Chief Executive Officer

TN United Kingdom; Taunton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic CEO to lead Taunton Racecourse into its next chapter. This hands-on leadership role emphasizes balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring exceptional experiences for racegoers and event attendees. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in the sports entertainment industry, with proven success in driving business growth and managing venues. You will engage with key stakeholders, optimize operations, and secure sustainable income streams, all while fostering a collaborative culture. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a financially strong and community-focused racecourse.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in managing sports venues.
• Strong capability in business development and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and commercial direction across all areas of the business.
• Driving revenue growth from racing, conferencing, and events.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Business Development

Strategic Planning

Venue Management

Stakeholder Management

Financial Oversight

Customer Experience Management

Resilience and Adaptability

Emotional Intelligence

Job description

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Contract: Permanent, Full time

The Company:

Taunton Racecourse & its subsidiary company Orchard Restaurant operate an independent horse racing & hospitality business with a strong focus on quality & connections locally & within the wider horse racing community. It seeks to recruit a successor for its retiring chief executive in early 2026.

The Opportunity:

As CEO, you will be at the forefront of Taunton Racecourse, driving its long-term success by balancing tradition with commercial innovation. This is a hands-on leadership role that goes beyond strategy.

The successful role holder will have a focus on revenue diversification, ensuring the racecourse remains a premier racing venue whilst maximising its potential as a destination for conferences, weddings and corporate events. You will work closely with key stakeholders, including sponsors, racing authorities, local businesses and the wider community, securing sustainable income streams and strengthening the racecourse’s reputation.

A key priority in this role is to ensure all customers, including racegoers and event attendees, are offered outstanding experiences. With a sharp commercial mindset and a passion for delivering excellence, you will optimise operations and ensure the venue’s financial and operational success for years to come.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and commercial direction across all areas of the business.
• Driving revenue growth from racing, conferencing and events, maximising all income streams.
• Overseeing race meetings and non-racing events, ensuring exceptional customer experiences.
• Acting as a visible, hands-on leader, engaging with customers and the wider community.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, sponsors and the local community.
• Working closely with the Board to set and achieve financial and operational goals.
• Ensuring compliance with industry regulations, health and safety and best practices.
• Championing innovation and sustainability to future-proof the racecourse.
• Leading, developing and inspiring a small operational team to deliver business objectives.
• Hands on management of the operational aspects of 14 race meetings per year.
• Expanding non-race day opportunities, optimising the use of the venue’s facilities.
• Continuing to deliver high standards to ensure the racecourse’s high reputation the racing industry and beyond.
• Securing long-term financial stability through strategic investments and partnerships.
• Managing challenges, including race meeting disruptions, with resilience and efficiency.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven CEO with a strong background in the sports entertainment industry. The ideal candidate will have proven senior leadership experience in managing sports venues and driving business growth. With a proven track record in strategic development, revenue generation and financial sustainability, you will be adept at maximising profitability whilst continuing to maintain the high standards and the racecourse’s reputation within the community.

A hands-on and visible leader, you will be adept at balancing operational excellence with long-term commercial strategy. Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, with the ability to engage sponsors, corporate partners, racegoers and the local community.

An interest in horseracing and an understanding of the industry would be an advantage, but above all, we are looking for a leader with the vision, expertise and commitment to shape the future of Taunton Racecourse. As well as the above, here is an overview of the key skills and experience we are looking for:

• A strong capability in business development and strategic planning.
• Proven ability to oversee budgets & drive profitability.
• Hands-on experience in venue management, ensuring high-quality customer experiences and operational efficiency.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to manage unforeseen challenges, including race meeting cancellations or operational disruptions.
• High emotional intelligence, capable of inspiring and motivating teams while fostering a collaborative culture.

This is an opportunity to lead a committed independent course which is financially strong & has invested substantially in its infrastructure in recent years

In return we are offering a competitive remuneration package.
If this role speaks to your experience and ambition, we’d like to hear from you.

Closing date for applications will be 30th May 2025.