Account Director - Wisley

Equipment Sales & Service Limited.; Elm Corner; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Account Director to lead a team at a prestigious multi-outlet venue. In this role, you will handle daily operations, manage P&L, and drive sales growth through innovative strategies. Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of senior leadership experience in hospitality or venue management, with a strong focus on financial performance and guest satisfaction. This position offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Access to Digital GP

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards program

Wellness classes

Discount sharing with friends and family

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years proven experience in a similar senior/regional role.
• Proven experience in contract catering, hospitality and/or venue management roles.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across multiple catering outlets.
• Oversee full P&L, including forecasting and financial reporting.
• Co-create and implement strategic plans for guest experiences.
• Drive sales growth through creative marketing and events planning.
• Act as the on-site cultural ambassador fostering a positive workplace.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Team development

Customer service excellence

Job description

As the Account Director of this vast, prestigious, multiple catering outlet venue, you will take on a key leadership role within the team to shape the strategy, deliver exceptional food and service as well as drive the commercial performance of the venue. As a newly won contract to the Restaurant Associates Venues team, we require a leader who is confident with implementing processes, comfortable with balancing strategic and commercial decision making and enjoys developing innovative approaches to move the venue forward. In this role, you will be leading a talented team alongside working with senior partners, and you will embody the Restaurant Associates Venues values and cultures as well as implementing processes that will ensure this venue continues to be high performing whilst having guest experience at heart. This is a highly visible, client-facing leadership role where innovation, accountability, and collaboration are key.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across the multiple catering outlets on site, consisting of restaurants, coffee shops, and event spaces
• Take ownership of the full P&L, including forecasting, and financial reporting to internal senior stakeholders
• Co-create and implement strategic plans with RHS Wisley and internal teams to ensure the guests experience the highest standard of food and beverage on offer
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, and team development on site
• Deliver and exceed standards in customer service, food quality, and compliance
• Drive sales growth through creative marketing and events planning with an innovative approach to increase potential sales and market position
• Act as the on-site cultural ambassador, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace
• Inspire a team to embody the Restaurant Associates Venues culture and work with the senior operators on site to continue implementing this.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years proven experience in a similar senior/regional role.
• Proven experience in previous contract catering, hospitality and/or venue management roles.
• Ideally worked in a similar environment - heritage/culture visitor attraction venue with multiple different food offering operations - grab & go, restaurants, events-based dining such as canapes and bowl food.
• 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 along with strong KPI management.
• Passionate about food, service, and guest experience.
• Confident, client-facing, and calm under pressure.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.

Company Overview

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 workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations. Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!

Benefits

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• 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