Chartwells Universities
Hospitality & Events Operations Manager
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Hospitality Operations Manager | Conferences, Events & Delivered Hospitality | £34,000+ | University of Sussex
About The Role
Sussex Uni Food is seeking an experienced and energetic Hospitality Operations Manager to lead the delivery of our conferences, events, banqueting, and delivered hospitality services across the University of Sussex campus.
This is a highly operational and hands-on management role responsible for delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while leading casual event teams and maintaining outstanding service standards. The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time in the operation, supporting events, managing service delivery, coordinating logistics, and engaging with customers and teams. This is not a desk-based management position.
The operation delivers over £800,000 of annual revenue through conference catering, corporate hospitality, academic events, VIP functions, summer schools, delivered hospitality, receptions, formal dinners, and external events.
We are looking for someone with a strong hospitality background from hotels, conference venues, or contract catering who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys leading from the front.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of conference, banqueting, and delivered hospitality services across multiple campus venues.
- Ensure all hospitality bookings are delivered accurately, professionally, and on time.
- Oversee event setup, service delivery, room preparation, clearing, and post-event standards.
- Act as the operational lead for high-profile university functions, conferences, receptions, and VIP events.
- Drive exceptional customer experiences through consistently high service standards.
- Support out-of-hours, evening, and weekend events as required.
Conference & Event Delivery
- Plan and coordinate hospitality requirements for conferences, meetings, academic events, summer schools, and external clients.
- Produce quotations and event proposals in line with customer requirements and budgets.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders, conference organisers, and external customers to ensure successful event delivery.
- Conduct event briefings and ensure all operational teams are fully prepared.
- Ensure venues are presented to the highest standards before, during, and after events.
Delivered Hospitality Management
- Manage the delivery of hospitality services across a wide range of campus locations.
- Coordinate logistics for food, beverage, equipment, crockery, cutlery, and service ware.
- Ensure hospitality orders are delivered accurately and within agreed service times.
- Continuously review service processes to improve efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
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Team Leadership
- Recruit, train, develop, and motivate casual hospitality teams.
- Create a positive, customer-focused culture with strong service values.
- Lead by example and maintain a visible presence within the operation.
- Manage staffing levels to meet business demands and event requirements.
- Deliver team briefings and maintain clear communication across all event activities.
Financial & Commercial Performance
- Support the achievement of hospitality revenue and profitability targets.
- Identify opportunities to grow conference and hospitality sales.
- Monitor labour deployment and operational efficiency.
- Assist with menu development and hospitality package enhancements.
- Ensure excellent value for money while maintaining premium service standards.
Compliance & Standards
- Maintain compliance with food safety, health and safety, allergen management, and company policies.
- Ensure all hospitality services operate in line with agreed service specifications and quality standards.
- Monitor customer feedback and implement improvements where required.
- Promote sustainability initiatives, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing practices.
Logistics & Vehicle Responsibilities
- Drive company vehicles to support the movement of hospitality equipment and deliveries across campus and external locations.
- Ensure company vehicles are maintained, safe, and used in accordance with company policies.
- Support operational logistics during periods of peak demand.
Essential
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience within hospitality operations, conference venues, hotels, banqueting, events, or contract catering.
- Experience leading operational hospitality teams.
- Strong conference and event coordination experience.
- Experience producing quotations and planning hospitality requirements.
- Excellent customer service and relationship management skills.
- Strong organisational and logistical planning abilities.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when required.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- Full valid UK driving licence.
- Ability to lift, move, and support the physical setup of hospitality events.
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Desirable
- Experience within higher education, conference centres, or large multi-site operations.
- Food Safety Level 3 qualification.
- Personal Licence holder.
- IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification.
- Experience managing casual or seasonal workforces.
- Knowledge of hospitality booking systems and event management software.
Personal Attributes
We Are Looking For Someone Who Is
- Hands-on and operationally focused.
- A visible leader who enjoys working alongside their team.
- Customer obsessed and service driven.
- Calm under pressure and adaptable.
- Commercially aware with strong attention to detail.
- Positive, proactive, and solutions focused.
- Passionate about hospitality and creating memorable customer experiences.
Why Join Sussex Uni Food?
This is an opportunity to manage a diverse and growing hospitality operation that plays a key role in the University experience. You will lead conference and hospitality services across one of the UK's leading universities, working within a dynamic environment that delivers everything from meeting refreshments and working lunches to large-scale conferences, summer schools, fine dining events, and VIP functions. Based on the service scope within the hospitality contract, the role encompasses delivered hospitality, banqueting services, conference catering, event setup, customer experience, service quality, sustainability, and operational excellence across campus.
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Job Reference: com/0810/85570001/52833160/R/SU #Universities & Colleges
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
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