Director of Operations

Elior; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free, tasty meals

Flexible working

Generous holiday allowance

Paid volunteering days

Career development opportunities

Pension schemes and life assurance

Company car or car allowance

15% Annual Bonus

Job summary

A leading catering services provider in the United Kingdom is looking for an inspiring leader to drive growth across catering contracts. This field-based role requires strategic development, operational excellence, and financial management across multiple sites. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in contract catering and a strong ability to build client relationships. Competitive perks include flexible working, generous holidays, and a company car.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in contract catering within a multi-site, senior management role.
• Proven track record of successfully building and maintaining client relationships.
• Confidence in financial management, including P&L accountability.

Responsibilities

• Drive growth and excellence across catering contracts.
• Manage operational performance and financial growth.
• Develop and implement a catering strategy in partnership with the Director of Concessions.

Skills

Contract catering experience

Client relationship building

Leadership and motivation

Financial management

Excellent communication

Job description

Direct message the job poster from Elior

We’re looking for an inspiring leader to drive growth and excellence across our catering contracts. In this pivotal role, you’ll shape and deliver a forward-thinking catering strategy in partnership with the Director of Concessions. You’ll lead operational performance, financial growth, and client satisfaction across multiple sites. If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for food, people, and performance, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a field based role with national travel.

To drive profitable growth in existing contracts in line with budgeted targets and lead on the growth of our contract base. Working in conjunction with the Director of Concessions you will create an overarching catering strategy, linking into the sales, marketing and menu development teams to include the creation and development of new service initiatives and food offers.

What you’ll be doing…

• Lead the strategic development of the division.
• Successfully manage all aspects of operational excellence and contract delivery.
• Drive financial growth, including accurate forecasting and management
• Build and proactively maintain external relationships with senior clients to exceed expectations and deliver a value-added service that sustains a competitive industry advantage
• Support the sales team with site visits, sales presentations, and ensuring bids are operationally sound with deliverable labour structures and commercial models
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and best practices.
• Implement and monitor performance metrics to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and employee engagement
• Manage a high performing GM (and divisional chef where required) team, including forecasting and weekly results review and mitigation planning
• Due to the nature of this field-based role, you will be expected to travel to sites across the business area (company car provided).

What can you bring?

• Extensive experience in contract catering within a multi-site, senior management role.
• A proven track record of successfully building and maintaining client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, inspiring, and motivating a large and diverse team
• Strong influencing and decision-making skills.
• Confidence in financial management, including P&L accountability.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and strategic planning abilities.

Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!

• Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
• Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
• Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
• Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
• Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
• Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
• Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
• Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance.
• 15% Annual Bonus - Earn up to 15% of your salary through our annual bonus scheme.

One small thing— we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day.

And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.

Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people - especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!

We Celebrate You!

At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!

Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!