Sodexo Live!
Head of Hospitality
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Head of Hospitality
Location: Ascot Racecourse, Royal Ascot, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX
Salary: up to £55,000 per annum plus 10% bonus
Working pattern: 5 days out of 7, Monday to Friday plus race days, with time back in lieu
Sodexo Live! is looking for an exceptional Head of Hospitality to lead our premium hospitality and conference operations at the world-renowned Ascot Racecourse.
This is a high-profile leadership role at one of the UK’s most prestigious sporting and events venues. You will oversee a large-scale, luxury hospitality operation, including up to 30 fine dining restaurants, 215 private boxes, a casual management team, and P&L responsibility in excess of £19 million.
As Head of Hospitality, you will be responsible for delivering world-class food and beverage experiences across race days, conferences, private events, and premium guest areas. Working closely with Sodexo Live!, Ascot Racecourse Ltd, and key stakeholders, you will ensure every operation is commercially successful, beautifully executed, and consistently aligned with the standards expected of a luxury venue.
You will lead from the front, bringing energy, structure, and innovation to a complex, high-volume environment. This role would suit someone with experience in large venues, racecourses, stadia, hotels, luxury hospitality, premium events, or high-end food and beverage operations.
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What you’ll do:
- Lead the hospitality and conference teams to deliver outstanding service, commercial performance, and operational excellence across the venue.
- Maximise profitability across hospitality and conference operations while maintaining exceptional guest standards.
- Lead the planning, set-up, delivery, and breakdown of events in line with operational standards and procedures.
- Manage food and beverage operations across fine dining restaurants, private boxes, and premium hospitality areas.
- Build strong relationships with Ascot Racecourse Ltd, guest services, internal teams, and external stakeholders.
- Drive innovation, market trends, and best practice across the hospitality operation.
- Recruit, train, develop, and motivate a large casual and permanent workforce.
- Manage budgets, costs, KPIs, and P&L performance.
- Support menu development, cellar management, and premium wine service.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, health, and safety, and operational procedures.
- Handle guest feedback and resolve issues quickly and professionally.
- Develop Assistant Managers and future hospitality leaders within the team.
- Ensure the venue is fully operationally ready for race days, conferences, and major events.
What you’ll bring:
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- Significant operational experience in hospitality, events, venues, hotels, racecourses, stadia, or luxury food and beverage.
- Experience managing large teams in high-volume environments.
- A strong understanding of luxury service standards and guest experience.
- Commercial awareness, including budget control, cost management, and P&L responsibility.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to prioritise, problem-solve, and remain calm under pressure.
- A hands-on leadership style with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Strong literacy and numeracy skills.
Desirable qualifications include IOSH, CIEH Level 3, or previous experience in major events.
What we offer:
In return, you will receive a competitive package and the opportunity to play a key role at one of the most iconic racecourses in the world. Benefits include:
- Competitive Salary
- 10% bonus opportunity
- Time back in lieu for race days worked
- Free race day tickets
- The opportunity to lead a flagship Sodexo Live! hospitality operation
- Career development within a global organisation
This is a fantastic opportunity for a hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced, premium environment and wants to deliver unforgettable guest experiences at scale.
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