Food & Beverage Director

Olympia Events is more than an exhibition venue, conference centre and live‑event space – it’s an inspiration. Against a backdrop of grand Victorian architecture, the seven connected spaces inspire engagement and enjoyment. Olympia Events is recognised in the industry for exceptional levels of customer service and support, and our numerous awards are testament to our clients' satisfaction. Beyond the walls of our venue, Olympia is on the ground, working to invest in people, strengthen our communities, and protect the environment. Olympia Events is undergoing a period of change. In 2017, the venue was bought by a consortium led by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International. Work is currently underway to transform the wider estate into a cultural hub of which Olympia Events will be the central part. Once complete, the estate will include a new theatre, music venue, two hotels, over 30 eateries, world‑class office space and over two acres of public realm.

About The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role presents a unique opportunity to drive transformational change and optimise revenue streams in the food and beverage space at Olympia Events. In this role, you will be responsible for the overall running of the Catering offer for the Events business, driving quality and service standards to the highest level and promoting innovation and product development. You will lead a team, maintaining close controls on both product and labour whilst ensuring exemplary customer satisfaction. You will be an experienced, creative, commercially aware senior leader with a strong track record in delivering successful food and beverage offerings. You will have a deep understanding of food and beverage trends as well as an ability to effectively negotiate with a multitude of suppliers. You will be responsible for structuring and managing the Food and Beverage department so your ability to provide inspirational leadership in a fast‑paced, constantly evolving environment is essential. This position requires a strategic leader with a passion for hospitality and a commitment to excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Working in conjunction with the Legends global team, the Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Human Resources, devise a workforce structure for the F&B department which will be fit for the future and meet the ambitions of the redevelopment before attracting and recruiting a high‑performing team.
• Lead the creation of an impactful, commercially advantageous F&B strategy, optimising all revenue streams and maximising cost efficiencies.
• Work alongside the Finance Director to set and monitor budgets, guaranteeing the operation achieves financial targets of revenue and profit to ensure its ongoing financial viability.
• Undertake market research, forecasting, and competitive analysis to identify new opportunities for maximising revenue.
• Develop and execute innovative concepts and programs to enhance the customer experience and lead the team to ensure a high level of hospitality is delivered across the board.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef, Legends central team and Olympia clients to customise catering menus and beverage offerings based on specific preferences, requirements and market research.
• Work closely with Head of F&B sales to ensure alignment with culinary offers, financial performance and client requirements.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure all marketing for F&B activity is commercially astute, viable and customer led.
• Develop and manage plans, budgets and timelines to ensure efficient and effective execution of F&B initiatives.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef, Head of Retail Heritage Halls, General Managers of ICC & Addison to ensure the standards of F&B offers across all 3 venues are of suitable high standard, aligned and in keeping with the venues.
• Negotiate and manage successful relationships with relevant vendors/sub‑contractors.
• Identify, adopt and implement KPIs and management information for the board to track and measure success.
• Develop and produce regular reports providing a breakdown and analysis of flash sales and wage costs.
• Implement and ensure compliance with health and safety and food hygiene regulations as well as Legends company standards and policies.
• Be laser focussed on the scheduling and efficient use of salaried and casual staff ensuring sufficient cover for events within budgetary parameters.
• Where required, work positively and collaboratively with F&B leads and partners across the Legends family and Olympia Estate to ensure all work and efforts are aligned to the wider destination strategy.

About You

• Proven senior F&B leadership experience within high‑volume, customer‑focused venues, with a track record of developing and successfully delivering F&B strategies aligned to commercial objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead functions from scratch, providing inspirational leadership to recruit, develop and motivate high‑performing, flexible teams.
• Commercially and financially astute, with strong capability in budgeting, margin and stock control, labour management, and real‑time reporting to multiple stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of hospitality trends, food innovation and operational delivery, including catering infrastructure, statutory compliance, food hygiene and health & safety.
• Credible, strategic communicator and decision‑maker, able to influence at all levels, present to diverse audiences, operate under pressure with integrity, and manage sensitive matters discreetly.
• Holder of a Personal Licence.

Sustainability Responsibilities

• Continuously improve your knowledge of Olympia Events’ sustainability programme – the ‘Grand Plan’.
• Complete all training provided and promote sustainability practices to meet our Grand Plan objectives.
• Follow and promote all sustainable workplace policies and procedures and seek ways to make your department more sustainable by taking an active role to initiate change.

Olympia Events is fully committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups) that attend our premises. As a consequence, Olympia Events may require any successful applicant to complete a DBS Check prior to working in our business. Olympia Events is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and expects all its people to have a positive commitment to EDI by treating others fairly and not committing any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment and to promote positive working relationships amongst employees and stakeholders. This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over according to the changing needs of the business.