At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational performance and strategic direction across multiple venues in the North.
- Company: Join Levy, part of Compass Group, delivering legendary experiences in hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commitment to sustainability, and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of premium hospitality while making a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in high-profile hospitality or events environments required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As Operations Director for the North & Scotland, you will lead the operational performance, strategic direction and client partnerships across several venues in the North/Northwest. This is a senior leadership role focused on driving performance at scale, balancing world class matchday delivery with long term commercial growth, operational excellence and client relationship management. Reporting to the Regional Business Director, you will work in close partnership with Venue Directors/General Managers and central functions to shape and deliver both short-term priorities and long-term strategy, ensuring Levy continues to set the standard in premium sport and hospitality environments.
Strategic Vision & Transformation
- Set and deliver a clear long term strategy for catering and hospitality across conferences, exhibitions, premium and retail operations.
- Lead venue wide strategic planning, ensuring alignment with client ambition, Levy priorities and sustainability commitments.
- Act as a trusted strategic partner to the Client, contributing to broader venue and campus wide discussions beyond catering delivery.
- Use market insight, customer data and competitor analysis to keep the venue ahead of industry trends.
- Present strategic recommendations and investment cases to senior stakeholders, supported by robust commercial and performance data.
Commercial Growth & Partnerships
- Design and execute growth strategies to increase revenue, spend per head and commercial returns across all hospitality formats.
- Identify and develop new commercial opportunities including partnerships, experiential concepts and innovation initiatives.
- Lead strategic pricing, revenue optimisation and margin improvement programmes.
- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Culinary, E15 Insights, Projects and Commercial teams to deliver compelling go-to-market propositions.
- Position the venue as a benchmark venue within the UK events and hospitality market through differentiated commercial strategies.
Strategic Operational Oversight & Guest Experience
- Provide senior oversight and assurance of operational readiness, quality and consistency across all events.
- Set clear standards for food, service, sustainability and compliance, holding operational leaders accountable for delivery.
- Champion a guest-first culture, ensuring hospitality excellence is embedded across the venue.
- Maintain strong governance across Health & Safety, food safety and brand standards.
Performance, Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
- Introduce and embed data-led KPIs to drive productivity, quality and financial performance.
- Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives to simplify ways of working and improve effectiveness.
- Champion the adoption of technology and innovation to support smarter planning, labour deployment and service delivery.
Leadership & Culture
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing senior leadership team capable of operating with autonomy and commercial accountability.
- Shape venue structures that flex to event demand and complexity.
- Mentor future leaders and support succession planning to build long-term resilience.
- Role‑model Levy leadership behaviours, fostering a culture of trust, accountability and innovation.
Qualifications
- Significant senior leadership experience within complex, high‑profile hospitality, events, catering, retail or venue environments, ideally across Stadia.
- Proven track record of shaping and delivering long term strategic vision alongside commercial growth, transformation and operational excellence.
- Experience operating at executive and board level, presenting strategic recommendations, business cases and performance insights to senior stakeholders and clients.
- Demonstrated success leading change programmes, innovation initiatives and growth strategies that deliver sustainable commercial and guest experience outcomes.
- Strong background working within matrixed organisations, collaborating across commercial, operational and functional teams to deliver shared objectives.
- Experience managing senior stakeholder relationships in demanding, high‑visibility environments, acting as a trusted advisor rather than solely a delivery lead.
Knowledge, Skills & Professional Capability
- Highly developed strategic thinking and analytical capability, with the ability to translate insight, data and market intelligence into clear, executable plans.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience building investment cases, pricing strategies, revenue optimisation models and margin improvement plans.
- Confident using data, performance metrics and customer insight (e.g. E15-style analytics) to drive decision making, performance improvement and growth.
- Deep understanding of guest experience design, premium hospitality, retail and event operations within a modern venue context.
- Strong grasp of sustainability, technology enablement and innovation as drivers of long‑term venue performance and competitive advantage.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the credibility to operate effectively at board, client leadership and partner level.
Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Senior, credible leader with the presence and judgement to operate at enterprise level while maintaining a strong connection to delivery standards.
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, able to align diverse teams and stakeholders behind a shared strategic direction.
- Passionate about developing leaders and building high performing, strategically minded teams with strong commercial accountability.
- Comfortable operating in fast paced, high profile environments with competing priorities and complex stakeholder dynamics.
- Resilient, adaptable and forward thinking, with a strong appetite for innovation, continuous improvement and "jumping the curve" rather than preserving the status quo.
- Role models Levy values and leadership behaviours, fostering a culture of trust, accountability, psychological safety and ambition.
Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality. In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, NEC, Aston Villa FC, Scottish Event Campus (SEC), O2 and ExCel London. We are culinary champions – it's what we do and what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service, is key to creating legendary experiences. Focused on "doing the right thing" for our people and the planet. Sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.
Regional Operations Director - Manchester employer: Equipment Sales & Service Limited.
Levy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where you can lead and innovate within the vibrant hospitality sector. With a strong commitment to sustainability, diversity, and employee wellbeing, we provide ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring that our team members are not only part of a high-performing culture but also champions of legendary experiences in food and drink. Join us to be at the forefront of premium hospitality, where your strategic vision will shape the future of our venues and partnerships.
Contact Details:
Equipment Sales & Service Limited. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Operations Director - Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly fits into their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience and how it relates to the role of Regional Operations Director. The more comfortable you are speaking about your skills, the more confident you'll feel during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Operations Director - Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Regional Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in hospitality and operations, and show how your skills align with our strategic vision and client partnership goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style shine through! Share examples of how you've led teams, driven performance, and fostered a culture of accountability and innovation in previous roles.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves a lot of strategic planning and performance metrics, include specific examples of how you've used data to inform decisions and improve operational efficiency in your past experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Levy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Equipment Sales & Service Limited.
✨Know Your Venue Inside Out
Before the interview, do your homework on the venues you'll be overseeing. Understand their unique offerings, client partnerships, and any recent changes or challenges they've faced. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your long-term strategic vision for catering and hospitality. Think about how you would align with Levy's priorities and sustainability commitments. Be ready to present ideas that demonstrate your ability to drive commercial growth while maintaining operational excellence.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Style
As a senior leader, your approach to leadership is crucial. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed high-performing teams in the past. Discuss your collaborative style and how you’ve successfully navigated complex stakeholder dynamics to achieve shared objectives.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key performance metrics and data analysis techniques relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making and improve performance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical capability and commitment to continuous improvement.
