Ellie's Journey: From Pub to Head Office at Greene King

At Greene King, you can unlock countless opportunities for career development, growth and learning. And one of our colleagues, Ellie, is a true testament to this. 

We recently caught up with Ellie to learn more about her inspiring career journey, where she started as a team member at the Wacky Warehouse and dived headfirst into the world of hospitality. 

Can you tell us about your career at Greene King so far?

Team Member 

“I joined Greene King back in 2014, stepping into the lively Wacky Warehouse at The Quays as a Team Member. It was an incredible first job, a place where I learned the ropes while having an absolute blast!”

Team Leader

“After that, I moved on to Hungry Horse at the Needle and Awl, where I served as a front-of-house team member, gradually working my way up to becoming a Team Leader, gaining valuable pub and bar skills along the way.”

Flexible working hours as a student 

“Whilst I pursued my degree, I loved that Greene King stood by me, offering the flexibility to come back and work during holidays, helping me earn that extra bit of cash.”

Moving from a Pub job to a Head Office job 

“As graduation approached, I found myself yearning for something more in my career. That's when I started exploring the office side of things, blending my love for hospitality with the knowledge I gained during my degree.

I knew I wanted to stay on with Greene King as I loved the company's values and the great benefits that come with it. I also was confident in the progression opportunities that Greene King had to offer.” 

Secondment opportunity 

“A pivotal moment came with a 6-month secondment in Ops Comms, my first taste of the office environment. I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to stay. And this is when I discovered my passion for Learning and Development (L&D).”

Learning and Development Coordinator 

“Between COVID and juggling maternity leave, I landed a role as a Learning and Development Coordinator in 2020.”

Learning Content Advisor 

“After 2 years in this role, I progressed to my current role as Learning Content Advisor in the Digital Design team!”

How did your managers and team help you make the move from a Pub job to Head Office?

“My managers were my cheerleaders, always encouraging me to take that leap because they recognised the untapped potential I had for the office. 

They ensured I acquired the essential skills and knowledge during my time in the pub which set me up to be a valuable asset in the office.

I have always received ongoing support from all of my line managers at Greene King. The wider team are also super approachable and always on hand to help me out and answer any queries.” 

Everyone, from team members to managers, is not only encouraged but celebrated for their journey of learning. Greene King is a place where curiosity is welcomed, new ideas are embraced, and everyone is empowered to upskill. 

We invest in our people, providing a lot of different opportunities for training and continuous learning.

What are the top 3 things you enjoy most about your job at Greene King?

• “The people – everyone is so passionate about their roles and determined to make a change.
• Getting the chance to be part of changing people’s mindset about our learning on TAP.
• Being given the opportunities to develop yourself within the role and learn new things.” 

At Greene King, we are all about passion, teamwork and pouring happiness into lives. 

Picture a place where your ideas matter, and you're cheered on to grow both professionally and personally. We also understand that life outside of work is important too, so we've got your back on that. 

Working here isn't just a job, it's about being a part of something bigger, where you can be yourself and truly make a difference. 

Find your own unique career path at Greene King 

When we asked Ellie one word to describe she said ‘Motivating!’ 

Greene King isn't just a place to work; it's a place for growth, learning, and making a meaningful impact. 

Ellie's inspiring journey—from a pub job to a fulfilling role at Greene King's head office—shows how all of our colleagues can take their careers in whatever direction they dream of.

Whether you're drawn to the lively ambience of the pub or a head office job, explore career opportunities at Greene King.