At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate food and beverage experiences at Birmingham City FC.
- Company: Join Levy, a global leader in hospitality, at a transformative football club.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, healthcare, 23 days' leave, and more perks.
- Other info: Be part of a team that prioritises innovation and exceptional guest moments.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fan experiences and hospitality in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale hospitality operations and passion for food.
Full-Time / Permanent up to £70k + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.
We’re looking for a passionate, data-driven leader who can inspire teams to deliver best-in-class food and beverage experiences at Birmingham City Football Club. This role carries full accountability for creating an exceptional matchday and non-matchday hospitality offering that reflects the club’s ambition, heritage, and growing vision—across high-volume kiosks and bars, premium lounges and boxes, major conferences and events, and an expanding fan zone and external estate.
This is a flagship opportunity for a dynamic and inspirational senior hospitality professional, experienced in operating at scale across stadiums, live events, conferences, and complex multi-outlet environments. We’re seeking a true people leader and food enthusiast with the capability to drive consistency, quality, and innovation at benchmark and global standards.
You will be at the heart of the club’s long-term transformation, playing a key role in its journey towards a new Sports Quarter. This includes helping position St. Andrew’s at Knighthead Park as a leading reference venue within the Levy portfolio and across UK and global stadia. Working in close partnership with the club, Levy, and a network of third-party and street food partners, you will lead the evolution of a joined-up, best-in-class hospitality ecosystem. This role is not about maintaining the status quo—it’s about driving new concepts, increasing spend per head, and redefining fan experience across all touchpoints.
The Role
- Planning
- Collaborate closely with Birmingham City FC leadership and Levy stakeholders to define and deliver clear, measurable strategic plans.
- Work with the club and Levy leadership to position Birmingham City Football Club as a flagship, benchmark venue within the Levy portfolio—piloting new concepts, technology, and fan experience innovations.
- Maintain a structured, data-led, and results-driven approach with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Monitor football, retail, and hospitality trends to ensure the club remains competitive at a Premier League and global stadia standard.
- Lead planning and delivery of capital projects, fan experience enhancements, and future-facing initiatives aligned to the Sports Quarter vision.
- Operations
- Own and lead the delivery of exceptional food, beverage, and service standards across a complex, multi-outlet stadium environment.
- Ensure full operational readiness across high-volume matchdays, premium hospitality, conferences, and large-scale external events.
- Lead the continuous evolution of retail, bar, and hospitality concepts to ensure Birmingham City FC is recognised for industry-leading fan and guest experiences—not just matchday execution.
- Coordinate multiple partners, including street food operators and external vendors, to deliver a consistent, seamless experience across internal outlets, fan zones, and external spaces.
- Drive a fan-first, experience-led culture across all teams and touchpoints.
- Maintain best-in-class quality, presentation, and service standards aligned with brand and global benchmarks.
- Oversee supplier and partner relationships to ensure quality, innovation, and cost control.
- Lead health & safety and compliance across all areas of the operation.
- Act as the senior operational link between the club, Levy, partners, and internal teams.
- People
- Build and lead a high-performing, scalable team structure across permanent and event-based workforce.
- Develop and execute recruitment, training, and deployment strategies for high-volume operations.
- Create an engaged, high-energy culture centred on pride, accountability, and delivering exceptional fan experiences.
- Drive performance through clear KPIs, coaching, and succession planning.
- Ensure strong, consistent communication across all levels and functions.
- Recognise and reward performance while fostering long-term talent development.
- Maintain full HR, legal, and compliance standards.
- Financial & Business Development
- Hold full accountability for financial performance across a complex, multi-channel F&B operation.
- Treat the stadium as a multi-channel business, leveraging data, insight, and fan feedback to grow revenue across retail, hospitality, conferencing, and external events.
- Partner with Finance to deliver robust forecasting, budgeting, and P&L management.
- Drive revenue growth through innovation, commercial strategy, and enhanced guest experience.
- Continuously identify opportunities to increase spend per head while protecting margin and quality.
- Build strong commercial awareness and accountability across all departments.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven senior leadership experience in large-scale, multi-site or complex F&B operations.
- Strong background in stadiums, arenas, or high-volume event environments.
- Experience managing diverse, multi-channel hospitality operations.
- Demonstrated ability to operate at scale and deliver against benchmark or best-in-class standards.
- Strong stakeholder management, including working with club executives, partners, and external brands.
- Passion for people development and building high-performing teams.
- Strong food, drink, and hospitality expertise.
- Track record of delivering innovation, change, and business growth.
- Commercially astute with full P&L accountability.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and leadership skills.
- Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-focused.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends aligned to the football calendar.
What You’ll Get in Return
- Competitive salary with bonus and full benefits package.
- 23 days' holiday + bank holidays + birthday off + holiday purchase scheme.
- Healthcare & wellbeing support (Aviva Digicare, Medicash).
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Enhanced family leave benefits.
- Discounts on shopping, entertainment, and fitness memberships.
- Pension scheme & life assurance.
- Ongoing training and career development.
- Meals on duty.
Why Join Us?
Levy UK & Ireland, part of Compass Group, partners with leading venues and clubs like Birmingham City FC to deliver world-class hospitality. This is a unique opportunity to shape a flagship operation within a transformative club environment—working at the forefront of fan experience, innovation, and large-scale hospitality. You’ll play a central role in defining the future of hospitality at Birmingham City FC, helping set new standards for the industry while creating unforgettable experiences for fans and guests alike.
General Manager- Birmingham City FC employer: Compass Group
Levy UK & Ireland, as a leading global hospitality partner, offers an exceptional work environment for the General Manager role at Birmingham City FC. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth, you will be at the forefront of transforming fan experiences in a dynamic and collaborative culture. Join us to shape the future of hospitality in a flagship venue that prioritises innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager- Birmingham City FC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up prepared! When you land that interview, do your homework. Know the club’s history, their recent projects, and what makes them tick. This will not only impress the interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for Birmingham City FC.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! Authenticity goes a long way. Share your passion for food and hospitality, and how you envision elevating the fan experience. Let your personality shine through; after all, they want to see if you’ll fit into their team culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager- Birmingham City FC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for hospitality and football shine through. We want to see how excited you are about creating unforgettable experiences for fans at Birmingham City FC!
Be Data-Driven:Since we're looking for a data-driven leader, make sure to highlight any experience you have with using data to drive decisions. Share examples of how you've used insights to improve operations or enhance guest experiences.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to our needs.
Apply Through Our Website:Make it easy for us to find your application by applying directly through our website. It helps us keep track of all applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Birmingham City FC!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Birmingham City FC's history, values, and recent developments. Familiarise yourself with their hospitality offerings and think about how you can elevate them. This shows genuine interest and helps you align your vision with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've inspired others and driven change in complex environments. This role is all about people, so let your passion for team development shine through!
✨Bring Data to the Table
Since this position is data-driven, prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Think about metrics you've improved or insights you've gained that led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and strategic mindset.
✨Think Fan Experience
Prepare ideas on how to enhance the fan experience at Birmingham City FC. Whether it's through innovative food concepts or seamless service, show that you're not just about maintaining the status quo but are eager to drive new initiatives that resonate with fans.
