Catering Services Director

Job Introduction

Home of Newcastle United Football Club, St. James’ Park stands as Newcastle's iconic landmark and a premier destination in the Northeast, offering some of the most expansive, state-of-the-art facilities for meetings, conferences, and events of all scales. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a renowned venue celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and prestige.

Sodexo Live! is seeking a dynamic Catering Services Director to lead our top-tier team at St. James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne. In this critical role, you will be pivotal in creating exceptional catering and hospitality experiences that make the venue a sought-after destination. With a clear vision to set the standard in venue experiences, you’ll drive profitability while achieving outstanding results. Leading and inspiring a high-performing team, you will develop and execute a business strategy tailored to evolving client needs, positioning St. James' Park as the pinnacle of event hosting in the region.

This exciting opportunity will suit a highly experienced leader with an exceptional track record in venue leadership. 

We’re experience makers and food fanatics. Our experiences are unique, and so are our people. Bring personality, your background and your desire for delighting others. In return we’ll give you all you need to thrive. Because at Sodexo Live! we’re so much more. Be part of something greater.

Main Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for ensuring that the contract is operated within their contractual terms, have a venue business plan which is reviewed at least quarterly showing key objectives, goals and measures that link to the overall business plan.
• Identify organic growth opportunities through innovation and new initiatives within existing contract.
• Ensure the contract is always performing within the agreed SLAs. 
• Ensure that clients receive services delivered within contractual terms and these are delivered in a cost-effective way.
• Develop strong long term client relationships with multiple clients and agents to enhance the retention of current clients and customers, gain referrals for new business and attract new clients and customers.
• Develop and retain existing client relationships through monthly meetings and quarterly reviews.
• Monitor KPI reporting, reviewing and delivery of content of client meetings.

The Ideal candidate

To deliver the optimum service to a venue that is like no other, and exceed our client’s vision and expectation, you will already have experience of working in a large venue or hotel in a comparable role and be recognized as a specialist in the hospitality industry.  You will demonstrate a high level of thought leadership with a track record of delivering successful events.

You will be passionate about customer service delivery and possess the attributes of a natural born leader, able to inspire large teams to achieve their fullest potential. You will have strong stakeholder management experience and highly developed influencing skills, with the ability to drive change and make things happen.

You will also have:

• Proven experience in managing P&L accounts.
• Advanced client relationships skills
• Highly developed verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Experience in delivering public retail and high-quality hospitality operations
• Proven operational knowledge, skills and experience in managing multi-site/multi service operations
• Management of large and diverse teams
• Manage multiple workloads and shifting priorities.
• 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.

What we offer

In return for your commitment and expertise you will be rewarded with an excellent highly competitive salary plus access to our extensive benefits package, which includes:

• 15% Performance-related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Volunteering days via our charity partner STOP HUNGER
• A flexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise a range of benefits, including Private Medical Insurance (PMI), dental, gym memberships, retail / hospitality discounts, etc.

By joining Sodexo Live! you will be part of something greater, working in an environment that fosters innovation and supports your professional growth.