Food and Beverage Operations Director - ExCel London

Levy UK; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic General Manager of Hospitality to lead its growing team at a premier venue in London. This role offers the opportunity to inspire a talented workforce while managing a diverse portfolio of food and beverage operations across high-profile events. As the venue prepares for significant expansion, your leadership will be vital in optimizing guest experiences and driving profitability. Join a passionate team committed to culinary excellence and sustainability, and contribute to creating memorable experiences for guests from around the world.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Discretionary annual bonus

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Free on-duty meals

Pension and Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Family-friendly benefits

Entertainment discounts

Health and wellbeing discounts

Ongoing training and career development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Food and Beverage management is essential.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to inspire large teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of Department Heads to optimize sales and guest service.
• Manage diverse hospitality services for high-profile events.

Skills

Food and Beverage Management

Leadership

Budgeting and Forecasting

Client Relationship Management

Project Implementation

Communication Skills

Change Management

Job description

General Manager of Hospitality - ExCel London

Salary: Up to £90,000

We are seeking a dynamic, senior hospitality professional with experience in Food and Beverage delivery across meetings, exhibitions, conferences, and entertainment arenas. The successful candidate will lead and inspire a team of Department Heads and their staff to optimize sales, profitability, and guest service, using a structured approach that ensures compliance with company policies, standards, and employment principles.

ExCeL London, renowned for hosting 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 expanding our hospitality team, which delivers over 400 industry events annually. Our hospitality services cater to high-profile events, from executive meetings to large-scale conferences and exhibitions, staffed by a highly trained team of managers, chefs, and service staff committed to excellence.

Who you are:

• A confident leader with senior management experience, capable of inspiring large operational teams to achieve results, with substantial Food and Beverage management experience (essential).
• 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 service.
• Experienced in leading project implementations and change management.
• Commercially savvy with skills in budgeting, forecasting, resource deployment, and trend analysis, maintaining product integrity cost-effectively.
• A strategic thinker capable of developing and executing effective strategies and tactics.
• Excellent at managing client and stakeholder relationships, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Charismatic, energetic, and confident, able to adapt between leadership and team roles as needed.
• Structured yet flexible, resilient, and calm under pressure.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as required.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Private Healthcare
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• Free on-duty meals
• Pension and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Family-friendly benefits
• Exclusive perks and wellbeing resources (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts (up to 55% off cinema tickets)
• Health and wellbeing discounts (e.g., Nuffield Health, Pure Gym)
• Travel discounts (TUI, Expedia)
• Shopping discounts (up to 15% off at stores via Shopping Cards)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Ongoing training and career development
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Financial wellbeing programs and salary finance options

Who we are:

Levy UK + Ireland, part of Compass Group, is a vibrant sector working at premier venues, delivering exceptional food, drink, and hospitality experiences. We have longstanding partnerships with venues like Wimbledon, Twickenham, and Tottenham Hotspur, among others.

We are passionate about culinary excellence, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to be Net Zero by 2027, partner with the British Paralympic Association, and ensure all team members earn at least the Real or London Living Wage.

At Levy UK + Ireland, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their talents. Join us in building a more diverse and inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.