At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a flagship corporate hospitality contract and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Leading name in Business & Industry catering and workplace hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus structure, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Dynamic opportunity for career progression in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile leadership role within premium environments.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior leadership within hospitality and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
My client, a leading name within the Business & Industry catering and workplace hospitality sector, is looking to appoint an exceptional Account Director to lead a prestigious flagship contract in the City of London. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Account Director to take ownership of a high-profile, multi-service operation delivering premium hospitality, workplace dining, retail and events within a corporate environment. The successful Account Director will be responsible for driving operational excellence, commercial performance, innovation and client satisfaction across the account.
We are seeking a commercially minded and people-focused Account Director with a proven track record in leading large-scale hospitality operations and developing strong client partnerships within the B&I sector.
The Opportunity
As Account Director, you will act as the senior strategic lead across the contract, building trusted client relationships while ensuring operational delivery consistently exceeds expectations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Client Relationship Management
- Building strong, credible relationships with key stakeholders and acting as the primary client contact.
- Ensuring all contractual obligations, KPIs and service level agreements are delivered to the highest standard.
- Leading regular business reviews, presenting operational performance, commercial updates and strategic recommendations.
- Identifying opportunities for innovation, investment and continuous improvement across the account.
- Managing client expectations proactively to maintain outstanding service levels and long-term partnership success.
- Operational Leadership
- Leading day-to-day operations across hospitality, fine dining, events, cafés, staff dining and retail services.
- Driving high standards across food quality, presentation, customer service and overall guest experience.
- Developing annual business plans and operational strategies aligned to both client and company objectives.
- Ensuring all sites operate in line with company procedures, compliance standards and brand expectations.
- Supporting engaging marketing and promotional initiatives across the operation.
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Taking full ownership of the account's commercial performance and financial delivery.
- Managing budgets, forecasts and growth plans to maximise profitability and operational efficiency.
- Monitoring labour, GP, sales performance and overhead controls to ensure strong financial performance.
- Ensuring accurate reporting, invoicing and financial administration across the contract.
- Driving organic growth opportunities through upselling, innovation and service development.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Leading, motivating and developing large multi-site teams within a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Recruiting, coaching and mentoring managers to build engaged, high-performing teams.
- Managing talent development, succession planning and performance management processes.
- Creating a positive and collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and employee engagement.
- Encouraging innovation and empowering teams to contribute ideas and solutions.
- Compliance & Standards
- Ensuring full compliance across health & safety, food safety, allergen management, COSHH and employment legislation.
- Driving best practice across operational governance, HR and environmental management procedures.
- Managing internal and external audits successfully and ensuring all action plans are delivered.
- Maintaining exceptional standards across all aspects of food, hospitality and workplace experience.
- Acting as a visible leader and role model across the operation.
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- Proven experience operating at senior leadership or Account Director level within Business & Industry catering or workplace hospitality.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing large-scale P&L accounts.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- A strong background in premium hospitality and multi-site operations.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams within complex environments.
- Excellent knowledge of compliance, food safety and operational standards.
- A proactive, innovative and solutions-focused leadership style.
What's On Offer
- Opportunity to lead a flagship corporate hospitality contract within the City.
- Competitive salary and bonus structure.
- Excellent benefits package.
- Career progression with a leading hospitality and workplace services business.
- A dynamic and high-profile leadership opportunity within a premium client environment.
Account Director - Contract Catering in London employer: The Berkeley Scott Group
Join a leading name in the Business & Industry catering sector, where as an Account Director, you will thrive in a dynamic and prestigious corporate environment in the City of London. With a focus on operational excellence and client satisfaction, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package, and ample opportunities for career progression within a supportive and innovative work culture that values employee engagement and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director - Contract Catering in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in leading large-scale operations and building client relationships, as these are key for the Account Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications all in one place!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director - Contract Catering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Account Director. Highlight your experience in managing large-scale hospitality operations and building strong client relationships, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your commercial acumen and leadership style. Tell us how you've driven operational excellence and client satisfaction in previous roles.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Include specific examples of how you’ve improved performance or led successful projects in the B&I sector.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Berkeley Scott Group
✨Know Your Client Inside Out
Before the interview, do your homework on the company and its clients. Understand their values, recent projects, and any challenges they might be facing in the B&I sector. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in their operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff, handled conflicts, and driven operational excellence. This will highlight your capability to lead multi-site operations effectively.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Since the role involves managing P&L accounts, come ready to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you've maximised profitability and improved financial performance in previous roles. This will show that you understand the commercial side of the business.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to innovate. Think about past situations where you identified opportunities for improvement or dealt with client expectations. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
