Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic development and drive performance across multiple sites in the catering division.
- Company: Elior, a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK.
- Benefits: Free meals, flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and paid volunteering days.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on enriching lives and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in contract catering and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants!
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced, commercially driven leader from a leisure, hospitality, or high-street operational background to play a pivotal role in driving our division forward. This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-site environment and has a proven ability to deliver profitable growth, operational excellence, and strong client partnerships.
Working closely with the Director of Concessions, you will lead the strategic development of the division, driving performance across existing contracts while identifying and delivering opportunities to grow our contract base. You will shape and deliver an overarching catering strategy, working in partnership with sales, marketing, and menu development teams to introduce innovative service initiatives and compelling food offers that strengthen our market position.
What you’ll be doing…
- Lead the strategic development of the division.
- Successfully manage all aspects of operational excellence and contract delivery.
- Drive financial growth, including accurate forecasting and management.
- Build and proactively maintain external relationships with senior clients to exceed expectations and deliver a value-added service that sustains a competitive industry advantage.
- Support the sales team with site visits, sales presentations, and ensuring bids are operationally sound with deliverable labour structures and commercial models.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and best practices.
- Implement and monitor performance metrics to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
- Manage a high performing GM (and divisional chef where required) team, including forecasting and weekly results review and mitigation planning.
- Due to the nature of this field-based role, you will be expected to travel to sites across the business area (company car provided).
What can you bring?
- Extensive experience in contract catering within a multi-site, senior management role.
- A proven track record of successfully building and maintaining client relationships.
- Demonstrated experience in leading, inspiring, and motivating a large and diverse team.
- Strong influencing and decision-making skills.
- Confidence in financial management, including P&L accountability.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and strategic planning abilities.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!
At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success!
- Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
- Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
- Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
- Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
- Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance.
One small thing— we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day.
And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.
Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people – especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds – hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!
We Celebrate You!
At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.
Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!
Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!
Operations Director in England employer: Elior
Contact Detail:
Elior Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Elior or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Elior’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what we do and how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams and driving operational excellence. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that energy to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re enthusiastic about the role. Plus, it keeps you on our radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in contract catering and operational excellence. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Operations Director at Elior!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior leadership position, don’t hold back on sharing examples of how you've led and inspired teams in the past. We love to see candidates who can motivate others and drive performance!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see your application come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Operations Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like P&L statements and forecasting. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading diverse teams. Share specific examples of how you've inspired and motivated your team to achieve operational excellence. Highlight any initiatives that fostered a culture of high performance.
✨Client Relationship Mastery
Elior values strong client partnerships, so come prepared with examples of how you've built and maintained relationships in the past. Discuss strategies you've used to exceed client expectations and deliver value-added services.
✨Strategic Vision
Be ready to articulate your vision for the division's strategic development. Think about innovative service initiatives or food offers you've introduced before, and how they strengthened your market position. Show them you can think ahead!
