The Roof Gardens (Kensington, W8 5SA)
Chief Operations Officer
Robert Walters is proud to be retained on an exclusive basis to supply a new Chief Operations Officer to The Roof Gardens.
This executive role, reports directly into The Roof Gardens’ CEO and takes full responsibility for commercial output, strategy and performance across F&B Operations, Memberships and Events. The postholder will work in a visible and hands-on capacity to quickly assess and remedy challenges, whilst also shaping and implementing mid and long-term operational strategies and supporting wider initiatives in partnership with Marketing, Technology, Finance, Building compliance and other functions.
This truly iconic and prestigious multi-site hospitality venue is steeped in prestige and now redeveloped is entering into a new era, re-defining aspirational experiences for its members and their guests.
I am seeking conversations with candidates from deep, multi-site, membership-based, hospitality environments, who can talk comprehensively around their skills in managing change, be this tactical or strategic. The Roof Gardens has ambitions growth plans, so adaptability and versatility is key.
Along with an ability to operate at pace and with authority, the selected candidate will have exemplary business and executive engagement skills, strong abilities running diverse projects/ programmes and proven commercial capabilities. This is a hands-on, commercially led, leadership role, which will see the COO take a proactive view on the brands ongoing development and expansion (akin in many ways to that of a scale up/ start-up business; dynamic, fast paced, all hands to the pump etc,).
The selected candidate will run point, driving the executive operations team, ensuring commercial and ops functions are fully aligned and standards are met, ultimately guaranteeing The Roof Gardens member’s always have the most exceptional experiences.
Responsibilities will include:
- Lead commercial strategy, driving revenue across F&B, ticketed events, partnerships, and sponsorships.
- Develop business plans, growth strategies, and operational frameworks aligned with expansion goals.
- Collaborate on budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance, including full P&L responsibility.
- Build and manage relationships with partners, investors, and creative collaborators.
- Implement scalable systems and processes across operations, production, logistics, and commercial functions.
- Monitor performance against targets and implement actions to maximise revenue across all operating areas.
- Lead and champion service excellence across all Club spaces, ensuring a consistently high member experience.
- Collaborate with Marketing to support revenue-generating initiatives through strong communications and campaigns.
- Optimise F&B operations, service flow, systems, and team structures to support efficient seven-day operations within licensing requirements.
- Oversee procurement and management of operational equipment within budget.
- Ensure the F&B offering reflects quality, seasonality, and provenance in collaboration with the Chef Director.
- Support the successful delivery of events and member experiences with the Events and F&B teams.
- Ensure compliance with licensing, fire safety, and crowd management regulations.
- Review member and guest feedback and implement improvements where required.
- Promote a leadership culture focused on service excellence, collaboration, accountability, and employee engagement.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and objective setting with direct reports to support development and clear communication of Club priorities.
- Encourage strong cross-departmental collaboration and communication to support the Club’s overall strategy.
Required exposure and experience;
- Multi-site experience within luxury hospitality preferrable in a member’s club setting
- Proven commercial track record, driving revenue growth and profitability in high-end, multi-site businesses
- hands-on leadership experience requiring both strategic thinking and operational credibility
- Experience in licensing regulations, facilities management, or site operations is advantageous
- Track record of building and retaining high-performing leadership teams
- Confident executive presence with the ability to influence at ownership level
Associated Package:
- Bonus: 20% discretionary annual KPI bonus
- Pension: via Legal and General 5% employers’ contribution
- 4% Flex Bens: Can be put towards PMI, Life assurance, Dental
- Holiday: 33 days + Celebrate You and Volunteer Day
- Meals on duty
- Generous discounts at the club
Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates
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