Operations Manager

Compass Group UK; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality service provider is seeking an Operations Manager for the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. The role involves managing catering and hospitality operations, ensuring exceptional service standards, and overseeing budget and staffing efficiency. Ideal candidates will have experience within hospitality management, strong leadership, and financial acumen, and are passionate about delivering memorable visitor experiences in a dynamic environment. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Free staff meals

Access to training and development

Qualifications

• Experience in a managerial role within hospitality.
• Proven ability to operate in high footfall environments.
• Strong understanding of budgets and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in managing catering and hospitality operations.
• Ensure high standards of service through active leadership.
• Manage budgets and stock controls to meet targets.

Skills

Leadership skills

Financial awareness

Communication

Adaptability

Job description

Operations Manager

Salary: Up to £31,000 per annum

Location: IWM North, Manchester

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent, 5 out of 7 days

What can we offer you:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• 20 days annual leave (Excluding bank holidays and national holiday days)
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On-site F&B discounts.
• No shortage of delicious food

About the Role:

We’re seeking a proactive and people-focused Operations Manager to support the catering and hospitality operations at the Imperial War Museum, based in Manchester. This is an outstanding opportunity to help shape visitor experiences within a world-class institution that welcomes guests from across the globe. As Operations Manager, you will work closely with the General Manager to ensure the smooth running of our busy café, as well as delivering exceptional service standards on the conference & events that take place across the venue. You will also be supporting continual improvement across the operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the General Manager in leading all catering and hospitality operations across café, conference, and event spaces, including coordinating food production, delivery, service, and equipment logistics.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high service standards through active floor leadership and team engagement.
• Build strong working relationships with venue stakeholders, assisting in responding to feedback and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Help oversee budgets, stock controls, and staffing levels to meet commercial targets and drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations, supporting training and policy implementation.
• Lead, motivate, and support teams across the venue, assisting with training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and operational improvements, aligning day‑to‑day delivery with organisational goals.
• Plan, organise and oversee daily catering operations for events, corporate clients, and on-site services, including liaising with clients to understand event requirements, timelines, and service expectations as well as conducting pre‑event briefings

About You:

• Experience as an Assistant Manager, Operations Manager, or Deputy General Manager within hospitality, ideally in visitor attractions or multi‑outlet venues.
• Proven ability to support the running of busy environments with high footfall and varied service styles.
• Strong financial awareness and understanding of budgets, cost control, and labour management.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience motivating teams and supporting training and development.
• Confident communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• A passion for food, service, and delivering memorable visitor experiences.
• Ability to adapt in a fast‑paced environment, supporting both daily operations and longer‑term development projects.
• A keen operator that enjoys the buzz of operationally delivering events on variable sizes, due to this role being required on site for this.

About Us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large‑scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Programme.

Job Reference: com/1912/70664001/52782194/SU #RA Venues