At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce planning and staffing for exciting events at Ascot Racecourse.
- Company: Join Sodexo Live!, a leader in hospitality and event management.
- Benefits: Up to £44,000 salary, performance bonus, health support, and flexible working.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of prestigious events and make a real impact on guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing casual workforces and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 44000 £ per year.
Location: Royal Ascot, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX with travel to off-site events
Salary: Up to £44,000 + up to 10% performance bonus
Working Hours: 40 hours / Mon-Fri with requirements to support Weekend Racedays & Events
Due to continued business growth and an expanding events portfolio, Sodexo Live! have an exciting opportunity for a People Operations Manager – Events to join our team at Ascot Racecourse, supporting the delivery of some of the UK’s most prestigious sporting and hospitality events. This is a fast-paced and varied operational role where you will take ownership of workforce planning and people operations across off-site events and support Racedays.
You will play a key role in delivering exceptional guest experiences by ensuring staffing plans are efficient, commercially focused, and aligned to operational needs. Working closely with operational leaders, agency partners, and key stakeholders, you will oversee labour planning, staffing delivery, labour forecasting, recruitment support, and workforce performance across a diverse events portfolio. You will also lead and develop a small event staffing team, driving high standards, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. You will be accountable for managing people related budgets for key events and will need to ensure you are driving commerciality. This role will involve weekend working, travel to off-site events, and flexibility during peak event periods, particularly throughout the summer season. Some events may require overnight stays or extended periods away from home.
To succeed you will have strength of character, meticulous attention to detail and a passion for driving Service Excellence through people. If you thrive in fast-paced, diverse operational environments, enjoy leading people, and want to be part of an exceptional portfolio of prestigious events, we’d love to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
- Lead all aspects of labour planning and workforce delivery for allocated events and operational functions
- Produce accurate staffing forecasts aligned to budgets, operational requirements, and commercial targets
- Manage and develop a small People Operations/Event Staffing team
- Build strong relationships with operational managers, agency partners, and key stakeholders
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of direct hire and casual event staff
- Monitor labour productivity, staffing costs, and event KPIs to drive operational efficiency
- Oversee timesheet accuracy, payroll support, purchase orders, and labour reporting
- Support live events both on-site and off-site, ensuring staffing challenges are resolved effectively
- Drive continuous improvement across workforce planning systems, reporting, and processes
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, HR policies, and health & safety standards
- Support the development of a casual workforce and drive organic growth within the team
What You Bring
- Experience managing large-scale casual or temporary workforces within hospitality, events, leisure, or service-led environments
- Strong labour planning, scheduling, and forecasting experience
- Confident people manager with the ability to coach and support teams
- Commercially aware with experience managing labour costs and staffing productivity
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced operational environment
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience using workforce planning or time and attendance systems such as Humanforce is desirable
- Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel to event locations
What We Offer
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
- A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities
- Flexible and dynamic work environment
- Competitive compensation
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.
About Sodexo Live! At Sodexo Live! our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
People Operations Manager - Events in Ascot employer: Sodexo
Sodexo Live! is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant setting of Ascot, offering a dynamic work environment where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, competitive compensation, and extensive growth opportunities, team members are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to prestigious events that create memorable experiences. The inclusive culture and commitment to diversity ensure that every voice is valued, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about service excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Manager - Events in Ascot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the events industry. Attend local meetups, join online forums, or even hit up social media groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that People Operations Manager gig!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience in managing large-scale workforces and how you've driven operational efficiency in past roles. We want to see your passion for service excellence shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible and ready to adapt! This role involves weekend work and travel, so make sure you're prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to jump into action during peak event periods. Show them you’re all in for the exciting challenges ahead!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Sodexo Live! team. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Manager - Events in Ascot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing large-scale workforces and any relevant events or hospitality background. We want to see how you fit into our fast-paced environment!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your organisational skills and ability to work under pressure. Mention any experience with labour planning and forecasting, as these are key to the role. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their strengths clearly!
Be Personable:Since this role involves a lot of people management, let your personality shine through! Share examples of how you've built strong relationships with teams and stakeholders in the past. We’re all about collaboration here at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, research the types of events Sodexo Live! manages, especially at Ascot. Familiarise yourself with their recent events and any unique challenges they faced. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a People Operations Manager, your ability to lead and develop teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed large-scale workforces in the past. Highlight your coaching techniques and how you've driven performance in fast-paced environments.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time situations. Think about potential staffing challenges during peak events and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Understanding labour costs and operational efficiency is key for this role. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous positions. Show that you can balance quality service with cost-effectiveness, which is vital for driving commercial success.
