Duty Event Manager

Freemans-Event-Partners; Kingswood; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Freemans-Event-Partners is seeking a Duty Manager (Catering & Bars) to lead multi-site catering and bar operations across national events in the UK. You will manage front-line teams, ensure exceptional guest experiences, and uphold safety and licensing standards throughout the event lifecycle.

The role requires proactive problem solving, strong communication, and the ability to travel nationwide, including build, live event, and breakdown phases. Experience in large-scale events is essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience managing catering or bar operations.
• Experience within large-scale events, festivals or stadia.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Excellent decision-making ability.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Willingness to travel nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Lead catering and bar operations across Greenfield events.
• Direct front-line teams and support unit managers.
• Ensure outlets are operational before gates open.
• Monitor service standards and respond to issues.
• Coordinate stock replenishment and schedule staffing.
• Provide pre-shift briefings and coaching.
• Drive guest experience while maintaining food safety compliance.
• Manage financial processes and budget adherence.
• Communicate effectively with Event Management and operations teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Decision making

Customer focus

Problem solving

Time management

People development

Operational planning

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

IOSH Managing Safely

First Aid at Work

Tools

EPOS systems

Cash handling

Job description

Job Description: Duty Manager (Catering & Bars – Greenfield Events)

Job Title: Duty Manager – Catering & Bars (Greenfield Events)

Reports To: Operations Manager / Event Manager

Location: Various UK Event Sites (National Travel Required)

Contract Type: Casual / Fixed Term / Permanent (dependent on business requirements)

Role Overview:

As a Duty Manager, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of multiple catering and bar operations across Greenfield events. You will lead front-line teams, support unit managers and ensure every guest receives an exceptional experience whilst maintaining the highest standards of food safety, licensing compliance and operational excellence. Working in a fast-paced live event environment, no two days are the same. You'll be expected to make decisions quickly, solve problems proactively and lead by example to ensure the operation runs smoothly from build through to breakdown.

Operational Management:

• Take responsibility for designated catering and bar operations during event delivery.
• Support the Event Manager in delivering all food and beverage operations.
• Ensure all outlets are fully operational before gates open.
• Monitor service standards throughout trading.
• Respond quickly to operational issues and implement effective solutions.
• Ensure all units remain fully stocked and operational.
• Coordinate stock replenishment throughout the event.
• Support opening and closing procedures.
• Conduct regular operational walkarounds across site.

People Leadership:

• Lead, motivate and support Managers, Supervisors and casual event staff.
• Deliver pre-shift briefings.
• Ensure staff understand service expectations and operational objectives.
• Manage staff welfare throughout shifts.
• Deal professionally with performance issues.
• Coach and develop team members during live operations.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
• Manage staffing levels to maximise productivity.

Guest Experience:

• Champion exceptional customer service.
• Resolve customer complaints professionally.
• Ensure queues are managed effectively.
• Support premium hospitality standards where applicable.
• Drive service speed without compromising quality.

Food Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with Food Safety legislation, Health & Safety requirements, Licensing regulations, Challenge 25 procedures and company policies.
• Conduct food safety checks.
• Ensure temperature records are completed.
• Monitor allergen compliance.
• Ensure safe working practices.

Financial Responsibility:

• Support achievement of budgeted sales.
• Minimise waste.
• Monitor stock control procedures.
• Ensure accurate cash handling where required.
• Report financial discrepancies immediately.

Communication:

• Act as the link between Event Management and operational teams.
• Maintain regular communication with Unit Managers.
• Escalate issues promptly.
• Attend management briefings.
• Complete operational reports.

Problem Solving:

• Take ownership of equipment failures, staffing shortages, guest complaints, stock shortages, weather disruption, licensing issues and welfare concerns with a calm, professional and solutions-focused approach.

Responsibilities During Event Lifecycle:

Build Phase:

• Assist with venue setup.
• Support unit mobilisation.
• Check operational readiness.
• Verify staffing levels.
• Ensure compliance documentation is completed.

Live Event:

• Lead operational delivery.
• Monitor service standards.
• Support managers.
• Drive sales opportunities.
• Maintain safety standards.
• Resolve operational challenges.

Breakdown:

• Ensure safe close-down.
• Support stock reconciliation.
• Assist with equipment pack-down.
• Complete operational reporting.
• Ensure venue is left to required standards.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Previous experience managing catering or bar operations.
• Experience within large-scale events, festivals or stadia.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Excellent decision-making ability.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Full UK Driving Licence (preferred).
• Willingness to travel nationwide.

Desirable:

• Personal Licence Holder.
• Level 3 Food Safety.
• IOSH Managing Safely.
• First Aid at Work.
• Experience managing multiple outlets.
• Experience using EPOS systems.
• Stock control experience.
• Budget management experience.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Leadership.
• Operational Planning.
• Food & Beverage Operations.
• Health & Safety.
• Food Safety.
• Stock Management.
• Labour Management.
• Guest Experience.
• Conflict Resolution.
• Team Development.
• Communication.
• Commercial Awareness.
• Time Management.
• Decision Making.

Key Behaviours:

• Leading by example.
• Professionalism.
• Accountability.
• Resilience under pressure.
• Integrity.
• Attention to detail.
• Flexibility.
• Positive attitude.
• Calm decision-making.
• Pride in delivering exceptional events.

Success Measures (KPIs):

• Safe and compliant event delivery.
• Excellent guest satisfaction scores.
• Achievement of sales and labour targets.
• Food safety compliance.
• Successful audit results.
• Reduced stock loss and waste.
• Positive team feedback.
• High staff retention and engagement.
• Efficient service times.
• Successful delivery of operational objectives.

Why Join Us?

Working as a Duty Manager gives you the opportunity to deliver some of the UK's largest sporting events, festivals, concerts and outdoor shows. You'll play a key role in creating memorable guest experiences while leading high-performing teams in exciting, fast-paced environments. This role offers variety, responsibility and the opportunity to develop your career within large-scale event operations, with no two events ever being the same.