At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate catering operations at a premier London venue, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join Levy, part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £60,000, career growth, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in hospitality while working with top-tier events and clients.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior catering roles and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Reports to: General Manager
Location: QEII Centre, Westminster
Sector: Conference, Events & Catering
Overview
QEII Taste operated by Levy is the in‑house catering partner at the QEII Centre, delivering exceptional food, drink, and hospitality experiences within one of London’s premier conference and events venues. We are passionate about creating memorable guest experiences through innovative catering, high‑quality ingredients, and outstanding service. Sustainability, wellbeing, and operational excellence are at the core of everything we do, ensuring we consistently deliver best‑in‑class catering across conferences, exhibitions, and banqueting events.
Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality. In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long‑standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events.
We are culinary champions – it’s what we do and it’s what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences. Focused on ‘doing the right thing’ for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.
Role Purpose
The Head of Operations holds a pivotal leadership role, responsible for the strategic delivery and day‑to‑day execution of all catering operations at the QEII Centre. This role ensures that all catering services - from large‑scale conferences to bespoke VIP events are executed to the highest standards. The position combines strategic oversight, financial accountability, and operational excellence, with a focus on delivering outstanding food experiences, driving revenue growth, and leading high‑performing teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning and Leadership
- Work closely with the General Manager to deliver the catering operations strategy in line with venue vision, brand standards, and client expectations
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all catering services
- Communicate strategic objectives clearly to operational teams and ensure effective execution.
- Catering Operations Delivery
- Manage the end‑to‑end delivery of all catering operations across all event styles, including but not limited to conferences, exhibitions, and banqueting, enforcing a high standard of service throughout
- Ensure seamless coordination between kitchen, back‑of‑house, and front‑of‑house teams
- Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and service
- Monitor performance across all event formats and onsite catering operations
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with clients, event organisers, and venue stakeholders
- Collaborate with sales and events teams to translate client briefs into exceptional catering delivery
- Proactively manage client expectations and resolve issues to ensure satisfaction and repeat business
- Represent QEII Taste in client meetings and high‑profile engagements
- Financial Management & Commercial Performance
- Hold financial accountability for the catering operation
- Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance reporting
- Identify and maximise revenue opportunities through upselling and innovative catering offers in partnership with the sales team
- Maintain strict control of labour and operational expenses
- Use data and insights to drive performance improvements and profitability
- Operational Excellence & Efficiency
- Continuously evaluate and improve operational processes to enhance efficiency and service delivery
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and hygiene regulations
- Implement best practices in stock control, waste management, and sustainability
- Leverage technology and systems to optimise planning and execution
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, inspire, and develop a diverse catering team across front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations
- Build a high‑performance culture focused on service excellence and accountability
- Support the team with training and development programmes
- Conduct performance reviews, succession planning, and talent development
- Foster strong communication, openness and collaboration across all teams
- Quality Assurance & Guest Experience
- Ensure exceptional guest experiences across all events
- Monitor client and guest feedback and implement improvements
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and service consistency
- Conduct regular operational reviews, i and service audits
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with all health & safety and food safety legislation
- Promote a strong safety culture across all catering operations
- Maintain audit‑ready standards and ensure team compliance with procedures
- Take personal responsibility for the safety of staff and guests
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in a senior catering or hospitality operations role with financial accountability
- Experience within a large‑scale events venue or conference centre
- Strong background in high‑volume conference, events, or venue catering
- Demonstrable experience leading large, multi‑functional teams
- Strong understanding of premium and VIP catering environments
- Excellent commercial acumen with a track record of driving revenue and controlling costs
- Strong leadership and people development skills
- Experience delivering operational improvements and change programmes
- Excellent stakeholder and client management skills
- Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and compliance requirements
- High level of IT literacy and data‑driven decision‑making
Desirable
- Hospitality or management qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent)
- Experience working within a contract catering or venue partnership model
Head Of Operations NEW Levy Posted today £60,000 per year London Operations employer: Chartwells Independent
Levy, as part of Compass Group, offers an exceptional work environment at the prestigious QEII Centre in Westminster, where employees are empowered to create memorable guest experiences through innovative catering and outstanding service. With a strong focus on sustainability, wellbeing, and professional development, team members enjoy a vibrant culture that fosters growth and collaboration, alongside competitive benefits and the opportunity to work at one of London's premier event venues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Operations NEW Levy Posted today £60,000 per year London Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the catering and events industry. Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for food and hospitality! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and ideas about innovative catering solutions. Let them see your enthusiasm for creating memorable guest experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to sustainability and operational excellence. This will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for and show that you’re a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Operations NEW Levy Posted today £60,000 per year London Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operations role. Highlight your experience in catering and hospitality, especially in large-scale events. We want to see how your skills align with our passion for exceptional guest experiences!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Levy. Don’t forget to mention any innovative ideas you have for enhancing our catering operations.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Operations, leadership is key. Use your application to demonstrate your experience in leading diverse teams and driving operational excellence. We love seeing examples of how you've inspired others to achieve great results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Levy's operations and values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and exceptional service. This will help you align your answers with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, managed large-scale events, or improved operational processes. Be ready to discuss how you inspire and develop your team.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Since financial accountability is key for this role, brush up on your budgeting and forecasting skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously maximised revenue opportunities and controlled costs in catering or hospitality settings.
✨Engage with Client Management Scenarios
Think about how you would handle client relationships and expectations. Prepare to share specific instances where you've built strong partnerships or resolved issues effectively. This will highlight your stakeholder management skills and your ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
