At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop catering accounts, ensuring outstanding food and service experiences.
- Company: Award-winning contract caterer focused on great food and service.
- Benefits: Free meals, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, paid volunteering, and career development.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the hospitality industry.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior operations or account director roles in hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Lexington is an award‑winning contract caterer that focuses on providing great food and service to customers. To do this we need fabulous people and we work hard to create an environment where our team members feel engaged, inspired, valued and enjoy what they do.
What you’ll be doing… We are currently looking for an experienced Catering and hospitality account director who will lead and develop the catering and hospitality account to deliver outstanding food, service and client experiences, whilst maximising operational efficiency, commercial performance and long‑term contract retention. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across all areas of the account, including hospitality and events, fine dining, vending, café and the staff restaurant.
- Client relationship and account management: Act as the primary point of contact for the client, building strong, trusted relationships at all levels. Ensure delivery of all contractual obligations, service level agreements and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Operational leadership: Lead and oversee day‑to‑day operations across the account, ensuring consistently high standards in food, service and site presentation. Drive operational excellence across hospitality (including fine dining and events), cafés, staff restaurants and retail where applicable.
- Financial and commercial management: Own the commercial performance of the account, typically with a turnover in the region of £7m. Prepare, agree and manage annual budgets, forecasts and growth strategies with directors and clients.
- People leadership and culture: Lead, motivate and inspire managers and teams across the account (for example, circa 110 colleagues across multiple departments). Conduct regular Talent Toolbox reviews and target setting, ensuring performance issues are addressed promptly and constructively.
- Compliance, safety and quality: Ensure full compliance with all statutory and company policies, including health and safety, food safety, allergen management, COSHH and employment legislation. Champion and monitor health and safety, food hygiene, environmental management systems (EMS) and human resources (HR) procedures across site.
- Innovation, improvement and change: Drive innovation in food, service style, technology and guest experience across the account and wider business. Encourage teams to identify improvements and bring forward solutions, not just problems.
Experience and knowledge
- Essential: Proven experience in a senior operations or account director role within contract catering, hospitality or a related service sector. Experience leading multi‑site or large single‑site operations with significant financial turnover (for example, £8m–£12m). Strong understanding of the business and industry (B&I) food‑service sector, with exposure to hospitality, fine dining, cafés and staff restaurants. Demonstrable track record of client relationship management and contract retention. Strong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, P&L ownership and performance analysis. Experience managing complex HR processes (for example TUPE, restructures, changes to terms and conditions, redundancies). Proven experience in recruitment, development and performance management of managers and large teams.
- Desirable: Experience in commercial hotels or restaurants. Experience of major mobilisations or flagship site management. Formal catering or hospitality qualification, or equivalent experience. Strong understanding of experiential service to a high level.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!
- 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 – 28 days of holiday, and after two years, enjoy even more with 31 days.
- 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.
- Wellbeing first – mental health support and wellbeing perks.
- Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
- Exclusive discounts – save on entertainment, leisure, and even travel!
Account Director - Moorgate, London employer: Lexington-Catering
Lexington is an exceptional employer located in Moorgate, London, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture where team members feel valued and inspired. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the company offers numerous benefits including flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for career development, all while providing delicious meals during shifts. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that prioritises wellbeing and innovation in the catering and hospitality sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director - Moorgate, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your insights and experiences in account management and operational leadership. This is your time to shine and demonstrate how you can bring value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for Account Directors and practice your responses. Think about how your past experiences align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, especially around client relationships and financial management.
✨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 fabulous team at Lexington. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director - Moorgate, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Account Director role. Highlight your experience in catering and hospitality, especially any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you've driven success in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lexington-Catering
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Lexington's values and their approach to catering and hospitality. Familiarise yourself with their key services and recent achievements. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Account Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed client relationships, and driven operational excellence in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Since the role involves managing significant budgets, brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and P&L ownership. Highlight any successful strategies you've implemented to improve financial performance in past positions.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Lexington values a positive work environment, so be sure to convey your passion for team engagement and development. Share your thoughts on fostering a supportive culture and how you've motivated teams in the past. This will help demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company as well.
