At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food & beverage operations at major UK festivals and live events.
- Company: Fast-growing events and technology business with a focus on large-scale public events.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy a supportive recruitment process.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting world of live events and festivals.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management within large-scale events or festivals.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
HYBRID WORKING - Are you an experienced live events professional with a passion for large-scale public events, food & beverage experiences and operational delivery? This Senior Festival Operations Manager opportunity offers the chance to take ownership of major live projects within a fast-growing events and technology business.
Lead food & beverage operations across some of the UK’s largest festivals and live events. Senior operational delivery role with ownership of major concessions programmes. Join one of the UK’s fastest-growing live events and event-tech businesses. Working across festivals, fan zones, cultural events and experiential projects, the Senior Festival Operations Manager will oversee end-to-end delivery, supplier coordination and onsite operations while supporting junior team members and driving exceptional client experiences.
THE COMPANY: This fast-growing live events business specialises in delivering large-scale food, beverage and concessions operations across some of the UK’s most recognised festivals, sporting events and cultural experiences. Working with major promoters, venues and rights holders, the business manages end-to-end concessions delivery – from supplier curation and operational planning through to live event management and commercial performance. Projects span major UK festivals, fan zones, experiential activations, sporting events and cultural programmes, with clients including large-scale public event organisers and internationally recognised brands. With continued growth across their festivals and live events portfolio, they are now looking for a Senior Festival Operations Manager to support delivery across some of their most commercially important accounts.
THE ROLE: This is a senior operational delivery role focused on leading food & beverage operations across large-scale live events and festivals. The successful candidate will oversee concessions planning, trader management, operational delivery and onsite leadership across complex, high-volume public events. You’ll act as a key client contact onsite while managing suppliers, stakeholders and operational teams across build, live days and breakdown. Projects include major UK festivals and greenfield live events, requiring someone confident operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with significant operational and commercial responsibility.
- Leading end-to-end concessions and F&B delivery across major live events
- Managing trader onboarding, supplier coordination and operational planning
- Overseeing RAMS, licensing, compliance and health & safety processes
- Managing onsite concessions operations across build, live days and breakdown
- Acting as the key operational contact for clients, promoters and stakeholders onsite
- Monitoring trading performance, supplier delivery and operational standards in real time
- Managing operational teams, freelancers and supplier relationships onsite
- Supporting commercial performance including spend-per-head and revenue delivery
- Producing post-event reporting, operational reviews and client debriefs
THE CANDIDATE: To qualify for this Senior Festival Operations Manager role you should have strong experience delivering concessions, food & beverage or operational management across large-scale festivals, outdoor events or public event environments. You’ll come from a hands-on live events background and be comfortable managing complex onsite operations, multiple stakeholders and high-pressure festival environments.
Suitable backgrounds may include:
- Festival Operations Manager
- Concessions Manager
- Event Operations Manager
- F&B Operations Manager
- Site Manager
- Production Manager
- Trader Operations Manager
Experience working with festivals, greenfield events, concessions partners, catering operators or large-scale public events is highly desirable. Candidates must be confident leading onsite delivery and capable of hitting the ground running within a fast-paced operational environment.
As a specialist events recruitment agency we help our clients build the most talented and diverse teams in the UK. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, embracing diversity across all intersecting dimensions, including ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, well-being, abilities and neurodiversity. We are dedicated to ensuring a supportive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations for any reason, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Senior Festival Operations Manager in London employer: Live Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Live Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Festival Operations Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the live events industry. Attend festivals, trade shows, or local meet-ups to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for large-scale events.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your hands-on experience in managing food & beverage operations at festivals. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in high-pressure environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Make sure to check out our listings and apply directly to increase your chances of landing that Senior Festival Operations Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Festival Operations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Events: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for live events shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your love for large-scale public events and how you've contributed to their success.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to align your past roles with the responsibilities listed in the job description. Highlight your experience in food & beverage operations and operational delivery to show us you're the perfect fit for this Senior Festival Operations Manager role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills related to managing complex onsite operations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Live Recruitment
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s past events and projects. Familiarise yourself with their major festivals and live events, especially focusing on their food and beverage operations. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Festival Operations Manager, you'll be leading teams and managing multiple stakeholders. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed complex operations under pressure. Highlight your ability to support junior team members and drive exceptional client experiences.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments. Think of specific instances where you had to manage unexpected challenges during an event. Discuss how you handled the situation, what actions you took, and the outcomes.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Since the role involves overseeing health and safety processes, brush up on relevant regulations and compliance standards in the events industry. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured safety and compliance in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the position.