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- Tasks: Lead multiple catering outlets, ensuring exceptional food and service while driving commercial performance.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a leading premium hospitality provider with iconic venues across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, competitive salary, private healthcare, and free staff meals.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in senior roles, strong financial acumen, and a passion for food and service.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture with growth opportunities in a prestigious venue.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 92000 £ 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.
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.
- 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. We provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK.
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.
Account Director - Wisley in London employer: ESS
Contact Detail:
ESS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director - Wisley in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience with venues similar to RHS Wisley. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved guest experiences in previous roles. We want to see that passion for food and service shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Understand what makes Restaurant Associates tick and be ready to discuss how you can embody those values in your role as Account Director. It’s all about aligning with their vision!
✨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 you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Restaurant Associates. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director - Wisley in London
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, it's crucial to demonstrate your financial skills. Include specific achievements related to budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting to show us you're commercially savvy.
Emphasise Guest Experience: We're all about delivering exceptional guest experiences. Make sure to include any relevant experience you have in enhancing customer service and food quality, as this is a key part of the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨Know Your Venue
Before the interview, do your homework on RHS Garden Wisley and its catering outlets. Familiarise yourself with their food offerings, guest experience initiatives, and any recent news or events. This will show your genuine interest and help you tailor your answers to align with their values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Account Director, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and provide examples of how you've inspired teams in the past. Highlight your experience in employee engagement and development, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since you'll be responsible for P&L management, come ready to discuss your financial experience. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets, forecasted financials, and driven sales growth in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about challenges you've faced in similar roles and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to balance strategic decisions with operational delivery.
