Senior Events Manager

Sodexo; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Edinburgh is seeking an experienced Events Manager to oversee operations at the Royal Botanic Garden. The role focuses on driving commercial success, managing high-quality hospitality services, and ensuring operational excellence. Candidates should possess strong leadership and financial management skills, with a commitment to customer satisfaction and team development. Join a community that values individuality and supports your career growth.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in delivering high quality hospitality operations.
• Proven experience in managing P and L accounts and driving profitability.

Responsibilities

• Drive growth and revenue by developing innovative event offerings.
• Ensure all events meet contractual SLAs and quality standards.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the events team and retail staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer Satisfaction

Financial Management

Operational Efficiency

Job description

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ

Heritage Portfolio is looking to recruit an experienced Events Manager for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which is a key venue within the Scottish portfolio, this role will drive commercial success and implement service excellence across all elements of the contract but with a primary focus on the commercial and internal events operation.

We are looking for an inspirational and creative leader with experience with a high volume catering operation. The role will deputise for the Operations Manager and will lead the event operation in conjunction with the Senior Event Designer throughout the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. The role is 80 per cent operational and requires a high level of attention to detail and collaboration with the RBGE sales teams as well as the Operations Manager to regularly review process and procedures.

Heritage portfolio was founded in Edinburgh in 2002 and since then has consistently produced outstanding catering and event services for private party, private dining, wedding and corporate clients throughout the UK. We have also offered exceptional in house cafe services in some of Britain's leading visitor attractions, where we have developed a loyal repeat customer base.

Many of our business clients and venue partners have worked with us, and only us, throughout the past decade and more, because they know they can put their faith in our unwavering commitment to the highest possible standards of cooking, service and imaginative event delivery.

Our mantra is ‘building a business to be proud of’, and as we grow and flourish in the world of bespoke events and weddings, we still remain true to our original ethos: to provide an amazing experience that goes beyond the remarkable food we serve.

Main Responsibilities

What you’ll do

• Drive growth and revenue by developing innovative event offerings, expanding service lines, and building long term client relationships.
• Ensure all events and services meet contractual SLAs, quality standards, and health and safety regulations, maintaining high customer satisfaction.
• Manage financial performance, including budgeting, P and L, and cost control, while identifying opportunities for profitability improvements.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the events team and retail staff, fostering a culture of excellence, performance, and continuous professional development.
• Oversee the full planning and execution of programmed events, ensuring seamless delivery and operational efficiency.
• Cultivate strong stakeholder relationships, promoting Heritage Portfolio as a preferred employer and community partner.
• Implement innovative practices to enhance service quality, sustainability, and operational efficiency across all departments.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, client, and internal policies, including safety, licensing, and audit requirements.
• Manage suppliers, contractors, and external agents to meet contractual and quality standards.
• Develop and execute strategic plans aligned with site objectives, balancing operational priorities with growth and brand reputation.

The Ideal Candidate

What you bring:

• High standard of literacy and numeracy
• Expertly manage senior and often challenging client relationships
• Highly developed verbal and non verbal communication skills
• Extensive experience in delivering high quality hospitality operations
• Proven experience in managing P and L accounts and driving profitability
• Proven operational knowledge, skills and experience in managing multi site/multi service operations
• Manage multiple workloads and shifting priorities
• Deliver excellence in operational service standards and customer satisfaction
• Demonstrate resilience when faced with multiple business challenges
• Ability to interpret and utilise complex and varied financial and commercial information
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers, clients and employees at all levels
• Achieve set, standards and operate to performance criteria, for example health and safety, hygiene
• Self motivated and able to work on own initiative within a team environment
• Travel and overnight stays will be required to undertake training and business requirements
• To relieve and assist in other establishments in certain circumstances.
• To attend meetings and training courses as requested.

Join Heritage Portfolio and Sodexo Live!for a fulfilling career where your individuality is celebrated, your impact is valued, and your development is supported. We’re more than a team — we’re a community of experience makers.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, offering an interview scheme for qualified candidates with disabilities.

Be part of a forward thinking organisation where “Never Standing Still” is more than a motto — it’s how we thrive. Apply now and take the next step in your operations career.