At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate retail food and beverage strategy at Excel London.
- Company: Join Levy UK, the premier food and drink partner for major events.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of up to £90,000 plus benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape guest experiences and drive growth in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior leadership within hospitality or food sectors.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
Salary - up to £90,000 per annum plus benefits
We are seeking an exceptional Retail Director to shape, lead and deliver the retail food and beverage strategy, driving premium, branded and franchised concepts that elevate the guest experience and maximise commercial performance.
Role Purpose
Levy UK is the food and drink partner for Excel London, managing and operating all food and beverage activity throughout the venues retail operation. This is a high‑profile, senior leadership role requiring a dynamic, innovative and people‑focused leader with a strong track record in premium food and beverage operations, large‑scale logistics and stakeholder partnership management. The successful candidate will be instrumental in evolving the retail offer, challenging the status quo, and delivering sustainable growth in revenue, margin and reputation across one of the UK’s most important event destinations.
Excel Retail Services – Scope
- 24 boulevard retail units (branded and unbranded)
- Frictionless automated retail store
- In‑hall retail operations (coffee shops, street food and bars)
- Immerse London, including:
- High‑street coffee brand
- Premium street food and bar
- Small plates & wine bar
- Destination restaurant concept
The operation delivers circa £20m annual turnover, with an ambition to grow revenue and net profit over the next five years. Excel London and Immerse London attract over 5.5 million visitors annually hosting over 400 events per year.
Key Responsibilities
- Shape and deliver the retail food and beverage strategy, including franchises and premium brand partnerships.
- Lead innovation across food, beverage and technology to maintain Excel’s world‑class positioning.
- Build and sustain strong, transparent partnerships with Excel London, Levy leadership and external stakeholders.
- Develop, agree and lead delivery of annual and quarterly Strategic Aims with the Excel Retail Board, providing regular progress updates and impact reporting.
- Champion internal coordination, communication and collaboration across the ELH SLT.
- Lead, inspire and align large fixed and variable teams around clear priorities, performance goals and continuous improvement.
Operations Excellence
- Own day‑to‑day operational delivery, ensuring consistent, high‑quality food, service and guest experience.
- Drive operational performance against agreed Excel Retail KPIs, reporting monthly to ELH Food & Drink Operations.
- Ensure operational readiness for all events, activations and trading periods.
- Maintain brand standards, food quality, presentation and service consistency across all retail areas.
- Lead health & safety culture and compliance across the venue.
- Champion sustainability initiatives in partnership with Levy and Excel stakeholders.
- Actively capture, analyse and respond to guest and client feedback to enhance experience.
People & Culture
- Create a high‑performance, values‑led culture aligned to Levy and client expectations.
- Develop engaged, energized and collaborative teams proud to deliver legendary hospitality.
- Work closely with the General Manager to ensure operational consistency and leadership capability.
- Mentor and coach the General Manager and senior leaders for succession and progression.
- Embed open communication, accountability and transparency across teams.
Business Performance & Data
- Ensure excellence in data accuracy across venue systems to maximise E15 Insights value.
- Utilise E15 modelling to drive operational efficiency, performance improvement and growth.
- Partner with Business Transformation, Finance, Culinary, People, BUILT and Sales functions to optimise performance.
- Regularly review Growth Performance Scores and implement targeted action plans.
- Full P&L ownership, working closely with Finance to deliver accurate budgets, forecasts and results.
- Maintain tight control of operating costs while driving revenue growth and margin improvement.
- Build strong commercial understanding and accountability across line managers and teams.
- Use insight‑led decision‑making to identify growth opportunities and improve profitability.
Person Specification
- A passionate hospitality leader with a relentless focus on guest experience and quality.
- Proven innovator, comfortable challenging convention and leading change at scale.
- Inspirational people leader with strong emotional intelligence and communication skills.
- Strong track record in strategic planning, change management and operational delivery.
- Commercially and financially astute, with a data‑driven approach to performance improvement.
- Confident influencer and negotiator with credibility across senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Agile, resilient and adaptable, able to act with pace while maintaining quality.
- Minimum 10 years’ senior leadership experience within a complex, quality‑driven food, drink or hospitality environment.
Retail Director - Excel London NEW Levy Posted today £90,000 per year London Operations employer: Chartwells Independent
Levy UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment at Excel London, one of the UK's premier event destinations. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, we foster a high-performance culture that values transparency and accountability, while providing competitive salaries and benefits. Join us to lead a passionate team in delivering legendary hospitality and shaping the future of retail food and beverage operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Director - Excel London NEW Levy Posted today £90,000 per year London Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Director - Excel London NEW Levy Posted today £90,000 per year London Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Retail Director role. Highlight your achievements in premium food and beverage operations, as well as any leadership roles you've held that demonstrate your ability to drive performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've shaped retail strategies or led teams to success in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We want to know how you lead and inspire teams. In your application, mention your approach to building a high-performance culture and how you've successfully managed large teams in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Excel London.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Retail Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance. Brush up on key metrics like P&L statements, revenue growth, and operational KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial success in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a dynamic leader who can inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performance cultures and mentored others. Highlight your emotional intelligence and communication skills, as these will be crucial in leading large teams.
✨Innovate and Challenge the Status Quo
The company is looking for someone who can drive innovation in food and beverage operations. Think about past experiences where you introduced new concepts or improved existing ones. Be ready to share your ideas on how to elevate the guest experience at Excel London.
✨Understand Stakeholder Management
Building strong partnerships is key in this role. Familiarise yourself with stakeholder management strategies and prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with various partners in the past. Show that you can maintain transparency and communication across all levels.
