Constellation Lead – The Kia Oval
Experience, qualification, and soft skills, have you got everything required to succeed in this opportunity Find out below.
Location: The Kia Oval, London
Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7, including evenings and weekends. Site based.
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Lead the team. Drive the season forward.
We're looking for a dynamic, strategic and hands-on leader to take ownership of Constellation's people operation at The Kia Oval.
With a busy 2027 cricket season ahead, you'll lead the recruitment, planning and deployment of a workforce of up to 1,500+ casual catering and hospitality staff, working closely with Oval Events Limited (OEL), Levy and the wider Constellation team to deliver exceptional operational standards.
You'll manage a team of two Regional People Consultants, drive recruitment and retention, improve workforce efficiency and build a high-performing team that delivers outstanding service across every event.
What you'll be doing
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead the Constellation People Operations function at The Kia Oval, managing, coaching and developing Regional People Consultants.
- Set clear objectives, drive accountability and promote a high-performance culture focused on staff welfare, engagement and retention.
Staffing Strategy & Event Delivery
- Lead recruitment, workforce planning and deployment of 1,500+ casual staff across event and non-event days.
- Work with Heads of Department to ensure appropriate staffing levels and quality across Retail, Hospitality, Culinary, Logistics and Support Functions.
- Drive continuous improvement across recruitment, staff allocation, attendance and operational delivery.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the senior Constellation contact for The Kia Oval client and key stakeholders, building strong relationships and aligning staffing solutions with operational and commercial objectives.
Workforce Planning & Cost Control
- Own labour forecasting, planning and reporting, using data to improve efficiency and control costs.
- Reduce agency reliance by maximising Constellation staff deployment while maintaining service standards and working within agreed budgets.
Compliance, Payroll & Governance
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, health and safety, food hygiene and company policies.
- Oversee staff bookings, time and attendance, timesheets, payroll accuracy and external agency administration.
Engagement & Recognition
- Lead Reward & Recognition initiatives to improve engagement, retention and performance.
- Champion Constellation values, staff welfare and a positive workplace culture.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Share best practice across the venue and wider Constellation team to improve consistency and operational efficiency.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Minimum 2 years' senior leadership experience in People Operations, workforce planning or staffing within hospitality or events.
- Proven experience managing large casual workforces and multi-department operations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop teams.
- Experience managing budgets, labour costs and financial reporting.
- Strong stakeholder management, operational planning and decision-making skills.
- Professional, organised and confident in resolving complex issues.
Personal Attributes
- Energetic, people-focused and passionate about service excellence.
- Resilient, calm and solutions-focused under pressure.
- Approachable leader who drives accountability and builds trust.
- Commercially aware, proactive and a strong ambassador for Constellation and Compass UK & Ireland.
What's in it for you?
- 23 days annual leave plus your birthday off
- Time off in lieu for any additional hours worked
- Flexible approach to working patterns aligned to business needs
- Opportunity to work across some of the UK's leading event and hospitality venues
- A dynamic and varied role where no two days are the same
Working pattern: Predominantly site-based, five days out of seven, including evenings, weekends and some bank holidays. Ad-hoc support at other Constellation venues may be required.
Ready to make your mark? xgikmsk
If you're an ambitious people leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, we'd love to hear from you.
Help us build an outstanding team and deliver an exceptional 2027 season at The Kia Oval!
Constellation Lead - The Kia Oval in London employer: Constellation-Careers
At Compass, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, especially for our Kitchen Porters at Manchester United. With a vibrant work culture that encourages teamwork and a 'can-do' attitude, we offer comprehensive training and exclusive lifestyle benefits to support your health and wellbeing. Join us in delivering outstanding culinary experiences while enjoying flexible working hours across over 5,000 venues in the UK, making every day rewarding and enjoyable.
