Head of Hospitality

AWD CONSULTING GROUP LTD; Portsmouth; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A hospitality consulting firm is seeking an experienced Head of Hospitality & Events to oversee and enhance event operations. The successful candidate will plan and implement premium experiences while managing catering operations, overseeing staff, and ensuring operational excellence. This role requires strong leadership and experience in large-scale venues. Candidates should possess a proactive mindset and an understanding of hygiene standards. A focus on maximizing partnerships and driving revenue initiatives is essential for success in this position.

Responsibilities

• Plan, facilitate and implement operations for premium event experiences.
• Manage catering operations to ensure excellent customer experiences.
• Oversee third-party relationships for maximum partnership benefit.
• Coordinate match day/event catering operations effectively.
• Manage procurement of food and drinks in line with budgets.
• Ensure payroll is within operating targets and oversee casual employee rotas.
• Drive catering revenue initiatives for events.
• Identify new commercial opportunities for business development.
• React quickly to client requests and complaints.
• Ensure employee training meets health and safety standards.

Skills

Experience working in large scale events

Experience managing contract staff

Proactive mindset and leadership

Experience managing payroll

Experience of managing multi-site venues

Understanding of hygiene and safety standards

Knowledge of food and beverage service standards

Knowledge of legal requirements for alcohol sales

Job description

AWD.Group are looking for an experienced hospitality professional to join as Head of Hospitality & Events. Your role will be to plan, facilitate and implement an operation that delivers a premium experience during event days alongside ensuring operational quality and excellence is maintained.

Responsibilities

This is a varied role for someone who is highly organised and process driven.

• Leading on the management and execution of the catering operations plan to ensure the optimal delivery of matchday experience/customer experiences and ensure that the venues surpasses supporter expectations in line with agreed budgets.
• You will oversee all third-party relationships to ensure that the partnership is maximised.
• Be the lead in the management and co-ordination of the match day/event catering operation.
• Managing the procurement of all food and drinks in line with current operational budgets and identifying efficiencies within the match day catering operation that improve P&L and operational performance.
• Ensuring that casual employee payroll is kept within the operating targets as set and responsibility overseeing the preparation of casual employee rotas, interaction with Accounts for payroll and other administration duties.
• To lead in co-ordinating initiatives to drive catering revenue on events.
• Identify new commercial opportunities for developing business cases and realise benefits.
• You’ll manage and assist in the preparation of all areas and ensure that the highest standards of presentation of these areas are achieved in good time.
• React quickly and efficiently to clients requests and changes in function arrangements and complaints and ensure these are carried out. To communicate such information to the catering office and kitchen where relevant.
• Ensure that all employees are trained to a level (including Health & Safety) which enables them to carry out their duties according to departmental standards.

Skills & Experience

• Experience working in a large scale events venue
• Experience managing contract staff
• A proactive mind set and a true leader
• Must have experience managing payroll
• Experience of managing multi-site venues
• Understanding of the standards and procedures within banqueting for personal hygiene, food hygiene and safety.
• Understanding of the operating standards and procedures for the service of food and beverage.
• Knowledge of the legal requirements in respect of the sales of alcohol to the public.