Friendly Office - We love your furry friends!
Wear What You Like - Express yourself, no suits required.

Technology Perks

Laptop - Choose between Apple Mac or Windows.
Company Phone - Apple iPhone and SIM (where needed).

Progression & Development

High Growth Start-Up - Be part of an exciting, fast-scaling company.
Management & Leadership Training - Regular sessions to level up your skills.
Be Inspired - Work alongside industry legends from Deliveroo, Brewdog & Soho House.
️Professional Development Support - We fund work-based qualifications and memberships.

Join us as we change the face of hospitality.

Sessions is a Living Wage & Equal Opportunity Employer. We review applications anonymously-hiring based on experience and skills alone. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background, gender, neurodiversity, or any other factor.