Part-time Flexible Operations Director | Hospitality Consultant Support for SMEs

As a Hospitality Consultant there are numerous ways Laura Anne Harvey can support your SME, but in this blog we’re going to look specifically at Operations.

Like why your restaurant, bar, hotel or takeaway business might need an Operations Director? And how having one on a part-time basis can help you to grow, make savings and increase profits.

Laura Anne Hospitality Consultant

When using Laura’s flexible operations support, she will see herself as part of your team, not just an external consultant!

What does a part-time Operations Director do?

Bringing an Operations Director into your business will mean you gain the expertise of a specialist who can support with decisions and implementation of best practices, as well as someone who can use their experience to fill skills gaps.

Roles that a part-time Operations Director in your hospitality business can support with include, but are not limited to:

·   Assisting upper management in setting goals that promote company growth

·   Preparing budgets, schedules and other organisational reports as needed

·   Advice and guidance to employees

·   Developing plans to increase efficiency and reduce costs

·   Improving existing systems and policies

·   Promoting and enforcing safety in the workplace

·   Managing stock and inventory

·   Working closely with all departments to ensure clear communication across all functions

·   Identifying improvement areas and implementing systems to boost company effectiveness

·   Managing internal and external service suppliers to ensure best pricing and products

·   Executing plans designed to meet company goals by changing policies and coaching employees and company directors

·   Management of the Epos software and utilising reporting functions to help you increase turnover

·   Client relationship management with suppliers and potential events customers

·   Reporting to company director on how the business is performing in terms of financial targets, and other agreed targets

·   Supporting company directors with business strategy and business development

·   Marketing strategy and suggested activities

·   KPI Implementation and management

·   Carrying out site audits to support management, ensure compliance and focus on growth

·   Be pro-active with business development ideas and putting a strategy in place to execute ideas.

How much does it cost to employ someone into a flexible Operations Director role?

To take Laura on as a part-time Hospitality Consultant in an Operations Director role the amount will depend on the number of hours you wish to commit to. The contract between your business and ours agrees a minimum of six hours per week, for at least three months, going to a three month rolling contract after that period if you choose to renew.

To best support the unique needs of your business hours can be used on an ad hoc basis or in a block booking as agreed by both parties.

And how would it work?

Most businesses that take Laura on as a freelance Operations Director prefer to use their agreed hours on set days, while some split the hours across two days.

If site visits are required this can easily be arranged within the agreed hours, or additionally on an ad hoc basis.

What can I expect from taking on a part-time Operations Director | Hospitality Consultant?

There’s real value to be had from taking on a specialist on a part-time basis for your hospitality business. Namely:

·      The growth of your business, whether corporate or franchise

·      Recruitment – hiring and retaining the right staff

·      Successfully finding, securing and opening new sites

·      Supporting you to franchise (see more about this below)

·      Auditing – having someone come into your business with fresh eyes to see where improvements and savings can be made

·      Extension of your team – having the support of someone who will really get to know your business, guide it in the right direction, champion its offering and share in its success.              

What are the benefits of employing a part-time Operations Director over a full-time Operations Director?

An Operations Director, Head of Operations or Chief Operating Officer (COO), has varying roles dependent on the nature of the business they are working in. But generally their mission is to evaluate how the business operates, reduce costs, increase revenue and oversee operational aspects of the business strategy.

There are a number of benefits to hiring a freelance Operations Director over a full-timer:

• They’re great for growing companies who can’t commit to a full-time, head office resource

• They will be flexible around the needs of your business – which is particularly well suited to hospitality where many businesses have busier/quieter periods

• You won’t need to consider the additional costs of National Insurance, a pension scheme or employee tax contributions

• There is no long-term commitment. So should you need someone only on a short-term basis, that’s exactly the timeframe you pay for.

• Work can be carried out remotely (saving on travel costs) or on-site, or a hybrid approach can apply

What’s more, this option allows you to think of your Operations Director as being part of your team in the same way your company might use a Virtual Assistant or PA to support your business. You can outsource your operations, business development and marketing responsibilities to someone you know and trust, but in a more cost-effective and specialised way than taking on a full-timer.

What qualifies Laura Harvey to support your hospitality SME?

Laura has more than 15 years experience backed by relevant qualifications, first-hand knowledge and a long-standing appointment as Operations & Marketing Director with an international food group.

She is a Member of the Institute of Hospitality, an accredited CPD member, and a Business Mentor for Manchester University Growth Hub.

Laura’s experience and demonstrable results are found across hospitality businesses, including QSR, casual dining, full service restaurants, and accommodation.

What if I need more targeted support for my hospitality business?

Should you need more strategic support for your business, rather than operational support, Laura can step in as a Non Executive Director (NED); advising on strategy for one day a month as a board member, but not undertaking management roles.

Or if I need support specifically with franchising my hospitality business?

Laura is an experienced franchise operator and can support franchisors with all aspects of franchising; from site audits within their existing franchise sites to starting a hospitality franchise from scratch.

A word from Laura Anne Harvey…

“I revel in a new opportunity to support a hospitality business with its operations. Each is unique and I love the challenge of bringing my skills to the table to improve performance, help with profit and loss management, and look at opportunities to create long-term growth.

“I can help with all operational tasks, from how to cost your food menu to implementing a stock system; forecasting for your restaurant to training for your staff.

“So if you’re looking to increase your profits and need help forecasting and setting targets, then I’d love to work in your business.”

And a few reviews from Laura Anne Hospitality Consultant Ltd’s clients…

“Her strong management and operational skills have transformed the working culture and been a driving force in the company’s success.”

“Not only was Laura’s business knowledge second to none, she was also a pleasure to be around. We just wish we could have her as an Operations Director forever.”

“Any concerns I had about spending money on business advice disappeared after the first consultation. The work Laura put into our operations and the sales growth she helped to achieve have more than paid for themselves.”

“It was clear from day one that Laura really understood operations within the hospitality sector and through our time spent together she was able to guide me and even push me further than I had expected to achieve goals and targets which we set together.”

Get in touch with Laura for a chat about how she can support your hospitality business on a part-time basis; follow her on Instagram for updates; and subscribe to her mailing list for news and tips.