About the Role
Operational Management:
- Support the immediate operational transition of F&B operations at Somerset House.
- Responsible for the successful management of food and beverage, making Somerset House an F&B destination in its own right, across: SKATE pop-up F&B (The Chalet and SKATE Lounge) plus others
- Ad hoc pop-up F&B operations
- Exhibition related F&B led activations
- Impactful F&B offers across the cultural programme, including partner projects
- Development of a distinctive F&B offer as part of any future membership plans
- Resident event and meeting room catering
- Main point of contact for all food and beverage operators - confidently and simultaneously manage a mixed portfolio of outlets and projects, responding to site queries and problem solving where required.
- Work with the Head of Food & Beverage to contract, plan, deliver and debrief all pop-up food and beverage activations.
- Point of contact for all internal F&B feedback - actioning feedback where appropriate.
- Identify & implement opportunities to simplify and improve F&B operations across the Trust.
Relationship Management:
- Work closely with each operator to ensure exceptional customer service for all site visitors, leading to increased footfall, enhanced dwell time, and a positive experience for residents and visitors.
- Effective cross-department working relationships, where all departments feel supported and engaged with F&B activity, and work closely with the Estates and Facilities teams to review and update Operator documentation.
- Develop a close and effective working relationship with OCS facilities management, Corps Security and all departments across the Trust.
- Develop and manage relationships with Kings College and the Courtauld Gallery/Institute to ensure activity across the organisations are seamlessly delivered.
Marketing and Income Generation:
- Work closely with the wider Commercial team (Sales, Operations and Projects) to deliver cost effective solutions for clients, Residents and internal events.
- Work closely with Marketing & Comms team to deliver activity which meets pre-defined outcomes for each operation.
- Keep abreast of new market innovation and the strengths, weaknesses and delivery of competitors, and remain receptive to innovative ideas and pursue them.
Finance and Reporting:
- Follow correct financial processes. Manage weekly and monthly revenue data across all operators, tracking turnover, analysing trends and updating and communicating in a timely manner.
- Work with the Head of Food and Beverage to accurately budget and reforecast F&B income and expenditure, working creatively to maximise profit where possible.
Process and Compliance:
- Use DIESE (or equivalent event/site management software) effectively to allow detailed and accurate diary management and reporting.
- Work with Estates team to ensure each F&B operator is compliant with all legal requirement and meets necessary standards including Health and Safety, Food Safety and Licensing. Conduct quarterly H&S and
Operational audits to ensure compliance.
Requirements
Experience:
Strong and demonstrable operational and project management experience managing food and beverage outlets within high-turnover (ideally cultural) venues
Proven experience of developing long term relationships with suppliers
Health & Safety management experience, with strong understanding of H&S legislation
Demonstrate a personal commitment to Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion
Experienced in building excellent rapport with clients and peers alike, with strong customer focus and interpersonal skills
Desirable:
Health and Safety Level 3
Events and corporate hospitality experience
Personal License holder
First Aid trained
Skills:
Highly organised, motivated with a calm, diplomatic and flexible approach, with excellent prioritisation skills
High level of proficiency working with standard business software including MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
About the Company
Somerset House is seeking a Food and Beverage Manager to join the Commercial Department, during an exciting transition of its onsite food and beverage outlets. As the home of cultural innovators, the Trust connects creativity and the arts with the broader society.
Working closely with the Head of Food and Beverage, this new position will play a crucial role in managing all aspects of Somerset House’s food and beverage onsite operations, ensuring a consistent experience in line with our brand ethos as the home of cultural innovators.
Under the direction of the Head of Food and Beverage and Commercial Director, this role will be responsible for successfully managing all F&B (both permanent and pop-up activations) across the year, ensuring outstanding operator relationships and a thriving food and beverage offer, which integrates and maximises F&B opportunities across all commercial activity.
We are looking for a proactive individual, with a solution focused approach, who thrives working in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience of managing and growing food and beverage operations, ideally within a cultural venue. They will possess exceptional organisational skills, have a strong understanding of the food and beverage industry (with a passion for the creative industries), as well as a keen eye for detail.
The role involves close collaboration with a range of Somerset House teams, including Live Events which delivers SKATE and the Summer Series. The delivery of this role will contribute to the growth and sustainability of Somerset House’s Commercial services.
Somerset House pursues a ‘Step Inside, Think Outside’ spirit and is born from the creative community we nurture - the experience and perspectives we host across background, age, race, and stage, and the intersections and crossovers we encourage.