What you’ll be doing

The role requires effective management of resource, problem solving and a strong grasp of numbers. It is essential that the Lounge & VIP Hospitality Manager fosters a strong working relationship with outsourced teams in order to motivate high performance, consistent standards and cost discipline.

Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

Operational Oversight & Partner Management (Outsourced Services)

• Oversee day-to-day lounge and hospitality operations, leading the outsourced team to consistently deliver high-quality service and premium standards
• Continuously review food and beverage offerings, service standards and guest experiences
• Ensure outsourced partners comply with agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with a continual focus on optimising the cost base without compromising the agreed standards of quality and service
• Work with outsourced partner to ensure compliance with aviation security requirements, health and safety standards, food safety regulations and airport operating procedures
• Lead, coordinate and audit the performance of the outsourced lounge team to ensure consistent delivery of agreed high standard of hospitality and customer experience
• Ensure the lounge is consistently clean, organised and presented to appropriate standard

Financial Management & Commercial Performance

• Manage lounge capacity to maximise guest numbers, working alongside our Digital team to optimise commercial performance and yield
• Monitor and control operational costs, including outsourced labour, food and beverage and other supplier costs
• Agree ways of working with outsourced lounger partners to facilitate real-time tracking of all costs, allowing for immediate corrective action as required
• Prepare and deliver regular financial and operational reports (daily, weekly and monthly) directly to the Head of Transformation & Commercial Strategy, including revenue, consumption, cost analyses, budget control and passenger usage statistics
• Identify and implement opportunities to maximise revenue from lounge operations, including access models, pricing strategies, airline agreements and bundling opportunities
• Maximise profit potential through capacity management, stock and cost control and upselling
• Collaborate with partners to analyse passenger demand, utilisation, dwell time and yield to optimise capacity, service levels and financial performance
• Work closely with the Commercial Strategic Analytics team to develop forecasts, budgets and performance improvement initiatives
• Demonstrate the agility to identify, lead and support on new commercial initiatives that arise in a growing, fast-paced environment

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work with outsourced partner to lead and develop hospitality teams, promoting a customer-focused, commercially aware culture and developing training programmes as required to instil the EDI service standard across teams
• Act as lead point of contact for lounge partners, airlines and other key stakeholders, including developing new relationships where required
• Develop a strong internal network, with a particular focus on operational teams
• Drive continuous improvement through performance data, passenger feedback and industry benchmarking
• Work closely with the Marketing function and external agencies as required to develop marketing materials that will excite the market ahead of launching new initiatives
• Develop strong external relationships with business partners, stakeholders and peers within the wider Vinci group and with counterparts at other UK and international airports

Lounge & Premium Hospitality Strategy

• Lead the development, enhancement and optimisation of lounge offerings to meet evolving passenger expectations and airline requirements
• Provide subject-matter expertise on lounge operations, including layout, service models, food and beverage concepts, staffing structures and guest experience
• Lead on the design, setup, refurbishment and expansion of lounge facilities, ensuring operational practicality and commercial viability are embedded from the outset
• Support the Head of Transformation & Commercial Strategy with the identification, development and execution of other lounge and VIP initiatives at Edinburgh Airport that will enhance passenger experience and grow revenue

What we’re looking for

The Lounge & VIP Hospitality Manager role is particularly well-suited to candidates with a background in lounge / hospitality operations, with the ideal candidate ticking most of the following boxes:

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Solid understanding of lounge operations, operating models, and revenue drivers, including quality standards, customer service, food and beverage management, and operational performance.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in hospitality management, ideally within airport lounges; candidates with experience in restaurant groups, hotels, airlines, or other catering or premium service environments will also be considered.
• Direct financial management experience, including revenue generation, budget control, cost control, and EBITDA monitoring.
• Proven ability to improve commercial outcomes through pricing, product design, service optimisation, and demand management.
• Existing relationships with key partners (e.g. airlines and pass providers), or the ability to quickly establish strong working relationships.
• Demonstrable experience identifying, developing, and delivering new business initiatives, with a creative approach to bringing forward new and relevant ideas.

Skills & Competencies

• Positive and tenacious attitude with a strong drive to achieve successful outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead diverse teams, particularly outsourced teams, resolve operational incidents, and manage challenging situations effectively.
• Analytical and commercially minded, with a focus on balancing passenger experience and financial performance.
• Natural leadership ability, capable of inspiring and influencing large teams beyond direct line management responsibilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify solutions and overcome challenges.

If your experience ticks some of the boxes but looks slightly different to what we’ve listed here, we encourage you to still apply. You could add something we didn’t know we needed.