Venue Director - Aston Villa

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Job Introduction

Venue Director - Aston Villa FC

• Up to £90,000 per annum
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Private healthcare
• 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 an additional day off for your birthday
• 2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during the first year back
• Competitive and supportive family benefits
• Day off for baby's 1st birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• On-going training & development and career pathways
• Professional subscriptions paid
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

Levy UK is the food and drink partner of Villa Park Stadium, managing and operating all the food and drink within the venue. With an appetite to revolutionise the way fans experience live day events, Aston Villa are launching a step change in hospitality tiering, with an ambition scope of redevelopment work across this summer, creating entirely new concepts and exclusive VIP areas.

We are now looking for a Venue Director to assist in shaping and realising the venue food and drinks strategy, ensuring the development of premium experiences that are unique, exciting and first- class.

Who we are:

Levy UK & Ireland is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.

In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sports, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.

We are culinary champions - it's what we do and it's what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.

Focused on 'doing the right thing' for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.

We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

We collaborate with some of the UK's most game-changing and well-loved brands, all sharing our vision for bringing best-in-class experiences.

More about the role:

• A high-profile specialist and prestigious opportunity for a dynamic, senior and inspirational professional. Experience in premium food and drink delivery, logistics and a real "people person" with rounded leadership skills and a mantra to jump the curve and innovate food and beverage products to new heights
• Responsible in developing and delivering exceptional food and guest experience is critical to the success and reputation of the food and beverage offering, in addition to the leadership and engagement of shaping a large, well-trained team both fixed and variable
• You will work closely with the General Manager (Levy UK&I) and our partners at Aston Villa Football Club to develop and deliver the venue progressive strategy. As such, you will continually evolve the guest experience product, such that is renowned for food and hospitality excellence as befits a world class iconic venue
• Not a role for someone who wants to preserve the status quo, but for someone who is passionate, innovative, forward thinking and quality driven, evidenced by the delivery of fresh ideas and operational excellence

About you:

• Demonstrates passion and hunger for ensuring an exceptional hospitality experience, able to inspire the entire and varied team to work as one and "jump the curve" to deliver legendary food and beverage experiences
• Restless in seeking to be the best of the best. Known for leading from the front with the ability to critically review new project layouts and ideas as well as proposing new ideas to develop food, quality, and service
• Proven record of change management, strategic planning and operational delivery utilising a balanced structured approach focusing on agreed improvements with key stakeholders
• Track record of senior management - 10 years + experience gained in a quality driven food, drink, and hospitality environment with significant operational and stakeholder management experience

At Levy UK & Ireland, we take pride in fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion. We believe that our differences are our greatest strengths, and we are committed to creating an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered.

Our team is a vibrant tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which enriches our creativity, innovation, and overall success. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities, promoting fairness, and ensuring that all voices are heard.

We firmly believe that a diverse team leads to innovation and creativity. We welcome candidates from all walks of life and backgrounds to join us in our mission to create a supportive and equitable work environment where everyone has the chance to excel and collaborate.

Join us in our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive world, where every person has the chance to thrive and contribute their unique talents. Together, we can achieve greatness.