F&B Event Lead - Utilita Arena

Is responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering retail food and beverage operations across Utilita Arena Birmingham and BP Pulse Live. It ensures events are executed safely, efficiently and profitably whilst delivering an outstanding guest experience. The role provides ownership of event planning, forecasting, labour deployment, commercial performance and operational delivery.

• Build detailed event forecasts using attendance projections, historical trading data, event type, audience demographics and customer behaviour trends.
• Forecast and manage event budgets, labour plans and stock requirements aligned to revenue expectations, and develop sales forecasts to achieve agreed revenue, SPH, revenue per available unit and profitability targets.
• Analyse event demographics to optimise outlet mix, staffing levels, product ranges and promotional opportunities, and review event performance against forecast to improve forecasting accuracy.
• Lead retail food and beverage operations during assigned events across both arenas, acting as the primary operational contact before, during and after events.
• Monitor trading performance throughout events and make real-time decisions to maximise revenue and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure all outlets are operationally ready, appropriately staffed and fully compliant prior to doors opening.
• Deliver agreed commercial KPIs including revenue, SPH, revenue per available unit, labour percentage and profitability, monitor outlet productivity, identify opportunities to increase sales and operational efficiency, and analyse event reports to provide recommendations for future results.
• Lead, inspire and support casual and permanent teams across both arenas, and support training, onboarding and development of Team Leaders, Supervisors and event-day teams.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement, champion exceptional guest experiences, monitor guest feedback, implement improvements to service standards and resolve guest complaints effectively and professionally.
• Ensure all retail operations comply with food safety, health & safety, licensing and company policies, maintain SOP standards, promote a strong safety culture and complete venue audits and compliance checks.

• Leadership or duty management experience in a high-volume hospitality, retail, stadium or arena environment.
• Experience managing large event operations and delivering through teams.
• Strong understanding of event forecasting, labour planning and budget management.
• Experience analysing sales performance, SPH and commercial reporting.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of revenue, SPH and profitability drivers.
• Excellent forecasting and analytical skills.
• Strong organisational and planning capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel capability and reporting skills.

• Personal Licence holder desirable.

• Based across Utilita Arena Birmingham and BP Pulse Live.

• 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: 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off Pure Gym.
• Travel 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.
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and an additional day off for your birthday.