Venue Operations Manager

Shack Events

Greater London

Hybrid

GBP 35,000 - 50,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Private Health Care

Gym membership discounts

Laptop & work phone

Flexibility on personal needs

Job summary

A leading event catering company is seeking a Venue Operations Manager in Greater London. This role involves overseeing operational aspects at major venues, ensuring efficient logistics, managing a team, and maintaining client relationships. The candidate should thrive in high-pressure environments, possess strong communication skills, and be ready to engage hands-on with the team. This position requires presence both in the office and on-site, with responsibilities that include planning, staffing, and compliance management. Weekend and holiday work is expected during peak seasons.

Qualifications

Experience in managing teams effectively under pressure.
Strong understanding of logistics and operational compliance.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.

Responsibilities

Oversee operational planning for venue events.
Manage staffing and ensure tasks are executed to standard.
Plan shipments and inventory for events.

Skills

Team Management

Logistical Awareness

Client Relationships

Excellent Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are Shack Events, a leading bar & confectionery operator. We operate at some of the UK’s largest stadia and sporting venues, specialising in serving alternative drinks such as our own kegged spirit & mixers and cocktails, as well as heavily supporting with mainstream draught beer, craft beer and real ale. As of 2023 we also offer confectionery support, including pick & mix, doughnuts, ice cream and popcorn.

However, we haven’t always been in the world of Stadia. Just over 10 years ago we were a small business, ran by two brothers, selling bottled apple juice at farmers markets. Through determination, commitment and ambition from not only the owners of the business, Rich and James, but also through the growing team, we have built a business we are incredibly proud of. And we aren’t going to stop there.

We are an incredibly passionate business, who are always eager to take on a challenge and tackle a new opportunity head on. We see our resilient and dedicated team as our foundation, and our aim is to help guide each and every team member and build their skillsets and confidence. We all work together, from the bar staff to the directors, to get the job done and everybody is willing to get their hands dirty when the time calls for it!

We are proud of our roots and are looking to expand our team with likeminded people, who want to embed themselves into the business and help us grow.

What’s the Role?

We are recruiting for the brand-new role of Venue Operations Manager to join our growing and ambitious Venue Concessions business. The role oversees elements of our largest venues key operational planning. This includes signage, staffing and the core aspects to the operation that are needed for set up and breakdown, such as till plans and kit planning.

We are looking for someone who is confident in their ability to create logistical and pragmatic decisions within our operation, to enable efficiency within our pre event set ups, event days and breakdowns. There will be a heavy requirement for site presence to work alongside our event operations supervisor to ensure our operation is ready to go and up to our standards. The role also requires the need for a strong financial understanding of cost implications, largely focused around payroll and operational expenses. On top of this, the candidate must have a strong understanding of logistics, as they will be responsible for planning the kit on site, and which locations it will be in, they must understand the impacts this has between events (and their switches) as well as the ability to plan cost effective kit drops to site.

Who are we looking for?

The right fit: Personality is key for us and you must be able to thrive in high pressure and fast paced situations whilst maintaining a smile and sense of humour; this is one of our founding principles.

Team Management: You will be line manager to one member of the wider Wembley focused team, our assistant venue manager, who oversees a number of admin based tasks, analysis and has a heavy on site presence. The ability to oversee, train and manage must be a skill you have. You will also be responsible for our light event operations crew on site, and must ensure their jobs have been executed to the highest standard, this includes cleaning, till set ups and the general details on the locations.

Client Relationships: We will require you to build good working relationships with the venue team at Wembley Stadium, ensuring you meet their needs and fulfil requests to a high standard. Their vision is your vision, and Working on new projects requires great people skills; you will be responsible for the nurturing of relationships to ensure our operation is run smoothly with satisfied clients

Logistical Awareness: You will be responsible for planning all shipments in and out of the stadium, and working closely with the event operations and logistics team to ensure the correct kit is being tracked in and out of the stadium. You will also be responsible for making sure we have the correct kit on site, and that you create plans for site with the bigger picture of future events at the forefront of your mind.

Due Diligence & Compliance: Compliance, due diligence and Health & Safety are core components to the role, and you will need to demonstrate the ability to manage all areas of operational compliance.

Hands on approach: The candidate must show excellent communication, collaboration and team player mindset. It’s key you must have a “can do” attitude and are happy to step in and help the team when needed, supporting and guiding them, by being present and hands on. We do not have a strict operational hierarchy, and all management are expected to help their team however necessary, even if this means a more hands-on approach than usual.

Who will you be working with ?

You will report directly to the Senior Venue Manager, working alongside the other members of our dedicated Wembley team, this includes the following team members:

Event ops supervisor (responsible for leading the charge on the set up, breakdown and event days, executing all plans with a team of casuals)
Stock Controller (Responsible for all stock control, orders and plans)
London logistics supervisor (responsible for upkeep and maintenance of our kit)

Your team currently consists of an Assistant Venue manager. You will also work closely with the sites Staffing Manager and the businesses Logistics Team. Your team will often consist of casual staff; you are not responsible for planning the casuals time, or for any formalities around their employment, however you are responsible for ensuring the team on site are being efficient, empowered and upskilled when working alongside you.

Where & when will you be working?

The role will be based between our London office (Dollis Hill) and Wembley Stadium. This is to ensure the day-to-day operations are being managed efficiently, correctly and to the high standards we expect. You will be more office based during the winter months, but we require a strong presence on site throughout the year also. You will be required to work weekends, bank holidays and will be able to take limited holiday between the months of May and September.

Key Responsibilities

Planning kit by location using out bespoke system
On site presence to support the event operations team and manage the detail based jobs
Shipment planning & admin surrounding this
Planning staffing and key timings for events
Till planning
Liaison with key contacts on site

Key Skills