Venue Director SEC

Job Title
Venue Director
Reports to
Business Director, Levy UK & I
Direct Reports
Director of Strategy, General Manager(s)
Venue
Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
Region
Scotland
Sector
Levy UK & I
Excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.
We're looking for...
Levy UK & I is the food and drink partner of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), managing and operating all food and drink across the venue. The Venue Director holds overall accountability for SEC - commercially, operationally and financially -and is the senior leader responsible for the day-to-day success and long-term reputation of the partnership.
You will hold the primary senior relationship with both the Levy UK & I leadership team and the SEC client's senior leadership, acting as the trusted face of the partnership at the highest level.
This is a high-profile, senior leadership role for a dynamic and inspirational professional with a proven record of running a premium food, drink and hospitality operation, leading large fixed and variable teams, and building lasting senior-level relationships. Not a role for someone who wants to preserve the status quo - you will set the tone for operational excellence while creating the conditions for SEC's strategic ambitions to grow.
We are Levy
We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.
Trusted by some of the world's most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events from Wimbledon and Twickenham to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.
Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.
We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.
Venue Director - The Role
Senior Leadership & Partnership

• Hold overall accountability for the venue, providing the senior leadership under which all functions including the Strategy function - operate.
• Build, own and sustain the senior relationship between the Levy UK & I leadership team and the SEC client's senior leadership, acting as the primary point of contact for the partnership.
• Sponsor and champion SEC's growth and destination-venue vision at senior and board level, securing alignment and support from both Levy and the client.
• Govern and sign off the transition of strategic and capital initiatives from concept into live operations, ensuring they are deliverable and fit for the venue.
• Represent Levy at the most senior forums with the client, ensuring the partnership remains strong, trusted and forward-looking.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the venue's leadership team, including the Strategy Director and General Manager, ensuring clarity of roles and shared purpose.
• Evolve the culture of the team so that it aligns with the values of the client and Levy UK & I.
• Direct and work in conjunction with the General Manager to ensure the operational team delivers consistency in quality and experience.
• Mentor and coach the team to ensure they are ready for success and progression.
• Ensure effective communication is embedded across the team, relating to business strategy, planning and daily activity.
• Challenge and guide the venue team to create an environment of transparency, honesty and accountability.

Financial & Commercial Accountability

• Hold full financial accountability for all costs and profitability of the venue, working with the Finance Manager to deliver accurate and timely forecasts, budgets and P&Ls.
• Control all operating costs, constantly identifying more efficient ways to operate.
• Review Growth Performance Scores and operational KPIs regularly, putting tactical remedial plans in place where required.
• Ensure competent levels of commercial understanding and awareness across Line Managers and their teams.

Operational Excellence & Guest Experience

• Take day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of exceptional food, drink and guest experience across the venue.
• Ensure quality control and consistency across the operation, underpinned by the Growth Performance Strategy methodology.
• Embed the data structure and accuracy required to maximise the validity of E15 Insights across the venue.
• Interact with functional support specialists (People, Culinary, Finance, E15 Insights, BUILT, Sales) to drive day-to-day operational performance.
• Maintain rigorous standards of compliance, health & safety and sustainability across the operation.

What we're looking for
Experience

• Track record of senior management in a quality-driven food, drink and hospitality environment, with significant operational, financial and stakeholder management experience.
• Proven experience holding full P&L accountability for a large, complex operation.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining senior-level relationships with clients and leadership teams.
• Experience leading and developing large fixed and variable teams, including other senior leaders.

Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates passion and hunger for ensuring an exceptional hospitality experience, able to inspire an entire and varied team to deliver legendary food and beverage experiences.
• Commercially and financially astute - understands how finance and operating models are built and what levers can be used to improve performance.
• Passionate about people - equally comfortable communicating with the most senior clients and the team members delivering great service every day.
• Strong influencer with the ability to negotiate across all stakeholders, with the resilience and tenacity to drive a compelling vision for change.
• Flexible and agile, balancing a structured approach with resilience and problem-solving, adapting as required without diluting quality of results.
• Ability to build successful relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, operating with a flexible and inclusive approach.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits
• 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 2 days additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby's first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why Join Us?
Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.
We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.
Together, we create unforgettable experiences and shape the future of hospitality.

• Medicash - Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)
• Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts - up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Health & Wellbeing discounts - Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%)
• Travel discounts - Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• Meals on duty
• Vodaphone discounts
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 27 days + BH's and additional day off for your birthday
• 2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during first year back
• Competitive and supportive family benefits
• Day off for baby's first birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• On-going training & development and career pathways
• Professional subscriptions paid
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

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/0409/ / /IN/SU #SCOT #Levy UK
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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