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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver exceptional hospitality-driven events with a focus on premium dining experiences.
- Company: Join Compass, a leader in the food-focused hospitality industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, healthcare perks, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in high-end dining while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Strong background in hospitality and event management required.
- Other info: Enjoy a culture that values diversity and empowers your career growth.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
We are seeking an accomplished Head of Events Operations with a strong background in hospitality, food service, and restaurant-led events to oversee the operational delivery of premium dining and catering experiences. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the seamless execution of food-focused events while maintaining the highest standards of service, compliance, and commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Hospitality & Event Delivery
- Lead the operational planning and delivery of hospitality-driven events, including large-scale dining experiences and high-volume service.
- Oversee front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) operations, ensuring exceptional guest experience and service consistency.
- Produce detailed operational plans, service notes, and staffing briefings aligned with food service requirements.
- Attend site visits, tastings, and client meetings to assess menus, service flow, and operational feasibility.
- Manage supplier relationships for food, beverage, equipment, and logistics.
- Act as the primary operational contact for key clients and hospitality venues, ensuring adherence to venue and food safety standards.
- Team & Staffing Leadership
- Lead, develop, and appraise the full-time operations team.
- Recruit, train, and manage freelance Operations Managers with hospitality expertise.
- Oversee FOH staffing functions, including coordination with staffing agencies and performance feedback.
- Ensure all staff uphold service standards, presentation, punctuality, and brand values within a restaurant-led environment.
- Verify right-to-work documentation and mandatory hospitality training for all staff.
- Financial, Food & Compliance Management
- Maintain responsibility for operational cost control, including staffing, food, beverage, and equipment spend.
- Support gross profit targets through effective planning and supplier negotiation.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, licensing, and risk assessment requirements.
- Oversee training certifications relevant to hospitality operations, including food safety and first aid.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £65,000 per annum
- Senior leadership position within a food-focused hospitality business
- Opportunity to manage complex, high-end dining and catering operations
- Clear scope for professional growth and strategic influence
- Comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Head Of Event Operations employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Event Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality and events industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, highlight your past successes in event operations. Share specific examples of how you’ve led successful events or improved service delivery. This will help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its events. Understand their brand values and what makes their dining experiences unique. This way, you can tailor your answers to show how you’d fit right into their team and culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and updates!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Event Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Events Operations role. Highlight your experience in hospitality and event management, focusing on specific achievements that align with the job description.
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 your passion for food service and any unique experiences that set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior leadership position, emphasise your team management experience. Talk about how you've led teams in the past and the impact you've made on their performance and development.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of events the company hosts. Familiarise yourself with their past events, especially those that are food-focused. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their operational needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Events Operations, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your approach to training and developing staff, as well as how you ensure service standards are met consistently.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in event operations, such as managing supplier issues or ensuring compliance during an event, and be ready to discuss how you handled them.
✨Understand Financial Management
Brush up on your knowledge of operational cost control and financial management within hospitality. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously supported gross profit targets and negotiated with suppliers to keep costs down while maintaining quality.
