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- Tasks: Lead multiple catering outlets, ensuring exceptional food and service while driving commercial performance.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a premium hospitality provider with iconic venues across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, competitive pension, private healthcare, and free staff meals.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and guest experience.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in senior roles, strong financial acumen, and a passion for food and service.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with growth opportunities in a leading hospitality business.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 112000 £ per year.
Location: RHS Garden Wisley
Salary: £80,000 per annum (open to slight negotiation for the right candidate)
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent, 5 out of 7 days per week
As the Account Director of this vast, prestigious, multiple catering outlet venue, you will take on a key leadership role within the team to shape the strategy, deliver exceptional food and service as well as drive the commercial performance of the venue. We require a leader who is confident with implementing processes, comfortable with balancing strategic and commercial decision making and enjoys developing innovative approaches to move the venue forward. In this role, you will be leading a talented team alongside working with senior partners, and you will embody the Restaurant Associates Venues values and cultures as well as implementing processes that will ensure this venue continues to be high performing whilst having guest experience at heart. This is a highly visible, client-facing leadership role where innovation, accountability, and collaboration are key.
What We Offer:
- 27 days holiday bank holidays
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Competitive pension contribution offer
- Comprehensive private medical health care benefits
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
- Free staff meals whilst working on site
- A supportive, values-driven culture within cohesive teams
- Opportunities for growth and development within a national business
- A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector
Responsibilities:
- Lead day-to-day operations across the multiple catering outlets on site, consisting of restaurants, coffee shops, and event spaces
- Take ownership of the full P&L, including forecasting, and financial reporting to internal senior stakeholders
- Co-create and implement strategic plans with RHS Wisley and internal teams to ensure the guests experience the highest standard of food and beverage on offer
- Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, and team development on site
- Deliver and exceed standards in customer service, food quality, and compliance
- Drive sales growth through creative marketing and events planning with an innovative approach to increase potential sales and market position
- Act as the on-site cultural ambassador, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace
- Inspire a team to embody the Restaurant Associates Venues culture and work with the senior operators on site to continue implementing this.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Minimum of 3 years proven experience in a similar senior/regional role.
- Proven experience in previous contract catering, hospitality and/or venue management roles.
- Ideally worked in a similar environment – heritage/culture visitor attraction venue with multiple different food offering operations – grab & go, restaurants, events-based dining such as canapes and bowl food.
- Strong financial acumen and track record of delivering against budgets
- Inspirational leader with excellent communication and stakeholder skills
- Commercially savvy and results-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement along with strong KPI management.
- Passionate about food, service, and guest experience
- Confident, client-facing, and calm under pressure
- Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
About Us:
Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.
Account Director in Hampshire employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Restaurant Associates. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Show us how you embody those values in your leadership style. We love candidates who align with our ethos!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in managing multiple catering outlets and how you've driven sales growth in the past. We want to hear your success stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Restaurant Associates.
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: As an Account Director, we want to see your leadership style shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've led teams and driven success in previous roles, especially in hospitality or catering environments.
Highlight Your Financial Acumen: Since you'll be taking ownership of the P&L, make sure to showcase your financial skills. Talk about your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and any successes you've had in improving financial performance.
Emphasise Guest Experience: We’re all about delivering exceptional guest experiences. In your application, mention specific strategies or initiatives you've implemented that enhanced customer satisfaction and engagement in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Account Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss how you've successfully forecasted and reported financials in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the commercial side of the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you've inspired teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've championed employee engagement and development. This is key for a role that requires you to lead a talented team and foster a positive workplace culture.
✨Be Client-Focused
Since this is a client-facing role, it's crucial to convey your understanding of guest experience. Share stories that highlight your commitment to exceptional service and how you've implemented innovative strategies to enhance customer satisfaction in previous positions.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Restaurant Associates' values and culture before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of providing high-quality dining experiences. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its ethos.
