Head Of Food & Beverage Operations

An opportunity to lead the operation of the National Trust's c. £100m turnover Food & Beverage business.  Overseeing the Food and Beverage outlets at 250+ National Trust properties, you will play a critical role in delivering the strategy of our conservation charity.  You will be accountable for all elements of F&B operational delivery including: great customer service delivery; reducing our environmental impact; financial performance; safety standards and legal compliance; and recruitment, training and development of 4,000+ staff and volunteers.

You'll be an advocate internally and externally for a Food & Beverage vision that radiates the National Trust cause, delights audiences, delivers effectively, and celebrates our people. Being a proven strategic leader, you'll set a clear direction for the long-term success of the business and inspire national and property teams to deliver. This is a unique role in the organisation with an opportunity for significant impact.

What it's like to work here

Your contractual location will be our Head office in Swindon, and there will be a moderate level of travel nationally to our properties. You can be based in any location in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. There will be an opportunity to explore and agree hybrid / remote working arrangements which strike the right balance for you and the Trust.

What you'll be doing

We have ambitious growth plans for Food & Beverage and our wider Commercial operation at the National Trust, as we continue to deliver more for people and planet and grow our charitable profit.

As our Head of Food & Beverage Operations, you will have a fantastic opportunity to bring a vision for F&B to life by inspiring a job directorate of over 4000 staff and volunteers to create memorable experiences for our 25 million annual visitors. You will be coaching and developing your national and property-based teams to create an environment that enables them to deliver brilliant products and service every day. Embedding a culture of collaboration and inclusion, you’ll celebrate our people and bring joy in your approach.

You’ll create and implement business plans that align with and enable delivery of the National Trust’s strategy, including underpinning member and visitor value, enabling fundraising growth, contributing to our climate action goals, and becoming more accessible and welcoming. You will identify and oversee ambitious capital spend requirements, prioritising areas for investment and profitable growth. Bringing industry insight and innovative techniques to the organisation, you’ll champion sustainable practice in food service operations, drive operational efficiencies, and strengthen the Trust’s brand.

You will be accountable for managing risk and compliance in our Food & Beverage operation and will seek opportunities to use systems and business processes to minimise areas of risk within this fast-moving and increasingly regulated industry.

As a key member of the Commercial Leadership Team, you'll engage the organisation at every level in your vision and act as a champion for the wider Commercial team.  We’re looking for someone who can bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the role; your positive impact will be felt by all property teams at the National Trust.

Who we're looking for

• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing multi-site, high turnover (£50m+) food businesses, with evidence of successful profit and loss management and accountability.
• Extensive knowledge of the UK food and drinks industry, including legislation surrounding food operations.
• Thorough understanding of commercial operations and the drivers for customer satisfaction, repeat business, spend, margins and profitability.
• A proven and trusted leader; able to build strong, high-performing teams across a matrix organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build mutually beneficial internal and external relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in incident handling and change management, with a proactive approach to resolving challenges.
• A highly strategic and structured approach to solving problems; capacity for thinking longer-term and to see the bigger picture.
• Ability to interrogate complex information and reach appropriate conclusions and priorities.
• Brilliant communication, leadership and influencing skills are essential for success in this role.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Tax free childcare scheme
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most locations
• Independent financial advice