Reception and Events Manager in London

Full time Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00, with some occasional evening work depending on operational requirements. Competitive salary of £44,000 - £46,000 - negotiable depending on experience.

At Sodexo, we are passionate about our people. We know that our teams are the key to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, customers, and employees. We are looking for an Events Manager to lead the day-to-day reception and events operation on a high-profile client contract. The role is hands-on, with a strong focus on people, service standards and attention to detail across all reception and event spaces.

You will manage a small team and take responsibility for planning and delivering events from start to finish, including high-profile, client-facing activity. Strong organisation, clear communication and the ability to stay calm and focused in a busy environment is essential.

As an Events Manager, you will:

• Manage the day-to-day reception and events operation
• Lead and support a team of five across reception desks and event spaces
• Oversee two reception areas (ground floor and meeting floor), ensuring they are welcoming, professional and well organised
• Plan and deliver events from start to finish, ensuring smooth delivery and high service standards
• Work closely with Heads of Department and on-site teams to support effective communication and delivery
• Manage external meeting spaces using the Desana system
• Use our systems to manage visitor processes and ensure full compliance
• Handle customer feedback and resolve issues quickly and professionally
• Ensure all security, health and safety procedures are followed at all times
• Support, develop and motivate the team through effective leadership
• Manage rotas, holidays and absences to ensure appropriate cover
• Carry out inductions, training and performance reviews
• Maintain service standards and address performance or conduct issues when required
• Produce monthly reports on service performance and team activity

What we are looking for:

• Experience in a hotel, corporate hospitality or similar environment
• Previous experience in reception or customer-facing roles
• Strong understanding of event coordination and delivery
• Experience supervising or managing a team
• Confident, organised and able to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Good IT skills and awareness of health and safety requirements

Why Sodexo? Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it is a chance to be part of something greater. We offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life’s larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
• Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
• Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
• Sodexo UK and Ireland enhanced benefits and leave policies

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins. We are a Disability Confident Leader employer, committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.