Job Description

We are currently on the hunt for a General Manager for the prestigious Aston Villa Football Club!


Overview:


Working in true partnership with our Client, we will deliver a business that is guest focused, sustainable, exciting, innovative, and profitable. You are integral to this vision and will be passionate about creating something special.


Role Purpose


To lead and inspire a team of HODS and their own teams to optimise sales, profitability and guest service, underpinned by a structured approach with appropriate focus on compliance with relevant company polices, standards and employment principles.


Reporting to the Venue Director and through close liaison with our client partners, you will be directly responsible for the key result areas below (amongst other general responsibilities).



Planning:

Collaboration

- Frequent liaison with our client and your Venue Director to agree strategy and direction of travel, developing and monitoring tactical plans to deliver

Structured Approach

- ensure that all activities have a clear purpose and measurable outcomes, with a disciplined and pacy approach to completion, including the review and application of lessons learned.

External landscape -

keep abreast of competitor activity and market trends which may impact our operation and make suggestions to evolve / keep ahead of 'the curve'.

Projects

- strong focus on collaboration with Client, Levy stakeholders and contractors to plan and deliver various capex and innovation projects


Operations:

Ownership of the day-to-day delivery of consistent and exceptional product quality and service standards

to achieve and ideally exceed department targets and grow our reputation for celebrated customer experiences

Readiness to trade

- Oversee and ensure that all services within remit are ready for operation at specific time and to the agreed standard.

Hospitality

- Drive our guest focus culture through consistently demonstrating an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of hospitality standards and client needs, that is infections throughout your team.

Innovation

- Close and detailed liaison with our Client, premium area key partners and Levy Commercial Team to plan and deliver innovative solutions

Consistency

- Regular monitoring and development of each department to ensure that food quality, presentation, staffing reviews and consistent standards are maintained according to our IPOE culture.

Liaison with Compass procurement, 3rd party suppliers and contractors

to underpin effective product quality, service delivery and cost-effective margins.

Monitor and maintain the Health and Safety

policy, process and culture across the venue

Brand

- Operate and further develop consistently high brand standards within each area

Communications -

Directly liaise with client representatives and your Team Managers to ensure that communication and expectations are clear. Use structured, regular and consistent meetings as a key tool.

Guest Focus

- Champion the guest focused culture, continually sharing and acting on client and customer feedback

Health & Safety

- Lead the H&S culture and compliance across the venue

People:

Structure

- work with the Venue Director to agree and sign off appropriate structures to flex resourcing between fixed and variable workers across all Departments and with appropriate factoring to address extended and weekend operating hours.

Appoint, lead and manage

the Fixed team to ensure consistent and effective operational delivery

Sourcing and deployment

- ensure that effective and robust recruitment plans and processes exist to source and deploy large volumes of casual workers per differing event requirements.

Culture

- Work closely with the management team to develop and sustain a high level of team energy and engagement, focused on great food and hospitality

Review and Develop

- Conduct regular performance reviews and talent management / succession planning activity, based on agreed and measurable KPI's. Oversee and drive the training plan and activity with your Heads of Departments

Communications

- ensure effective team communication flows (in all directions) throughout the O2 Arena

Reward and recognise

- Recognise and celebrate success. Ensure consistent and objective salary and bonus arrangements are in place.

HR compliance

- work closely with HR team and lead Line Managers to ensure complete and consistently effective adherence to all legal obligations

Financial & Business Development:

Financially accountable

for all costs and profitability of the venue, actively working with the Finance Manager to deliver accurate and timely forecasts, budgets and P&L's

Cost Management

- Be in control of all operating costs in line with set targets

Key analytics

- frequent review of performance statistics to identify opportunities for growth/ remedial actions, with tactical plans in place to address

Commerciality

- ensure competent levels of commercial understanding and awareness through Line Managers and their teams.

Product development

- Liaising with culinary and marketing specialist colleagues to implement continuous product development and drive increased spend per transaction.

Person spec:

A naturally confident leader, with senior management experience to inspire large operational teams to deliver results - min 5 years' experience at F&B management level (essential)


Confidently able to manage a mixed portfolio of outlets and business functions.


Likely to be currently working within a stadium / arena environment


Senior management presence to engage with Client, peers and functional specialists.


Positive and passionate focus on food - a natural flare for hospitality


Experienced in leading the implementation of projects and change programmes


Comfortable working within brand guidelines to deliver results


Excellent communication skills - able to influence all stakeholder levels


Experience of working with a client group


Previous P&L accountability and evidence of commercial nous


Exudes confidence, energy and charisma


Can effectively switch between being the leader and a team player according to the situation at hand.


Structured approach but also demonstrates flexibility and agility


Calm and resilient. Not deterred by an' unforeseen challenge'


Problem solving skills


Willing to work evenings and weekends as required

This role profile is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake, it may be changed from time to time to incorporate changing circumstances and business priorities. It does not form part of your contract of employment.

Who We Are:

Levy UK & Ireland is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.


In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.


We are culinary champions - it's what we do and it's what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.Focused on 'doing the right thing' for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.


We are official partners of the British Paralympic Association and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.


We collaborate with some of the UK's most game-changing and well-loved brands, all sharing our vision for bringing best-in-class experiences.