Events Manager

Independents by Sodexo; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

The Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Flexible work environment

Full training and protective uniform

Job summary

Sodexo's Heritage Portfolio in Edinburgh is seeking an experienced Event Manager to lead private catering operations across prestigious venues, including the National Museum of Scotland and Assembly Rooms on George Street. You will oversee planning, on-site delivery and team leadership for weddings, corporate events and high-end celebrations.

With a heavy focus on operational delivery (about 80%), this role requires hands-on management, meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Event Manager in premium hospitality.
• Experience managing weddings, corporate functions and large events.
• Strong leadership and staff management skills.
• Excellent client and venue partner relationship management.
• Knowledge of food safety and health & safety standards.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and travel between venues.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional events through operational planning, setup and delivery.
• Lead and inspire event teams to provide outstanding guest experiences.
• Build relationships with clients, venue partners and suppliers.
• Oversee staffing, rotas, logistics, equipment, linen and beverages.
• Manage budgets, costs and operational expenditure.
• Collaborate with the Event Design team to realise concepts.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health and safety, licensing.
• Support growth of private catering business.
• Deputise for the Senior Event Operations Manager when required.

Skills

Event management

Leadership

Client relations

Budget management

Operational planning

Job description

Job Description

• Job Title: Event Manager Private Catering
• Location: Private Catering, Heritage Portfolio, 49 North Fort Street, EH6 4HJ
• up to £32,000 Salary per annum plus up to 10% performance Bonus
• 40hrs / working 5 out 7days

Job Introduction

Are you an experienced Event Manager with a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality experiences in some of Scotland's most prestigious venues?

At Heritage Portfolio, we specialise in creating extraordinary events, from elegant weddings and exclusive private dining experiences to high-profile corporate functions and large-scale celebrations.

We're looking for a talented and hands‑on Event Manager to join our Private Catering team in Edinburgh, supporting the planning and seamless delivery of exceptional events across our portfolio of prestigious venues, including the National Museum of Scotland, Assembly Rooms on George Street, and other iconic locations.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, premium hospitality environment and enjoys bringing events to life. You'll take ownership of event operations, lead and inspire talented teams, and work closely with clients, venue partners and our Event Design team to ensure every occasion is delivered to the highest standards.

With approximately 80% of the role focused on operational delivery, you'll be at the heart of the action, overseeing everything from the initial event preparations to the final guest experience.

You’ll also have the opportunity to deputise for the Senior Event Operations Manager, contribute to the continued growth of our private catering business and play an important role in maintaining our reputation for exceptional service.

If you love the energy of live events, have an eye for detail and take pride in creating memorable experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do:

As our Event Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring the successful planning, coordination and delivery of exceptional events across our Edinburgh venues.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deliver exceptional events: Lead the operational planning, setup and delivery of weddings, private celebrations, corporate functions and prestigious hospitality events, ensuring every detail is executed to the highest standard.

• Lead and inspire teams: Manage, motivate and develop event teams, creating a positive, collaborative environment where everyone is empowered to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

• Build lasting relationships: Work closely with clients, venue partners, suppliers and internal teams to understand their expectations and deliver a personalised, professional service.

• Oversee event operations: Take ownership of staffing, rotas, event logistics, equipment, linen, beverage requirements and operational resources to ensure seamless delivery.

• Drive commercial performance: Manage event costs, labour budgets and operational expenditure while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and service quality.

• Collaborate across the business: Partner with the Event Design team and senior operational colleagues to turn creative event concepts into successful, memorable occasions.

• Maintain exceptional standards: Ensure all events comply with food safety, health and safety, licensing and company procedures, while consistently exceeding client expectations.

• Support business growth: Contribute ideas and improvements that enhance our events offering, strengthen client relationships and support the continued development of our private catering business.

• Step into leadership: Deputise for the Senior Event Operations Manager when required, supporting the wider operation and helping drive operational excellence across the portfolio.

What You’ll Bring:

We're looking for a confident, organised and commercially aware hospitality professional who combines strong operational expertise with a genuine passion for exceptional service.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven experience as an Event Manager, Events Operations Manager, Banqueting Manager or Conference & Events Manager within a premium hospitality, luxury hotel, wedding venue, contract catering or high-end events environment.

• Strong hands‑on experience planning, managing and delivering multiple events, ideally across different venues or complex hospitality operations.

• A passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to maintain high standards under pressure.

• Excellent leadership skills, with experience managing, motivating and developing operational teams.

• Confidence building relationships with senior clients, venue partners, suppliers and key stakeholders.

• Good commercial awareness, including experience managing event budgets, staffing costs, financial performance and operational efficiencies.

• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and adapt quickly to changing event requirements.

• A sound understanding of food safety, health and safety and operational compliance within hospitality environments.

• A proactive, flexible and hands‑on approach, with the willingness to work evenings and weekends in line with event requirements and travel between venues when needed.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you foryou;you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed tobeingan inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.