Racecourse Hospitality Operations Lead in Liverpool

Racecourse Hospitality Operations Lead in Liverpool

Liverpool Full-Time 38000 - 38000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Compass Group UK & Ireland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead hospitality operations at Aintree Racecourse, ensuring exceptional service and team performance.
  • Company: Join The Jockey Club Experiences, a leader in race day hospitality.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, healthcare, 23 days leave, and amazing perks.
  • Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team creating unforgettable experiences for customers.
  • Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or food service and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ per year.

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board. Operations Manager - Aintree Racecourse - The Jockey Club Experiences £38000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We are looking for an Operations Manager to join The Jockey Club Experiences at Aintree Racecourse, to ensure the smooth delivery of the day-to-day and race day hospitality operations within unit to our clients and customers whilst managing the business needs and performance standards.

About Us: Jockey Club Experiences was formed in 2026 (following a rebrand of Jockey Club Catering, founded in 2009) and continues to provide outstanding catering, hospitality and customer service at all of The Jockey Club's racecourses nationwide and has a portfolio of 15 racecourses delivering catering to over 333 race days a year. Jockey Club Experiences delivers exceptional race day experiences through great people; and amazing customer service and providing 'Legendary Experiences' to all our customers at our event days.

Who You Are: As an Operations Manager, you will ideally have a successful background in Food Service /Contract Catering/Hospitality/Retail Catering. With previous experience working in a fast-paced environment managing a team as well as supporting the catering, hospitality and events. You will have a flexible attitude towards hours and working tasks. You possess excellent management and communication skills, have a good understanding of financial management, and be able to demonstrate your analytical approach to problem solving. You will have the ability to display a real passion for food and customer service and be financially and commercially astute.

Personal Requirements: As Operations Manager, service will be your focus area ensuring you exceed client expectations. You will thrive on getting the best out of your team and maximising commercial opportunities, ensuring the delivery of the service is exceptional. You will be supporting with the hospitality and fine dining service requirements, our hospitality and meeting room bookings can vary from buffets to fine dining dinners, or canapé receptions. You will be managing and controlling staff levels, while ensuring budgetary requirements are met. The Operations Manager will recruit, manage, train, motivate and appraise staff to promote good employee relations and a fantastic working environment whilst developing a positive team culture within the workplace. By managing and maintaining all the Hospitality areas and equipment you will ensure the working environment is clean and meets Health and Safety legislation. Assisting the General Manager in ensuring all financial targets are achieved, and the preparation of business forecasts. Comply with all Company and client policies, procedures and statutory regulations, including human resources, site rules, health and safety, safe working practices, hygiene, cleanliness, fire, COSHH. This will include your awareness of any specific hazards in your workplace.

Prime Objectives and Responsibilities:

  • Manage the performance of any direct reports.
  • Ensure every team member is given a fair objective performance review and any agreed action is effectively followed up.
  • Attend all regular meetings and ensure that relevant information is cascaded as appropriate.
  • Lead set up on prep days.
  • Support the Deputy General Manager and General Manager to effectively induct, train and develop variable labor in accordance with the needs of the business.
  • Manage the casual team to ensure effective communication.
  • Acknowledge and act upon individual customer needs while observing the standards.
  • Treat all customers and colleagues in a polite and courteous manner at all times.
  • Provide direct liaison with client, customer and sales team to ensure clear communication for each event's needs and expectations.
  • Deal with all customer comments in a positive manner and take appropriate follow-up action, turning any negative customer experiences into positive ones.
  • Support the Deputy General Manager and team in effective liaison with the client to ensure the continual development of the partnership.
  • Ensure day-to-day delivery of catering services as advised to standards set within the business.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform all tasks consistently adhering to the specific standard.
  • Lead by example and ensure members of the team wear correct, full and clean uniform whilst on duty. Actively address all issues related to non-adherence of company standards.
  • Support the Deputy General Manager and General Manager in communicating, motivating and involving individuals within the team.
  • Demonstrate ability to identify training needs and carry out on the job training.
  • Be aware and adhere to statutory, legal and company requirements for: Health and Safety; Food Hygiene; Licensing Laws; Employment Law; Fire Regulations; Sales of Goods/ Trade Description.
  • Report all maintenance issues and hazards as in the company health and safety manual.
  • Attend department meetings and briefings as required.
  • Support other venues within the region and across the country as required.
  • Maximize all sales opportunities through selling techniques.
  • Have knowledge of all unit/ location products and be able to advise the customer in a professional and helpful manner.
  • Support the implementation and monitoring of all company marketing initiatives.
  • Actively upsell each request to maximize revenue and profitability.
  • Maximize sales opportunities that occur within the planning and operations stages of the functions and events.
  • Support General Manager in achieving sales revenue targets for the department/ location and to optimize profitability and efficiency within the unit.
  • Demonstrate excellent control of all operating costs in line with set targets.
  • Minimize operating costs by using all equipment and products in accordance with company and manufacturers' guidelines.
  • Ensure all stock takes are completed to company standards and to set deadlines.

Why Join Us: Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality. We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive. Together, we create unforgettable experiences and shape the future of hospitality.

Medicash - Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children).

Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check.

Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work).

Entertainment discounts - up to 55% off cinema tickets.

Health & Wellbeing discounts - Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%).

Travel discounts - Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia.

Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards.

Meals on duty.

Vodafone discounts.

Pension scheme and Life Assurance.

Employee Assistance Programme.

23 days + BH's and additional day off for your birthday.

2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during first year back.

Competitive and supportive family benefits.

Day off for baby's first birthday.

Holiday purchase scheme.

On-going training & development and career pathways.

Professional subscriptions paid.

Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products.

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!

Racecourse Hospitality Operations Lead in Liverpool employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland

At The Jockey Club Experiences, located at the iconic Aintree Racecourse, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and inclusivity. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and innovation, offering extensive benefits such as healthcare, generous annual leave, and ongoing training opportunities to support your career growth. Join us to be part of a team that creates unforgettable experiences while enjoying competitive pay and a supportive environment where every individual can thrive.

Compass Group UK & Ireland

Contact Details:

Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Racecourse Hospitality Operations Lead in Liverpool

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the hospitality industry, especially those connected to racecourses. Attend events or join online groups where you can chat with folks who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a job fair or a casual meet-up, be ready to talk about your experience in food service and hospitality. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved customer experiences.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email. Mention something specific about the company or the role that caught your eye to show you're genuinely interested.

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to operations management in hospitality. Think about how you would handle various scenarios, like managing a busy race day or resolving customer complaints, and be ready to share your thoughts!

We think you need these skills to ace Racecourse Hospitality Operations Lead in Liverpool

Food Service Management
Contract Catering
Hospitality Management
Team Leadership
Customer Service Excellence
Financial Management
Analytical Problem Solving

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for hospitality shine through! Share specific experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond to create memorable customer experiences. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about delivering exceptional service.

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Operations Manager role. Highlight relevant experience in food service, team management, and financial oversight. We’re looking for someone who understands the ins and outs of hospitality, so make it clear how your background aligns with our needs!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team at Aintree Racecourse!

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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Jockey Club Experiences!

How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you research The Jockey Club Experiences and Aintree Racecourse. Understand their values, mission, and the specific hospitality services they offer. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your background in food service, contract catering, or hospitality. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed teams, improved customer service, or handled challenging situations in a fast-paced environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

Demonstrate Your Passion

Express your enthusiasm for food and customer service during the interview. Share any personal experiences that highlight your passion for creating memorable dining experiences. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you align with their goal of delivering 'Legendary Experiences'.

Ask Smart Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team culture, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you determine if the company is the right fit for you.