Operations Director

Package Description

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

• Performance-related annual bonus
• Flexible benefits fund of £1300 per annum
• Contributory pension scheme of up to 6%
• 25 days holiday (FTE) + bank holidays– rising to 28 days after 3 years
• A buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 3 days (FTE)
• Volunteering days via our charity partner STOP HUNGER
• Numerous voluntary benefits, including dental care, gym discounts, retail / hospitality, and many more

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Job Introduction

We have a fantastic opportunity for a talented Director of Operations to join our Sodexo Live! leadership team in the UK&I, working within our Heritage Portfolio business to lead our London cultural venues: Royal Academy of Arts, RAF Museum, Wallace Collection.

The Heritage Portfolio team are committed to never standing still in delivering a level of service that’s personal and bespoke, not a house style - and pride themselves on their creative obsession to deliver remarkable events that are reflective of their clients and their desires.  

At Sodexo Live! we bring people together; we create exceptional moments and lasting memories. We are a unique community of people mobilized to create live experiences that are unforgettable.

In this role you will report into our Executive Director Cultural Destinations with a dotted line to our Commercial Operations Director.

You will lead, develop and manage direct reports across your remit whilst building long-term relationships with clients. You will identify growth and development opportunities within contracts which deliver commercial success and strengthen venue partnerships. Your focus will be to balance operational service excellence with achievement of financial targets.
This will suit an inspiring leader able to drive your team’s performance and also work positively with stakeholders across the UK. Strong senior operational experience will be key to your success.

When you join Sodexo Live! you truly belong, you will have the opportunity to thrive with career and learning opportunities available across the organisation - we cant wait for you to join us! 

Main Responsibilities

• Business, contract delivery and client risks managed in controlled and structured manner
• Positive client engagement via demonstrably strong relationships built on mutual respect and trust
• Financial objectives achieved through management of performance, detailed analysis of monthly results, accurate and considered forecasting, delegation of responsibility to direct reports
• As part of the Cultural Destinations leadership group, build a shared team mindset with venues across the Scotland and London hubs working together
• Identify opportunity to improve performance through shared efficiencies within venue cluster
• Client retention and contract extension opportunities identified and converted through positive working relationships with clients
• Leadership of new bid opportunities in specific sector environments and prospecting of new clients
• Be a recognised leader within the business and respected specialist in specific market sector
• Maintain H&S standards in operations units, meeting venue and company policy/procedures
• Creation of internal networks and forums for sharing best practice at technical, business, sector and client levels
• Maintain high performing teams, demonstrated through annual appraisal, high retention rates, talent and succession planning processes and staff engagement surveys 

For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Good standard of literacy and numeracy
• Experienced in using Microsoft Office
• Proven experience in managing P&L accounts
• 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

Desirable

• IOSH managing safely qualification
• CIEH Level 3 qualification
• A cluster background in the restaurant trade would be highly desirable

About The Company

Venues & events don’t just bring people together, they create exceptional moments and lasting memories. Sodexo Live! delivers exceptional food services and catering, facilities management, event and venues sales support and marketing support.

Sodexo Live! is offering exciting opportunities to work at top venues delivering the highest standard of events across the country. As a company we provide catering on behalf of our clients at prestigious sites and events including Ascot Racecourse, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Brighton AMEX Stadium, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Goodison Park and many more.

To help us deliver the highest quality service we are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. We have a range of positions available to set you off on the right track within Sodexo Live!, so step up to the mark, be more than a spectator and become a part of our team.