Food and Beverage Operations Director - ExCel London

Compass Group UK & Ireland; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in hospitality is seeking a Food and Beverage Operations Director to manage operations at ExCeL London, ensuring exceptional service across various high-profile events. The successful candidate will need extensive management experience in the food and beverage sector and be a skilled leader capable of inspiring operational teams.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Discretionary annual bonus

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Free meals on duty

Pension scheme and Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Family-friendly benefits

Exclusive Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)

Holiday purchase scheme

Ongoing training and career development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Food and Beverage management.
• Proven leadership in senior hospitality roles.
• Strategic thinking with capability in stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of Department Heads to optimize operational performance.
• Manage diverse hospitality functions and ensure high service standards.
• Develop and execute strategies for business growth and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Change Management

Interpersonal Skills

Job description

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Job Introduction

Food and Beverage Operations Director - ExCeL London

Salary: Up to £90,000

We are seeking a dynamic, senior hospitality professional with extensive experience in Food and Beverage delivery across meetings, exhibitions, conferences, and entertainment venues. You will lead and inspire a team of Department Heads and their teams to optimize sales, profitability, and guest service, following a structured approach with a focus on compliance with company policies, standards, and employment principles.

ExCeL London, the home of world-leading events, is experiencing significant growth and aims to become Europe's largest connected convention centre with a new extension opening in Summer 2025, increasing capacity by 25%. To support this expansion, we are growing our hospitality team to deliver over 400 industry-leading events annually. Our team ensures the highest standards of service for a diverse range of events, from executive meetings to large-scale conferences and exhibitions.

Who you are:

• A confident leader with senior management experience, capable of inspiring large operational teams to achieve results. Essential: substantial experience in Food and Beverage management.
• Skilled in managing a diverse portfolio of outlets and business functions.
• Passionate about people, with excellent communication skills for engaging clients and team members alike.
• Enthusiastic about food and hospitality, with a natural flair for the industry.
• Experienced in leading projects and change management initiatives.
• Commercially savvy, adept at budgeting, forecasting, and resource deployment, with a keen eye for trends and cost-effective innovation.
• A strategic thinker, capable of developing and executing effective strategies and tactics.
• Excellent at stakeholder management, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to clarify client requirements.
• Confident, energetic, and charismatic.
• Flexible in leadership style, able to adapt between leading and collaborating.
• Structured yet agile, with resilience and calmness in challenging situations.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Benefits:

We value your hard work and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Private Healthcare
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional day off for your birthday
• Free meals on duty
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Family-friendly benefits
• Exclusive Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Ongoing training and career development
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Financial wellbeing programmes and salary finance discounts

About Us:

Levy UK + Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company. We operate at some of the most prestigious venues worldwide, delivering exceptional food, drink, and hospitality experiences. Our UK partnerships include Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Principality Stadium, among others.