General Manager

Sodexo Group; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Benefits fund 1,300

Employee Assistance Programme

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Cycle to Work

Volunteer opportunities

Comprehensive learning & development

Job summary

Sodexo Live! is recruiting a General Manager to lead operations at Ewood Park, Blackburn. You will oversee hospitality, retail and events, directing a high-performing team to deliver outstanding guest experiences on matchdays and non-matchdays.

In this senior role you will drive commercial performance, build strong relations with the venue partner and shape the venue’s business plan while maintaining the highest safety and service standards.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within stadium, arena, or large-scale hospitality venues.
• Strong commercial mindset with experience managing P&L and delivering financial performance.
• Experience managing large, diverse operational teams across multiple departments.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Sodexo Live! operations at Ewood Park, ensuring exceptional service across matchdays, hospitality, retail and events.
• Act as the senior point of contact for the venue partner, building trusted relationships and delivering on shared ambitions for the venue.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary team, creating a culture of collaboration, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Drive commercial performance and profitability, managing P&L accountability while identifying new revenue opportunities and growth initiatives.
• Oversee premium hospitality, public retail, conferences and events, ensuring service delivery consistently exceeds guest expectations.
• Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence, including food safety, licensing, and health and safety standards.
• Develop and implement the venue business plan, aligning operational strategy with both Sodexo Live! and partner objectives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, new concepts and enhanced fan experiences, keeping the venue at the forefront of stadium hospitality.

Job description

General Manager

• Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park, Nuttall Street BB2 4JF
• up to £50,000 depending on experience + excellent bonus and benefits package
• 40hrs pw 5/7
• Flexible Benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefits

At Sodexo Live!, we create exceptional moments at some of the world’s most iconic venues. We are now seeking an inspiring General Manager to lead our operations at Ewood Park, delivering outstanding hospitality, retail and event experiences for fans, partners and guests.

This is more than an operational leadership role. It is an opportunity to shape the entire matchday and non-matchday experience, lead high-performing teams, and drive commercial success at one of football’s historic stadiums.

If you are a dynamic hospitality leader with stadium or large venue experience, strong commercial acumen and a passion for delivering unforgettable experiences, this is your opportunity to make your mark.

What You'll Do:

• Provide strategic leadership for all Sodexo Live! operations at Ewood Park, ensuring exceptional service across matchdays, hospitality, retail and events.

• Act as the senior point of contact for the venue partner, building trusted relationships and delivering on shared ambitions for the venue.

• Lead and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary team, creating a culture of collaboration, engagement and continuous improvement.

• Drive commercial performance and profitability, managing P&L accountability while identifying new revenue opportunities and growth initiatives.

• Oversee premium hospitality, public retail, conferences and events, ensuring service delivery consistently exceeds guest expectations.

• Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence, including food safety, licensing, and health and safety standards.

• Develop and implement the venue business plan, aligning operational strategy with both Sodexo Live! and partner objectives.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, new concepts and enhanced fan experiences, keeping the venue at the forefront of stadium hospitality.

For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description

What You Bring:

• Proven leadership experience within stadium, arena, or large-scale hospitality venues.

• Strong commercial mindset with experience managing P&L and delivering financial performance.

• Experience managing large, diverse operational teams across multiple departments.

• Strong client relationship management skills with the ability to influence at senior level.

• Demonstrated success in hospitality, retail, and events operations.

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

• A passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and leading teams to achieve excellence.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo Live! 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

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

About Sodexo Live!

At Sodexo Live!, 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 committedtobeingan 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.