Conference and Events Operations Manager | SEC

Compass Group UK; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellbeing support

23 days + BH

Life assurance

Meals on duty

Job summary

Compass Group UK is seeking an Operations Manager to lead catering at the SEC, delivering high-profile events with a focus on operational efficiency. You will manage a team, partner with clients from planning to delivery, and ensure standards and safety compliance throughout the event lifecycle.

Essential: at least 2 years in a management role with event P&L, excellent communication, strong IT skills, and commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in a Management role with event P&L accountability.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Strong IT skills.
• Sound knowledge of Health, Safety, and Food Safety in a foodservice environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to increase sales & profitability.
• Able to motivate and inspire people at all levels.
• Fully flexible and willing to adapt to ever-changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Consult effectively with senior stakeholders, contractors, and partners.
• Maintain day-to-day contact with the venue client to enable strong relationships.
• Support the sales team to develop bids and sign-off final agreements.
• Understand and support the ordering process and ensure timely delivery.
• Monitor COS, VPM, and liquor yields to aid decision making.
• Oversee non-live setup days and ensure venue areas are ready for shows.
• Collaborate with Logistics to manage rotas and stock schedules.
• Promote CSR, sustainability, equality, and diversity initiatives.
• Brief teams effectively and communicate strategy to maximize performance.
• Ensure health, safety and hygiene rules are followed at all times.

Skills

Management experience

Excellent communication skills

Strong IT skills

Commercial acumen

Motivate and inspire

Flexibility

Job description

Operations Manager - SEC | Full-Time / Permanent

£38,000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We're looking for...

A Operations Manager to lead all elements of catering and to deliver the operational efficiency. Planning, presentation and delivery of the food and beverage offer at the SEC, managing a team of people at high profile events within our retail, hospitality, and restaurant business. Ensuring all standards are achieved and that we deliver best in class operation that continues to evolve operationally and technologically.

This role will see you meet with clients at an early stage, partner with our events planning team to fully plan events and then deliver the events on the day. You will be there through set up, delivery and de-brief.

We are Levy

We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world's most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events from Wimbledon and Twickenham to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Operations Manager - The Role

KEY RESPONSIBITLIES:

Operations

• Able to consult effectively with senior stakeholders, contractors, and partners. Operational POC – lead operator for SEC stakeholder liaison.
• Actively maintain day to day contact with the venue client to enable the closest possible working relationships. Must be a confident speaker and able to deal effectively with all stakeholders
• Support the sales team to develop financially sound bids and proposals and sign off final agreements to ensure we deliver operationally sound contracts
• Understand and support the ordering process and that delivery schedules are updated, and orders placed in time
• Understand and analyze COS, VPM, liquor yields to aid decision making
• Responsible for the non-live setup days and ensure all catering areas in the venue are ready and presentable during client show rounds and set ahead of operation going live.
• Work in collaboration with the Logistics Manger to manage the rotas, stock and stock taking schedules.
• Display a positive guest attitude and is keen to be involved in initiatives including CSR, Sustainability, Equality, and diversity
• Work with the Back of House Manager to manage departmental maintenance log, ensuring resolutions are made in an appropriate timeframe.
• Attend training sessions and client meetings as required
• Deliver effective, motivational, and informative pre-shift briefing to wider teams.
• Communicate strategy to team and ensure that improvements are implemented to maximize performance and customer satisfaction
• Ensure Challenge 25 is strictly adhered to
• Report and take action on any health and safety hazards immediately you become aware of them
• Ensure that health, safety & hygiene rules, and procedures are always followed as a priority
• Solve operational issues / concerns in suitable time. Demonstrate initiative-taking working practice and a sense of urgency when required, whilst being able to multitask and prioritize
• Actively deal with customer feedback in a positive manner and advise the Head of Department as appropriate
• Be prepared to feedback all progress updates to the Head of Department
• Consulting with the wider team to ensure the SEC operations and requirements are fully covered

Finance

• Drive spends per transaction values through maximizing the sales opportunities that occur within the planning and operations stages for all events
• Manage all aspects of labour scheduling and work closely with the HR and Staffing team to effectively manage labour spend and forecasting
• Actively make recommendations to the development of budgets and planning of future Capex / Opex
• To manage and take ownership for all costs associated with the operations under your management
• Manage all aspects of SEC labour scheduling relevant to your department and event
• Actively monitor and improve the operating standards within the Concessions area including service, product lines and operational procedures
• Demonstrate excellent control of all operating costs in line with set targets
• Minimise operating costs by using all equipment and products in accordance with company requirements
• Ensures compliance to the company profit protection procedures and that venue security procedures are strictly adhered to
• Ensure all stock takes are completed to deadlines, with any variances investigated
• Work within all budget restrictions
• Accountable for PCI DSS control and Profit Protection measures

People

• Responsible for managing, training and performance of all staff within the department to Levy high standards which includes conducting staff appraisals, and feedback
• To build a positive team morale through active communication with all managers, supervisors and team members
• Staff training & development- ensure Concessions team effectively uses suggestive and up selling techniques
• To ensure all staff receive regular feedback on performance within the department.
• Attend and contribute to any meetings as required or arrange a suitable person to deputise.
• Effectively communicate with all members of the team. IT proficient and capable of creating informative presentations and conducting engaging training sessions
• Participate with recruitment, including interviewing. Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion

Business Development

• To recommend and develop new products that reflect the current trends or provide an opportunity to improve the business
• To recommend and develop new service styles and business opportunities that support growth of the business for both Levy & the client

What we're looking for

Essential:

• A minimum of 2 years in a Management role with event P&L accountability in high-volume quality food service and/or conference and event catering.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Strong IT Skills
• Sound knowledge and ability to manage all aspects of Health, Safety, and Food Safety in a foodservice environment.
• Must possess strong commercial acumen & have outstanding skills to increase sales & profitability within all areas of the business.
• Able to motivate and inspire people at all levels.
• Fully flexible and willing to adapt to ever-changing environments

Desirable:

• Experience of working in environments involving high levels of customer care.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a client and experience of managing and delivering all contractual terms.
• Experience with managing multiple operations and/or multiple service streams

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 2 days additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby's first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why Join Us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences and shape the future of hospitality.

• Medicash - Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)
• Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts - up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Health & Wellbeing discounts - Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%)
• Travel discounts - Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• Meals on duty
• Vodaphone discounts
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme23 days + BH's and additional day off for your birthday
• 2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during first year back
• Competitive and supportive family benefits
• Day off for baby's first birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• On-going training & development and career pathways
• Professional subscriptions paid
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1808/68674001/52828222/SU #SCOT #Levy UK

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!