Senior Festival Operations Manager

HYBRID WORKING - Are you an experienced live events professional with a passion for large‑scale public events, food & beverage experiences and operational delivery? This Senior Festival Operations Manager opportunity offers the chance to take ownership of major live projects within a fast‑growing events and technology business.

• Lead food & beverage operations across some of the UK’s largest festivals and live events
• Senior operational delivery role with ownership of major concessions programmes
• Join one of the UK’s fastest‑growing live events and event‑tech businesses

Working across festivals, fan zones, cultural events and experiential projects, the Senior Festival Operations Manager will oversee end‑to‑end delivery, supplier coordination and onsite operations while supporting junior team members and driving exceptional client experiences.

THE COMPANY

This fast‑growing live events business specialises in delivering large‑scale food, beverage and concessions operations across some of the UK’s most recognised festivals, sporting events and cultural experiences.

Working with major promoters, venues and rights holders, the business manages end‑to‑end concessions delivery – from supplier curation and operational planning through to live event management and commercial performance.

Projects span major UK festivals, fan zones, experiential activations, sporting events and cultural programmes, with clients including large‑scale public event organisers and internationally recognised brands.

With continued growth across their festivals and live events portfolio, they are now looking for a Senior Festival Operations Manager to support delivery across some of their most commercially important accounts.

THE ROLE

This is a senior operational delivery role focused on leading food & beverage operations across large‑scale live events and festivals.

The successful candidate will oversee concessions planning, trader management, operational delivery and onsite leadership across complex, high‑volume public events. You’ll act as a key client contact onsite while managing suppliers, stakeholders and operational teams across build, live days and breakdown.

Projects include major UK festivals and greenfield live events, requiring someone confident operating in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments with significant operational and commercial responsibility.

Duties as Senior Festival Operations Manager will include:

• Leading end‑to‑end concessions and F&B delivery across major live events
• Managing trader onboarding, supplier coordination and operational planning
• Overseeing RAMS, licensing, compliance and health & safety processes
• Managing onsite concessions operations across build, live days and breakdown
• Acting as the key operational contact for clients, promoters and stakeholders onsite
• Monitoring trading performance, supplier delivery and operational standards in real time
• Managing operational teams, freelancers and supplier relationships onsite
• Supporting commercial performance including spend‑per‑head and revenue delivery
• Producing post‑event reporting, operational reviews and client debriefs

THE CANDIDATE

To qualify for this Senior Festival Operations Manager role you should have strong experience delivering concessions, food & beverage or operational management across large‑scale festivals, outdoor events or public event environments.

You’ll come from a hands‑on live events background and be comfortable managing complex onsite operations, multiple stakeholders and high‑pressure festival environments.

Suitable backgrounds may include:

• Festival Operations Manager
• Concessions Manager
• Event Operations Manager
• F&B Operations Manager
• Site Manager
• Production Manager
• Trader Operations Manager

Experience working with festivals, greenfield events, concessions partners, catering operators or large‑scale public events is highly desirable.

Candidates must be confident leading onsite delivery and capable of hitting the ground running within a fast‑paced operational environment.

As a specialist events recruitment agency we help our clients build the most talented and diverse teams in the UK. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, embracing diversity across all intersecting dimensions, including ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, well‑being, abilities and neurodiversity. We are dedicated to ensuring a supportive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations for any reason, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Vacancy Ref: GS17416

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