Account Director

Restaurant Associates; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in London is seeking an experienced EMEA Account Director to lead strategic operations and manage client relationships in a dynamic environment. You will oversee daily catering services, drive performance, and inspire a large team. This role requires a strong track record in the contract catering industry, exceptional financial understanding, and an ability to innovate. The position offers a variety of benefits including a pension scheme, career development opportunities, and significant discounts on travel and groceries.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery shopping discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards

Free wellness classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the contract catering industry.
• Strong track record of managing high-value, complex accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams (100+ employees) across EMEA/global regions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end strategic direction of a successful site.
• Oversee daily catering and hospitality operations.
• Inspire, coach, and develop a large team.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in contract catering

Client relationship skills

Financial acumen

Strategic thinking

Job description

Account Director - EMEA

London

£85,000

Join a high turnover operation at the heart of London’s contract catering sector! We’re seeking an experienced, commercially driven EMEA Account Director to lead a high-profile client partnership and inspire a large talented team. As the strategic lead for one of our corporate sites, you’ll champion operational excellence, elevate the customer experience, and drive continuous growth across a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an exciting account within a dynamic, innovative, and people‑focused business.

Main Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the end-to-end strategic direction of a successful site, ensuring delivery of exceptional service standards and alignment with client objectives across the EMEA region.
• Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary senior point of contact for the client, nurturing a strong partnership, anticipating needs, and proactively driving value, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily catering and hospitality operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all service lines.
• Team Leadership & Development: Inspire, coach, and develop a large team, cultivating a high‑performance culture focused on engagement, accountability, and growth.
• Financial Management: Own the P&L for the site, managing budgets, forecasting, reporting, and driving commercial performance.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the contract catering industry
• Strong track record of managing high‑value, complex accounts
• Exceptional client relationship skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build trust at executive level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams (100+ employees) across EMEA/global regions
• Commercially astute, with strong financial acumen
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate client needs into innovative, value‑adding solutions.

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un‑wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families