Head of Conference & Events in Manchester

Who we are looking for

Head of conference & events – catering

The head of conference & events is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for the strategic planning, commercial performance, and flawless delivery of all conference and events catering operations. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the guest experience, driving operational excellence, and delivering strong commercial results across a diverse and high-profile events portfolio.

Reporting directly to the food & beverage director, the role has significant influence across operations, people leadership, and commercial performance.

A flavour of the day-to-day

Strategic leadership

• Develop and deliver the conference & events catering strategy in line with wider business objectives

• Identify and implement innovative approaches to event catering and guest experience

• Continuously review operational models to improve efficiency, consistency, and performance

Team leadership and culture

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing conference & events catering team

• Create a culture of service excellence, accountability, and respect

• Conduct regular 1:1s, team meetings, and business reviews

• Provide clear direction, coaching, and structured development pathways

Financial and commercial management

• Manage departmental budgets including forecasting, cost control, and reporting

• Oversee non-F&B purchasing in line with budgets and supplier agreements

• Maximise labour productivity through effective workforce planning and forecasting

• Monitor gross profit, cash handling, and stock control

• Ensure accurate and timely client billing in collaboration with internal teams and third-party suppliers

Sales and commercial collaboration

• Work closely with internal sales teams to support catering-led sales strategies for conferences and events

• Contribute to menus, proposals, and commercial offerings

Event delivery

• Oversee end-to-end event delivery, from planning and setup through to execution and breakdown

• Liaise with logistics and operational teams to ensure seamless delivery

• Undertake duty management and operational shifts as required

Systems and technology

• Act as a super-user for till systems and back-of-house conference & events functionality

• Ensure compliance with workforce management systems for scheduling, approvals, and payroll accuracy

Quality, compliance and standards

• Monitor service delivery against agreed standards and SLAs

• Ensure compliance with company policies, licensing laws, Trading Standards, and EHO regulations

Training and development

• Work with the people team to deliver a robust training and development framework

• Ensure all statutory and bespoke training is completed and recorded

Client and stakeholder management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders

• Act as the primary point of contact for client queries, ensuring service delivery exceeds expectations

Skills and experience

Essential

• Significant senior experience leading conference & events catering operations within a large venue or multi-site environment

• Proven ability to lead and manage large teams through strong leadership behaviours, coaching, and structured communication

• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, labour efficiency, and operational performance

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments

• Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-focused

Desirable

• Personal licence holder

• Experience delivering large-scale or VIP events (500+ guests) from concept through to delivery and evaluation

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary

• Staff meals

• Personal training and development opportunities

• Exposure across the wider business

• Sick pay

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