Senior Event Operations Manager – High-profile large-scale events
Location: Oxfordshire based/Hybrid
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £50K
CoCo Group are proud to be working with a leading luxury hospitality and catering specialist to recruit a Senior Event Operations Manager for some of the UK's most prestigious and large-scale events. This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you'll have a genuine impact, overseeing the planning and delivery of landmark events that attract thousands of guests and demand the very highest standards of execution.
The Role
As Senior Event Operations Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in bringing to life some of the UK's most exciting events, including high end luxury events and large-scale sporting events. You'll assist the project lead in managing all aspects of event delivery, from early planning and budgeting through to on-site execution and post-event review.
You'll act as the key client contact for senior stakeholders, while also leading, motivating, and coordinating internal teams and third-party suppliers to deliver unforgettable hospitality experiences. One week you may be deep in budget forecasting and planning menus with culinary teams, and the next you'll be on-site managing multiple teams, suppliers, and logistics to ensure every detail runs seamlessly.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the planning and delivery of high-profile events for thousands of guests
* Manage client relationships and act as the main point of contact for senior stakeholders
* Oversee on-site teams, providing strong leadership in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
* Collaborate closely with culinary, logistics, and staffing teams to ensure smooth event operations
* Source and manage third-party suppliers, balancing quality with cost efficiency
* Take ownership of event budgets, working with finance teams on forecasting, tracking, and reconciliations
* Ensure hospitality standards are exceptional, always striving to enhance guest experience
* Support creative menu development and bring operational innovation to every project
The person
We're looking for someone with strong event catering experience and a passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences. You'll thrive in challenging environments, balancing complex planning with decisive leadership onsite. Ideally, you'll bring experience in large-scale or greenfield catering, an understanding of building pop-up kitchens and managing logistics, and confidence working with budgets and finance processes.
You'll be:
* A strong communicator who can engage clients, stakeholders, and teams with clarity and confidence
* Highly organised with proven ability to juggle multiple projects and tight deadlines
* Calm under pressure and able to make quick, informed decisions
* Motivational and approachable, bringing out the best in your teams
* Commercially astute, with an eye for efficiencies and cost management
This is more than just an operations role, it's a chance to be at the heart of iconic UK events, shaping the experience for thousands of guests while working alongside some of the most talented teams in the industry. If you're ready to combine your operational expertise with your love for hospitality and events, this role will put you in the spotlight.