Senior Hospitality Operations Manager

An amazing career opportunity for an established hospitality professional to join our company in

this newly created role at a time of transition and growth.

The role of the Senior Hospitality Operations Manager is seen as an opportunity to make a real

difference, setting standards, implementing systems and change and a pathway to both personal

and business growth.

Role Type:

Full-time, permanent role; based at our HQ, just outside Banbury. Flexibility required in line with event operations.

Reports to:

Operations Director / Chief Executive Officer

Salary:

£60,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Role Overview

• The Senior Hospitality Operations Manager (SHOM) assumes full responsibility for the end-to-end operational performance of the business, taking a holistic, strategic view across all departments, events and delivery channels.
• This role requires extensive senior-level hospitality operations experience, with the ability to operate at both a strategic level and hands-on level. Experience across multi-site operations is highly desirable.

This role goes beyond event execution to include:

• Operational strategy and planning
• Business performance and profitability
• Team structure, leadership and development
• Systems, processes and scalability
• Cross-functional alignment
• The SHOM ensures that all areas of the business operate cohesively, efficiently and to the
• highest standards, while continuously evolving to support growth.

Who is the SHOM?

• A key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Acts as the operational lead across the entire company.
• Direct line between strategy (CEO/OD) and execution (SMT/JMT).
• Provides leadership across FOH, Kitchen, Logistics and Admin functions.
• Plays a critical role in shaping company direction and growth.

SHOM’s Core Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Oversight

• Maintain full visibility across all operational activity within the business.
• Ensure all events and services are delivered:
• To brand standard
• On time and within budget
• With consistent quality and guest experience
• Develop and implement operational frameworks, standards and best practices.
• Take ownership of multi-event and complex delivery environments, ensuring seamless
• coordination.

Strategic Planning and Business Performance

• Lead forward planning across the business, including:
• Event pipelines
• Resource planning
• Staffing and logistics
• Drive commercial performance by balancing:
• Labour costs
• Operational efficiency
• Profitability
• Analyse operational data to identify:
• Trends, risks and opportunities for growth and improvement
• Contribute to business strategy in collaboration with the OD and CEO

Team Leadership and Development

• Build, lead and evolve a high-performing operational structure.
• Direct management of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Oversight of the Junior Management Team (JMT) development and performance.
• Ensure:
• Strong leadership capabilities at all levels.
• Clear accountability and ownership.
• Continuous training and development.
• Identify hiring needs and lead recruitment in line with business growth.

Culture, Standards and Brand Alignment

• Act as a guardian of company culture, ethos and standards.
• Ensure all team members operate as brand ambassadors.
• Drive consistency in:
• Service standards
• Behaviour and professionalism
• Guest experience
• Champion the ‘One House’ approach across all departments.

Live Event Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Maintain a visible presence across key events.
• Regularly assess live delivery to:
• Monitor standards
• Support teams
• Identify improvements
• Step into lead operational roles at high-profile or complex events where required.
• Ensure consistent feedback loops and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong relationships across Kitchen, FOH, Logistics and Admin teams.
• Act as the central point to ensure alignment between all departments.
• Work closely with key stakeholders, strategic partners and clients.
• Maintain high levels of communication, trust and professionalism.

Systems, Processes and Scalability

• Develop and refine operational systems and workflows.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Ensure the business is structured to:
• Scale effectively
• Maintain quality during growth
• Introduce tools, reporting and processes that enhance performance.

Business Growth and Development

• Identify and drive new business opportunities.
• Support and influence: Strategic partnerships, client relationships, revenue growth
• initiatives.
• Present opportunities and insights to the OD and CEO.
• Ensure all operational activity contributes to long-term business building.

Ways of Working

Autonomy and Ownership

• Operates with a high level of independence.
• Takes full ownership of operational outcomes.
• Proactively identifies and solves problems.

Leadership Presence

• Visible, approachable and decisive.
• Leads by example in all environments.
• Inspires confidence across teams and stakeholders.

Communication

• Clear, consistent and structured communication across all levels.
• Ensures alignment between strategy and execution.

Person Specification

• Extensive, senior-level hospitality operations experience is essential.
• Multi-site operational experience is highly desirable.
• Forward-thinking and solutions-driven.
• A natural leader and exceptional communicator.
• Commercially astute and has financial acumen.
• Energetic, enthusiastic and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Curious, adaptable and always looking to improve.
• A true ‘people person’ who brings out the best in others.
• Resilient, hands-on, and sees things through to completion.
• Passionate about food, hospitality and delivering unforgettable experiences.

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