Location: Ascot Racecourse, Royal Ascot, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX
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.
What you’ll do
- 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 hospitality operations.
- 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
- 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
- Competitive salary
- 10% bonus
- Opportunity to 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 organization
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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