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Restaurant Associates UK

Strategic Operations Director

London
Posted about 21 hours ago
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Are you an aspiring Managing Director?

Are you passionate about food and people, with the ability to build lasting client relationships?

If you're an ambitious senior operations leader looking for the opportunity to run a business, influence strategy, and shape the future of a growing organisation, we want to hear from you.

As Operations Director, you'll take full ownership of a portfolio of catering contracts, leading high-performing teams, building exceptional client relationships, and driving commercial success.

This is more than an operations role—it's a role with real autonomy, strategic influence, and genuine opportunities for career progression!

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and grow a portfolio of catering contracts
  • Lead, coach, and inspire multi-site management teams
  • Drive operational excellence, service quality, and innovation
  • Build strong client partnerships and identify growth opportunities
  • Take full accountability for budgets, profitability, and commercial performance
  • Deliver strategic improvements that support long-term business success

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

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It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

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Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

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Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

We're Looking For Someone Who

  • Has senior multi-site leadership experience within catering, hospitality, or food services
  • Thinks commercially and understands how to drive profitable growth
  • Is an inspiring leader who develops high-performing teams
  • Builds trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders
  • Leads from the front and is ready to take the next step in their career

Our interview process is designed to give you a genuine insight into the role. You'll meet with our Head of Recruitment and Managing Directors, spend time within the business to experience what life as an Operations Director is really like, and finish by delivering a short presentation to showcase your ideas and communication skills!

Why work for us?

  • Competitive package
  • Multiple Pension Plan options
  • Clear Career development plans
  • Travel deals for your 27 days holiday PLUS bank holidays
  • Grocery discounts
  • Up to 44% off cinema tickets
  • Free wellness classes

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About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

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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Skills

Multi-site Leadership
Commercial Acumen
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Budget Management
Operational Excellence
Team Coaching
Profitability Driving
Hospitality Management
Portfolio Management

Location

London, England, United Kingdom

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