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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire high-performing teams while driving business growth and client relationships.
- Company: Join Compass Group Plc, a global leader in food and support services.
- Benefits: Enjoy exclusive travel discounts, cinema ticket savings, wellness classes, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape a culture of excellence and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years of director-level experience in catering or hospitality with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth through our Career Pathways programme.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a people-first leader with a passion for developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of growth? We are seeking an exceptional Strategic Account Director to lead our catering operations, not just by driving performance but by inspiring the people behind it. In this strategic leadership role, you will guide a diverse team across multiple contracts, nurturing talent, building strong client relationships, and driving sustainable business growth. Your leadership will shape a culture of excellence, where people thrive and partnerships flourish.
Who we are ... Compass Group Plc is a £20 billion turnover, global organisation and the world's leading provider of food and support services. With operations across seven key business areas (Foodservice; Support Services; Business & Industry; Healthcare & Seniors; Education; Sports & Leisure; and Defence, Offshore & Remote), Compass serves customers in offices and factories; schools and universities; hospitals and senior living communities; major sports and cultural venues; remote mining camps and even offshore platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Inspire and Lead Teams: Build and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture where people thrive and deliver exceptional service.
- Drive Growth: Strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities to expand business across contracts.
- Elevate Performance: Champion operational excellence, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance.
- Lead Financial Success: Oversee budgets and performance metrics to achieve profitability targets.
- Foster Innovation: Encourage continuous improvement and adaptability across all levels of the organisation.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, guide, and motivate teams.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships at all levels.
- Strategic thinker focused on efficiency, profitability, and innovation.
- Expertise in budget management, financial analysis, and cost control.
- In-depth knowledge of food safety, health and safety regulations, and operational compliance.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-centric environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.
What You Bring
- 3+ years experience at director level within a contract catering, hospitality or leisure business.
- A proven track record of leading and inspiring teams in a multi-site operational environment.
- Experience in managing and growing client relationships and delivering on service excellence.
- A collaborative leadership style focused on coaching, performance development, and inclusive decision-making.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with a practical understanding of budgeting and cost control.
- Knowledge of health, safety, and food safety regulations, with a passion for high standards.
What you get
- We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- 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.
- Regular emails filled with the best discounts and savings available.
- Receive Wow Points every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands.
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes.
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways programme.
- Compass exclusive offers on PerksAtWork.
Strategic Account Director employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Account Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. 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 leadership style. This will help you showcase how you can inspire teams and drive growth, making you a standout candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it relates to the role of Strategic Account Director. Highlight your successes in leading teams and managing client relationships, as these are key to landing the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications from passionate candidates who want to make a difference. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style. We want to see how you inspire and motivate teams, so share specific examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past.
Tailor Your Experience: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your experience to match the job description. Focus on your achievements in managing client relationships and driving growth, as these are key for us at Compass Group.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your skills and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Leadership Style
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed high-performing teams in the past.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Compass Group's operations and key business areas. This knowledge will help you discuss how you can drive growth and elevate performance across multiple contracts during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully managed client relationships or led teams through challenges, showcasing your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with budget management and financial analysis. Highlight specific instances where your decisions positively impacted profitability, demonstrating your strong commercial understanding.