General Manager, Hospitality & Major Events

WithUS - Events & Hospitality at the University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

WithUS - Events & Hospitality at the University of Sheffield is seeking a General Manager to lead hospitality, conference and event operations across campus venues, ensuring high standards of service and financial performance.

Reporting to the Head of Hospitality & Hotels, you will recruit and develop an agile team, manage budgets, and partner with chefs and marketing to deliver outstanding events for internal departments and external clients.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills to deal with both internal and external customers.
• Substantial level of professional/operational managerial experience.
• Experience of planning/organising and delivering events up to 500 covers.
• Experience of managing and controlling budgets/resources and an understanding of financial management procedures.
• Relevant IT and technology skills.
• Proven track record of delivering customer excellence/customer champion.
• Experience in managing food safety, control of allergens and health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the hospitality business across all venues—encompassing delivered catering, conferences, banqueting, corporate and social events and weddings—leading from the front and working operational management shifts as required to support the team
• Recruit, lead, and develop a strong, agile operational team capable of delivering high-volume delivered hospitality and conferences, banqueting and events across multiple venues on the University campus and externally.
• Conduct regular performance and development reviews with all staff, providing coaching and mentoring to maintain high operational standards across all venues.
• Provide clear guidelines regarding job roles, responsibilities, service standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and expected outcomes for all business requirements.
• Ensure exemplary service delivery measured via set KPI’s, service standards, customer feedback and client debriefs.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs of venues and event setups with venue managers to ensure presentation and operational delivery meet agreed standards.
• Support with the production of the annual sales and operating budget across all sites
• Work closely with the Marketing and Sales Teams to promote venue spaces and hospitality services, and maintain a reputation as the preferred hospitality partner for internal departments and external clients.
• Proactively identify upsell and cross-selling opportunities to maximise revenue opportunities, and maintain strong client relationship management to encourage repeat business.
• Review trading performance on a weekly basis to control key operational costs to ensure bottom line profitability throughout the year—taking immediate corrective action during off-peak periods. Ensure strict adherence to financial and audit controls across all venues.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Chef and Kitchen Team to continuously innovate menu offerings, presentation standards, dietary options, and service styles for delivered catering, events and conferences, banqueting and private dining
• Benchmark against local competitors (delivered catering providers and events and conference venues) to maintain a competitive commercial edge.
• Be forward-thinking and innovative, considering modern concepts in food packaging, event technology, sustainable practices, and guest experiences to differentiate the business from competitors.
• Ensure full compliance across all sites with relevant legislation, including Food Safety (HACCP), Health & Safety, Premises Licensing, Fire Regulations, and Allergen Management regulations.
• Act as Departmental Health and Safety Officer for the Hospitality, Hotel and Retail commercial business, investigating reported near misses and accidents, and providing factual evidence to the University Health and Safety department on actions taken to ensure continual improvement.
• Execute any other duties commensurate with the grade and commercial of the post.

Job description

WithUS - Events & Hospitality at the University of Sheffield is seeking a General Manager to lead hospitality, conference and event operations across campus venues, ensuring high standards of service and financial performance.

Reporting to the Head of Hospitality & Hotels, you will recruit and develop an agile team, manage budgets, and partner with chefs and marketing to deliver outstanding events for internal departments and external clients.