Events Operations Manager

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We have an exciting opportunity to work in a truly unique events space located at the UK's number 1 zoo! As part of the Food & Beverage team, the Events Operations Manager will be responsible for the daily operation and the successful delivery of all events and hospitality across Chester Zoo.

Our events include weddings and special occasions, corporate away days, conferences and Christmas party nights, as well as many more. Imagine a drinks reception in our tropical Monsoon Forest or taking pride of place in front of our Asiatic lion habitat for breakfast!

With our ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond, there couldn't be a more exciting time to join us!

The Role

As part of our Food & Beverage management team, you'll work closely with our Chef and Venue Sales team to deliver a wide range of events, all while maintaining our exceptionally high standards.

• You will deliver all events activities to achieve agreed net profits and enhance the visitor experience within Chester Zoo
• You will be responsible for the Food & Beverage service primarily in our purpose built The Square and The Oakfield, as well as all other event & meeting operations within wider areas of Chester Zoo
• As part of our constantly growing business, you will be integral to implementing world class standards into our meetings and events business as well as the overall operation, and as we look to enhance our reputation through investment you will be an integral part of our journey to becoming a world class venue
• You will work closely with the Venue Sales team to ensure speculative clients and their needs are communicated to the operation and delivered to an exceptional standard
• As part of a broader team of Operations Managers, reporting to the Food & Beverage General Manager, you will have a shared responsibility of up to 200 employees at our busiest times of the year
• You will have a positive "can do attitude" and lead by example. You will provide innovative ideas to generate the best results for the organisation, as well as fantastic customer service - all whilst being able to inspire your team to be the best they can be

The Package

You'll be working a variety of shifts, including days and evenings for events. Contract hours are 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays.

• Permanent contract
• £38,952.52 per annum based on 40 hours per week
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle scheme

Our Requirements

• A proven track record in a hospitality environment that would specifically have exposure to any of the following: Conferences, Events and Meetings Venues, Hotels, Restaurants, Contract Catering, Visitor Attractions
• Excellent people management skills, including recruiting, mentoring and training staff, performance management and taking responsibility for resources within an area
• Commercial and business acumen
• Financial and analytical skills including effective management of budgets and creation and analysis of reports
• Experience in creating and updating policy, adherence to food safety systems and best practice processes
• Exposure to new and current trends within the hospitality & events industry.
• Experience of stock management systems
• A personal licence and food hygiene qualifications would be desirable

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes...

We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office - where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?