Join Our Team as Head of Hospitality!
Welcome to Levy, the dynamic and vibrant sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company! We take pride in delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality at some of the most iconic venues around the globe.
In the UK, we have established long-standing partnerships with prestigious venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC), and ExCel London. Our passion for culinary excellence drives us to create unforgettable experiences through sustainably sourced food and exceptional service.
At Levy, we believe in doing the right thing for our people and the planet. Sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.
Role Purpose
As our Head of Hospitality, you will play a pivotal role in managing the catering function at Aston Villa Football Club. You will lead hospitality efforts on match days, oversee non-match day events, concerts, and special occasions, ensuring everything is delivered to the highest standards while building strong relationships with clients and suppliers.
This is a high-profile opportunity for a dynamic and inspirational hospitality professional with experience in food and beverage delivery across sports venues, entertainment arenas, and conferences. We’re looking for a true ‘people person’ and ‘foodie’ who can lead with passion and innovation, ensuring a consistent quality experience for our guests.
Key Responsibilities
Planning
* Structured Approach: Ensure all activities have clear purposes and measurable outcomes, applying lessons learned for continuous improvement.
* External Landscape: Stay updated on competitor activity and market trends to keep us ahead of the curve.
* Projects: Collaborate with clients, Levy stakeholders, and contractors to plan and deliver various projects effectively.
Operations
* Ownership: Ensure day-to-day delivery of exceptional product quality and service standards, aiming to exceed department targets.
* Readiness to Trade: Oversee all services to ensure they are ready for operation at the agreed standards.
* Hospitality: Foster a guest-focused culture by demonstrating in-depth knowledge of hospitality standards.
* Innovation: Work closely with clients and partners to deliver innovative solutions.
* Consistency: Regularly monitor and develop each department to maintain Levy’s signature culture.
* Health & Safety: Uphold and promote health and safety policies across the venue.
* Brand Development: Enhance and maintain high brand standards in all areas.
* Communication: Ensure clear communication with client representatives and team managers through structured meetings.
* Guest Focus: Champion a guest-focused culture by acting on client and customer feedback.
People Management
* Sourcing and Deployment: Implement effective recruitment plans to source and deploy casual workers for various events.
* Culture: Collaborate with the management team to sustain high energy and engagement focused on great food and hospitality.
* Review and Develop: Conduct regular performance reviews and talent management activities based on measurable KPIs.
* Communications: Ensure effective communication flows throughout the venue.
Financial & Business Development
* Financial Accountability: Manage costs and profitability of premium operations.
* Commerciality: Foster commercial understanding within your teams.
* Product Development: Collaborate with culinary and marketing specialists to drive continuous product development.
Person Specification
* Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
* Strong operational experience with a passion for food and beverage.
* Articulate and numerate, able to prepare quotes and reports accurately.
* Knowledge of government legislation, including health and safety and employment law.
* Proficient in using systems and technology to enhance operations.
* A creative thinker with the drive to achieve significant goals.
* Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships at all levels.
* Strong time management and organizational skills.
* A positive, “can do” attitude towards all tasks.
If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge and lead our hospitality team to new heights, we want to hear from you!