Strategic Hospitality & Events Operations Manager

Chartwells Universities; Brighton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways & MyLearning

Digital GP & wider healthcare

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema tickets discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness & mindfulness classes

Share discounts with friends & family

5 days out of 7

Job summary

Sussex Uni Food is seeking an experienced Hospitality Operations Manager to lead conferences, events, banqueting, and delivered hospitality services across the University of Sussex campus.

This highly operational role requires hands-on leadership to manage casual event teams, coordinate logistics, and maintain exceptional service standards in a fast-paced environment. The operation delivers substantial annual revenue through diverse events and catering.

Qualifications

• Proven experience within hospitality operations, conference venues, hotels, banqueting, events, or contract catering.
• Experience leading operational hospitality teams.
• Strong conference and event coordination experience.
• Experience producing quotations and planning hospitality requirements.
• Excellent customer service and relationship management skills.
• Strong organisational and logistical planning abilities.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when required.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Full valid UK driving licence.
• Ability to lift, move, and support the physical setup of hospitality events.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of conference, banqueting, and delivered hospitality services across multiple campus venues.
• Ensure all hospitality bookings are delivered accurately, professionally, and on time.
• Oversee event setup, service delivery, room preparation, clearing, and post-event standards.
• Act as the operational lead for high-profile university functions, conferences, receptions, and VIP events.
• Drive exceptional customer experiences through consistently high service standards.
• Support out-of-hours, evening, and weekend events as required.
• Plan and coordinate hospitality requirements for conferences, meetings, academic events, summer schools, and external clients.
• Produce quotations and event proposals in line with customer requirements and budgets.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, conference organisers, and external customers to ensure successful event delivery.
• Conduct event briefings and ensure all operational teams are fully prepared.
• Ensure venues are presented to the highest standards before, during, and after events.
• Manage the delivery of hospitality services across a wide range of campus locations.
• Coordinate logistics for food, beverage, equipment, crockery, cutlery, and service ware.
• Ensure hospitality orders are delivered accurately and within agreed service times.
• Continuously review service processes to improve efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Recruit, train, develop, and motivate casual hospitality teams.
• Create a positive, customer-focused culture with strong service values.
• Lead by example and maintain a visible presence within the operation.
• Manage staffing levels to meet business demands and event requirements.
• Deliver team briefings and maintain clear communication across all event activities.
• Support the achievement of hospitality revenue and profitability targets.
• Identify opportunities to grow conference and hospitality sales.
• Monitor labour deployment and operational efficiency.
• Assist with menu development and hospitality package enhancements.
• Ensure excellent value for money while maintaining premium service standards.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, health and safety, allergen management, and company policies.
• Ensure all hospitality services operate in line with agreed service specifications and quality standards.
• Monitor customer feedback and implement improvements where required.
• Promote sustainability initiatives, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing practices.
• Drive company vehicles to support movement of hospitality equipment and deliveries across campus and external locations.
• Ensure company vehicles are maintained, safe, and used in accordance with company policies.
• Support operational logistics during periods of peak demand.

Skills

Hospitality operations

Event coordination

Team leadership

Customer service

Job description

Sussex Uni Food is seeking an experienced Hospitality Operations Manager to lead conferences, events, banqueting, and delivered hospitality services across the University of Sussex campus.

This highly operational role requires hands-on leadership to manage casual event teams, coordinate logistics, and maintain exceptional service standards in a fast-paced environment. The operation delivers substantial annual revenue through diverse events and catering.