Job Description
About the Company
Are you an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments? We're looking for a dynamic Catering & Events Operations Manager to oversee all catering operations—including in‑house teams, third‑party concessions, race day mobilisation, events delivery and F&B performance—across a busy, multi‑venue leisure and events setting.
About the Role
This is a hands-on, strategic role leading large teams and high-profile events, with a focus on driving service standards, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences.
Responsibilities
* Deliver and execute the catering strategy across multiple venues.
* Lead and develop all catering teams on site, ensuring top-tier food and service quality.
* Plan and manage rotas, staffing levels and labour budgets for all events.
* Work closely with sales and business teams to plan catering for racing and non‑racing events.
* Take ownership of high-volume operations, delivering exceptional results for key clients.
* Manage variable labour and F&B cost controls across hospitality, retail, kitchens and bars.
* Support and develop team members through structured PDPs and regular reviews.
* Help shape a unified catering and events strategy that maximises revenue and commercial opportunities.
* Develop retail operations, brand presence and menu/offer across all venues.
* Collaborate with chefs, site leaders and support teams to deliver consistent F&B standards.
* Lead training initiatives focused on customer service, product knowledge and operational excellence.
* Support recruitment, reduce agency reliance and build a stable, engaged casual workforce.
* Maintain financial awareness, analyse reports and take action to improve performance.
* Ensure venues operate at the highest standard through daily checks and operational oversight.
* Coordinate all administrative, operational and planning tasks for race days and events.
Qualifications
* Essential: Minimum 5 years’ experience in large-scale leisure, sport or event environments (3,000+ guests).
* High-volume hospitality background—conferencing, banqueting, restaurants, hotels or stadium events.
* Strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
* Experience managing large teams and delivering multi‑site or multi‑faceted events.
* Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.
* Highly organised, process-driven, calm under pressure.
* Commercially astute with strong IT and business systems skills.
* Excellent decision-maker and people developer.
* Full UK driving licence.
Required Skills
* Strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
* Experience managing large teams and delivering multi‑site or multi‑faceted events.
* Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.
* Highly organised, process-driven, calm under pressure.
* Commercially astute with strong IT and business systems skills.
* Excellent decision-maker and people developer.
Preferred Skills
* Personal licence holder.
* Business/Event Management Degree.
* IOSH Managing Safely.
* GCSEs in Maths & English (C or above).
Pay range and compensation package
Hours: Flexible to meet the needs of events, including evenings and weekends. Time off in lieu is provided.
Equal Opportunity Statement
What success looks like: Strong control of labour budgets, improved staff recruitment & retention, reduced agency usage, increased spend per head across F&B areas, consistent delivery of service excellence, positive guest, owner & trainer feedback.