Senior Operations Manager

ZipRecruiter; Surrey; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to oversee wedding operations in the London/Surrey area. Responsibilities include planning, team leadership, and budget management, ensuring high standards of service. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in event management and must have a valid UK driving licence and own car. Join a creative team dedicated to excellence in bespoke events.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Creative work environment

Supportive team

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in operations/event management in weddings or catering.
• Strong leadership skills to coordinate multiple teams.
• Excellent organisational skills and detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver weddings from start to finish.
• Lead and manage event staff and subcontractors.
• Budget management and cost negotiations.

Skills

Event management

Leadership

Organisational skills

Financial understanding

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Operations Manager

Location: London / Surrey area

Salary: £40,000 - £46,000 per annum

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Driving requirement: Must have own car and valid UK driving licence (travel around venues required)

Our client is a boutique event catering company specialising in weddings and high-end private events across London and Surrey. Their reputation is built on excellence, attention to detail, creative culinary flair, and seamless delivery that makes every event unforgettable.

The Role

As Senior Operations Manager, you will be instrumental in ensuring their wedding operations run smoothly from planning through to execution and breakdown. You will lead and coordinate multiple teams (front of house, kitchen liaison, suppliers, transport), oversee logistics, manage budgets, and ensure their high standards of service and styling are met (and exceeded). You’ll be a hands-on leader who thrives under pressure and enjoys making sure everything is perfect for their clients on their big day.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end operational planning & delivery of weddings: site visits, logistical planning, scheduling, and overseeing event setup, live service, and breakdown.
• Lead, manage and motivate event staff, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure high standards of service, punctuality, presentation and professionalism.
• Work closely with the client, sales/planning teams, and kitchen to ensure menu/logistics are feasible, cost-effective and delivered to brief.
• Budget management: cost control, tracking spend, negotiating with suppliers, ensuring profitability.
• Maintain and optimise operational processes (from staffing rotas to transport, equipment, inventory).
• Health & Safety compliance and ensuring all venues / staff / operations meet regulatory requirements.
• Problem solving on the day: able to make quick decisions when last-minute issues arise.
• Ensure customer satisfaction: managing feedback, ensuring smooth client experience before, during and after the wedding.
• Travel regularly to venues around London & Surrey; ensure you have reliable transport using your own car.

Qualifications

• Significant experience (ideally 3-5 years) in operations / event management in the wedding / bespoke catering / high-end events sector.
• Proven track record delivering weddings (or large private events) in the London / Surrey area.
• Strong leadership skills: able to motivate, supervise, coordinate multiple teams under tight timelines.
• Excellent organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail.
• Comfortable working under pressure, managing multiple overlapping events.
• Solid financial understanding (budgets, costings, margins).
• Strong communication skills (verbal & written), confident liaising with clients, venues, suppliers.
• Must have a full, clean driving licence, own car
• Flexibility: willing to work evenings and weekends as weddings typically happen then.

Benefits

• Salary of £40,000 - £46,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to work in a creative, high-quality, detail-driven environment where your efforts directly impact guest experience.
• Supportive team, varied work (no two weddings are the same), chance to develop your skills in logistics, budgeting, supplier relations etc.

Apply now with your CV to discuss this role in full.