Head of Retail and Bars - Charlton Athletic FC

Head of Retail and Bars – Charlton Athletic FC

Head of Retail – Charlton Athletic FC, London | Full-Time / Permanent

Up to £45,000 + 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 strategic Head of Retail to join the dynamic team at Charlton Athletic Football Club – an iconic stadium with a strong blend of heritage and community that offers the ideal environment for entertaining football and first-class food.

As Head of Retail you will lead Charlton Athletic’s Food & Beverage (F&B) retail operations, ensuring excellence in fan experience, commercial performance, and operational delivery across matchdays, non-matchdays, hospitality, and special events.

With a dynamic and growing operation that is 80% liquor-driven, however BIG plans to expand the food offer, you will need to have a passion for great food and service.

If you’re a expert in retail operations, with a background in stadia, brands or large-scale events, this could be your next challenge!

We are Levy. Levy is about elevating experiences. We are a leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest moments that prioritise people and the planet. Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events – including Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

The role

Strategic Retail Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for retail growth across F&B, bars, kiosks, and fan zones.
• Align operational plans with infrastructure projects and club-wide growth.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily operations of all retail functions including hospitality bars, food units, kiosks, mobile bars, and the fan zone.
• Lead stock control, procurement, supplier relationships, and cost efficiency.
• Manage cellar systems and general maintenance across all sites.
• Oversee new and exciting food concepts and launch new food lead offers.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing F&B team (supervisors, casual, and full-time staff).
• Plan matchday staffing effectively to align with match profile and service demand.
• Set and monitor individual and team KPIs.

Financial Performance & Reporting

• Own P&L responsibility for all retail operations.
• Monitor sales, margins, and KPIs, delivering regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure efficient stock management, ordering, and wastage control.

Fan Engagement & Commercial Partnerships

• Work with Commercial & Marketing to drive spend-per-head via promotions and activations.
• Support wider C&E (Conferences & Events) operations with VIP and large-scale events.

Infrastructure & Project Delivery

• Lead retail improvement projects including:
• Coordinate with Facilities and Maintenance to ensure all upgrades and repairs are planned and delivered on time.

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in senior retail / F&B leadership in a stadium, arena, large event, or greenfield setting.
• Proven track record of growing revenue, improving margins, and managing large teams.
• Strong people management and leadership skills across multi-site, high-pressure environments.
• Advanced operational knowledge: stock control, logistics, vendor negotiation, health & safety.
• Resilience and adaptability in high-demand match day environments.
• Excellent communicator with strong internal and external stakeholder management.
• Available to work evenings, weekends, and all matchdays.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary and full company benefits.
• 23 days\’ annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments).
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family benefits: 2 days’ additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby’s first birthday, enhanced family leave.
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships.
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products.
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways.
• Meals on duty included.

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.