At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and strategy for venues across Scotland and the North of England.
- Company: Join Freemans Event Partners, a leader in event management and hospitality.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, life cover, pension scheme, and healthcare cash plan.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and networking.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of major sporting events and drive regional growth.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and operational experience in venues or events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Head of Venues North is a senior operational and strategic leadership role within Freemans Event Partners, responsible for driving performance, growth, and relationship management across Scotland and the North of England. Based at Murrayfield Stadium, the role serves as FEP’s senior on-site representative for its key partner, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), and works closely with Elior’s director-level leadership. You will also be required to travel to our head office in Gloucester at least once a week.
The Head of Venues North ensures high-quality operational delivery on major match days and leads continuous improvement in venue standards, processes, and team capability. The role also provides leadership, coaching, and development to the region’s Venue Managers, ensuring they are equipped to deliver exceptional operational performance and uphold FEP standards. A key focus of the role is regional growth, mapping the northern events landscape, identifying new venue opportunities, supporting business development efforts, and creating a structured expansion plan for the region.
This role works closely with Freemans internal teams, including Operations, Commercial, F&B, Brand Partnerships, Food Service, Marketing, and FEP Pay, to ensure regional alignment with company-wide objectives.
Job Requirements
- Essential Criteria
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Experience working within venues, events, hospitality, or large-scale operational environments
- Proven ability to support and develop operational teams
- Experience dealing with high-profile partners or rights holders
- Experience contributing to regional planning, growth, or business development activities
- Skills & Knowledge
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify new business opportunities
- Skilled in building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships (SRU, Elior, etc.)
- Highly organised and proactive, able to deliver long-term regional development plans
- Able to work effectively under pressure on major match days and large events
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the region
- Personal Attributes
- Hard-working, reliable, and solutions-focused
- Honest, authentic, and able to build trust quickly
- Positive attitude with a willingness to lead from the front
- Enjoys a fun but professional working environment
- Ambitious and motivated to support the growth of FEP in the North
- Desirable Criteria
- Experience developing multi-venue operational plans
- Understanding of the events landscape within Scotland or the North of England
- Experience supporting commercial tenders or new venue acquisition
- Knowledge of cross-divisional event operations (catering, bars, concessions, partnerships)
- Experience improving operational standards across complex or high-volume venues
Job Responsibilities
- Leadership & Partner Management
- Act as the senior FEP representative at Murrayfield Stadium
- Build and maintain strong relationships with SRU, Elior, and other venue stakeholders
- Represent FEP in a professional, engaged, and trustworthy manner
- Lead operationally on major match days, ensuring best-in-class delivery
- Support & Development of Venue Operations
- Work closely with the Venue Manager on planning, operational goals, and team development
- Develop, coach, and mentor Venue Managers across all northern venues
- Help improve standards, processes, and performance across the Murrayfield operation
- Identify and resolve operational pinch points
- Support the development of a cleaner, more organised, and more effective venue operation
- Northern Region Growth & Planning
- Map the events landscape across Scotland and the North of England
- Identify new venue opportunities, potential partners, and commercial growth avenues
- Develop a structured regional growth plan with clear milestones
- Support business development with insight, introductions, and regional knowledge
- Collaboration & Internal Alignment
- Attend HQ in Gloucester every Monday during the first year to support integration with central teams
- Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Catering, Bars, and Concessions divisions
- Collaborate with Brand Partnerships, Food Service, Marketing, and FEP Pay
- Support cross-divisional initiatives to strengthen brand presence, revenue opportunities, and customer experience
- Provide consistent communication to senior leadership on progress, opportunities, and risks
Job Benefits
- 28 days holiday allowance, plus bank holidays on top.
- Life cover, company pension scheme and employee assistant programme.
- Access to our healthcare cash plan reimbursing the costs of dental treatments, optical and more!
- The opportunity to earn some extra cash by using our refer a friend programme.
- Fortnightly lunches and regular social activities, plus the opportunity to be involved in some of the UK’s most prestigious sporting events and festivals.
Head of North Operations - Venues employer: Freemans Event Partners
Freemans Event Partners offers an exciting opportunity to work as a VIP Host at the prestigious Silverstone event, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional hospitality. With onsite camping, hot meals, and excellent facilities provided, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that values enthusiasm and customer service excellence. This role not only allows you to engage with VIP guests in a vibrant atmosphere but also provides a unique chance for personal growth and memorable experiences at one of the UK's most iconic sporting venues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of North Operations - Venues
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the events and hospitality scene. Attend industry meet-ups, conferences, or even local events to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to chat about your experience! When you land that interview, be prepared to discuss how your leadership skills can drive performance and growth. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your knowledge of the northern events landscape! Research venues and events in Scotland and the North of England, and come armed with ideas on how you can help identify new opportunities for growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Freemans Event Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of North Operations - Venues
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. We want to see how you've influenced teams and managed relationships in previous roles, especially in venues or events.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to make your achievements stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freemans Event Partners
✨Know Your Venues
Before the interview, do your homework on the venues in Scotland and the North of England. Familiarise yourself with their operations, strengths, and any recent events they've hosted. This will show your potential employer that you're genuinely interested and have a solid understanding of the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight specific instances where you influenced senior stakeholders or improved operational standards. This is crucial for a role that requires strong leadership presence and the ability to develop others.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships. Be ready to discuss your experience with high-profile partners and how you’ve navigated those dynamics. This will be key in a role that involves significant partner management.
✨Have a Growth Mindset
Be prepared to talk about your vision for regional growth and how you would approach mapping the northern events landscape. Share ideas on identifying new venue opportunities and supporting business development efforts. This shows that you're not just focused on the present but also on future expansion.
