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- 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: Take ownership of exciting projects and make a real impact in the live events industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in concessions or operational management at large-scale events is essential.
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 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
- 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.
- Duties as Senior Festival Operations Manager will include:
- 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 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 employer: Live Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Live Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Festival Operations Manager
✨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 postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like ours, and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in event management and food & beverage operations. Consider taking short courses or attending workshops to boost your skills and make yourself even more appealing to employers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Festival Operations Manager
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 mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in managing food & beverage operations and any relevant projects that demonstrate your operational delivery skills.
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 at a glance. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity as a Senior Festival Operations Manager!
How to prepare for a job interview at Live Recruitment
✨Know Your Events
Familiarise yourself with the festivals and events the company manages. Research their past projects, especially in food and beverage operations. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that highlight your operational management skills. Discuss challenges you've faced in high-pressure environments and how you successfully navigated them. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety
Brush up on health and safety regulations relevant to large-scale events. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed compliance in past roles, as this is crucial for the Senior Festival Operations Manager position.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's future projects and their approach to client relationships. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.