Account Director

Compass Group PLC; Waingroves; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering and hospitality provider is seeking an experienced Account Director to lead operations at RHS Wisley, a high-profile venue in the UK. This role involves managing multiple outlets, financial reporting, and implementing strategic plans. The ideal candidate will have proven hospitality or venue management experience with strong financial skills and a track record of exceeding customer service standards. Benefits include healthcare, career growth opportunities, and discounts on travel and groceries.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Digital GP access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness classes

Discount sharing with friends and family

Qualifications

• Proven experience in hospitality or venue management.
• Strong financial acumen and track record of delivering against budgets.
• Inspirational leader with excellent communication and stakeholder skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across restaurants, coffee shops, and events.
• Own full P&L management, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Co-create and implement strategic plans with RHS Wisley and internal teams.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, and team development.

Skills

Hospitality management

Financial acumen

Leadership

Communication

Client-facing skills

Job description

Overview

We're seeking an experienced and inspiring Account Director to lead the catering and hospitality operations at RHS Wisley, a prestigious and high-footfall venue. You'll play a key role in shaping strategy, delivering exceptional food and service, and driving commercial performance across multiple outlets and event spaces. This is a highly visible, client-facing leadership role where innovation, accountability, and collaboration are key. You'll lead a talented team, working closely with senior partners to influence the future direction of food and service within a nationally recognised venue!

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplaces as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across restaurants, coffee shops, and events
• Own full P&L management, forecasting, and financial reporting
• Co-create and implement strategic plans with RHS Wisley and internal teams
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, and team development
• Deliver and exceed standards in customer service, food quality, and compliance
• Drive sales growth through creative marketing and events planning
• Act as the on-site cultural ambassador, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace
• Proven experience in hospitality or venue management
• Strong financial acumen and track record of delivering against budgets
• Inspirational leader with excellent communication and stakeholder skills
• Commercially savvy and results-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Passionate about food, service, and guest experience
• Confident, client-facing, and calm under pressure
• Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery

Qualifications

• Proven experience in hospitality or venue management
• Strong financial acumen and track record of delivering against budgets
• Inspirational leader with excellent communication and stakeholder skills
• Commercially savvy and results-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Passionate about food, service, and guest experience
• Confident, client-facing, and calm under pressure
• Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery

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
• Unwind with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families