General Manager - NEC

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service provider is seeking a General Manager to oversee food and beverage operations at the NEC in Birmingham. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of senior management experience in large-scale venues, a proven track record of leading successful operations, and a passion for quality service. This role offers a salary of £75,000 per annum plus benefits and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment focused on excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience in large-scale food and beverage operations.
• Proven experience in high-profile venues such as exhibitions or stadiums.
• Strong P&L accountability and commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead food and beverage operations at the NEC for exhibitions.
• Drive quality and innovation across all guest touchpoints.
• Manage team performance and operational standards.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Problem-solving

Communication

Team development

Job description

Job Introduction

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Job Title

General Manager - NEC Midlands Region

Salary - £75,000 per annum plus benefits

Reports to Venue Director/Operations Director

Overview

Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.

In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.

We are culinary champions - it's what we do and it's what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.

Focused on 'doing the right thing' for our people and the planet. sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.

We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

Role Purpose

As General Manager; this is a high-profile opportunity to lead Levy's food and beverage operations for our new partnership with the NEC; responsible for the delivery of operations within Exhibitions. This is a newly created role as part of our structure at one of the UK's most iconic destinations for exhibitions, conferences, and live events.

It's all about taking full accountability for a world-class food and beverage experience, aligned with the NEC's ambition to be a world-leading events destination.

The role requires a senior hospitality professional with proven experience in large scale F&B operations across exhibitions, conferences, or live event venues. With strong leadership skills, commercial acumen, and a genuine passion for food and service, you will drive quality, innovation, and consistency, ensuring every guest touchpoint reflects the NEC and Levy's shared commitment to excellence.

As General Manager, you will work closely with the NEC Group to deliver the catering strategy, lead transformation projects across multiple outlets and hospitality spaces, and ensure the operation meets both commercial and guest experience objectives. You will have overall responsibility for team leadership, operational standards, and financial performance across the NEC Exhibitions portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Work with NEC Group and Levy leadership to define and deliver the food and beverage strategy.
• Develop tactical and operational plans with measurable outcomes and pacey execution.
• Monitor competitor activity and market trends to inform innovation and maintain a leading position.
• Support the planning and delivery of capital investment, refurbishment, and innovation projects across the NEC estate.

Operations Delivery

• Take overall ownership of daily F&B operations, ensuring consistent quality, service standards, and readiness to trade.
• Oversee multiple formats, including retail catering, hospitality, and premium experiences.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in food, drink, and guest experience.
• Ensure Levy and NEC brand standards are delivered across all outlets and services.
• Lead compliance with health, safety, and food safety policies.
• Manage supplier and contractor relationships to ensure effective service delivery and cost control.

People & Culture

• Lead, inspire, and develop a large team of fixed and variable colleagues.
• Build and maintain a guest-focused, high-energy culture across all departments.
• Oversee effective workforce planning, recruitment, and deployment of large casual pools to meet event demands.
• Ensure performance management, training, and succession planning frameworks are embedded.
• Recognise and reward achievement, while ensuring HR and legal compliance at all times.

Finance & Growth

• Take full commercial accountability for NEC Exhibitions' food and beverage operations.
• Deliver accurate budgets, forecasts, and P&Ls in partnership with the Finance Manager.
• Monitor and analyse performance data, guest feedback, and financial results to identify growth opportunities.
• Work with Levy culinary and marketing specialists to drive product development, innovation, and increased spend per transaction.
• Maintain tight control of operating costs, ensuring delivery against agreed financial targets.

Person Specification

• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience in large-scale, multi-site food and beverage operations.
• Proven track record of leading operations in high-profile venues such as exhibitions, arenas, stadiums, or conference centres.
• Strong commercial acumen with previous P&L accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate large, diverse operational teams, including both fixed and variable staff.
• Experience of implementing change programmes and delivering transformation projects.
• Skilled in building effective client relationships and influencing at senior level.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently across all stakeholder groups.
• Passion for food and hospitality, with a focus on delivering quality and innovation.
• Structured, organised, and capable of managing multiple priorities with agility.
• Resilient and solutions-focused, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Flexible and willing to work evenings and weekends in line with the events calendar.