Who we are looking for Head of conference & events catering
The head of conference & events is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for the strategic planning, commercial performance, and flawless delivery of all conference and events catering operations. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the guest experience, driving operational excellence, and delivering strong commercial results across a diverse and high-profile events portfolio.
Reporting directly to the food & beverage director, the role has significant influence across operations, people leadership, and commercial performance.
A flavour of the day-to-day Strategic leadership Develop and deliver the conference & events catering strategy in line with wider business objectives
Identify and implement innovative approaches to event catering and guest experience
Continuously review operational models to improve efficiency, consistency, and performance
Team leadership and culture Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing conference & events catering team
Create a culture of service excellence, accountability, and respect
Conduct regular 1:1s, team meetings, and business reviews
Provide clear direction, coaching, and structured development pathways
Financial and commercial management Manage departmental budgets including forecasting, cost control, and reporting
Oversee non-F&B purchasing in line with budgets and supplier agreements
Maximise labour productivity through effective workforce planning and forecasting
Monitor gross profit, cash handling, and stock control
Ensure accurate and timely client billing in collaboration with internal teams and third-party suppliers
Sales and commercial collaboration Work closely with internal sales teams to support catering-led sales strategies for conferences and events
Contribute to menus, proposals, and commercial offerings
Event delivery Oversee end-to-end event delivery, from planning and setup through to execution and breakdown
Liaise with logistics and operational teams to ensure seamless delivery
Undertake duty management and operational shifts as required
Systems and technology Act as a super-user for till systems and back-of-house conference & events functionality
Ensure compliance with workforce management systems for scheduling, approvals, and payroll accuracy
Quality, compliance and standards Monitor service delivery against agreed standards and SLAs
Ensure compliance with company policies, licensing laws, Trading Standards, and EHO regulations
Training and development Work with the people team to deliver a robust training and development framework
Ensure all statutory and bespoke training is completed and recorded
Client and stakeholder management Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders
Act as the primary point of contact for client queries, ensuring service delivery exceeds expectations
Skills and experience Essential Significant senior experience leading conference & events catering operations within a large venue or multi-site environment
Proven ability to lead and manage large teams through strong leadership behaviours, coaching, and structured communication
Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, labour efficiency, and operational performance
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments
Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-focused
Desirable Personal licence holder
Experience delivering large-scale or VIP events (500+ guests) from concept through to delivery and evaluation
Whats in it for you Competitive salary
Staff meals
Personal training and development opportunities
Exposure across the wider business
Sick pay
TPBN1_UKCT