Hospitality Training & Guest Experience Manager
Be part of something greater.
- Job reference: SDX/TP/736016/151457
- Location: Ascot
- Job type: Full Time - 40 hours a week
- Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum plus 10% bonus
About the role
- Job Title: Service Excellence Manager
- Location: Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX
- Salary: Circa £45,000 plus 10% bonus
- Work Pattern: 40 Hours / working 5 out of 7days
- Free parking, Free Raceday tickets and access to an annual Hospitality box
About Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is more than a venue; it’s a destination for extraordinary experiences. Each year, over half a million guests join us to celebrate moments of passion, elegance and tradition, brought to life by a team who care deeply about every detail.
With a heritage spanning more than 300 years, Ascot remains one of the world’s most prestigious racecourses, yet our story continues to evolve. Guided by creativity, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we are building a global lifestyle brand, rooted in world-class horseracing.
Our Conference and Events business reflects that same spirit. From high-profile conferences and large exhibitions to intimate dinners and luxury hospitality experiences, we deliver bespoke occasions that embody quality, sophistication and style.
Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. Those who join us share our ambition to create moments that inspire, connect and live long in the memory.
Job Introduction
We’re seeking a Service Excellence Manager who will elevate our guest experience from exceptional to unforgettable. In this pivotal role, you’ll shape the service culture across all Food & Beverage operations from Royal Ascot to private Events and Conferences, ensuring our teams deliver excellence with every interaction.
This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact at a globally recognised venue, leading the design and delivery of innovative service training, developing our people and championing best-in-class hospitality. You’ll have the creative autonomy to reimagine how service looks and feels at Ascot, with the full backing of our senior leadership team.
In return, you’ll gain the opportunity to influence service standards at a venue that sets the benchmark for premium Event Hospitality, access to Sodexo Live!’s global expertise and the pride of shaping guest experiences that define a legacy.
Job Responsibilities
- Champion a culture of excellence, set and regularly review standards, so every interaction is positive and consistent.
- Build engaging online and in-person training programmes, create training plans and steer clear development pathways for casual workers.
- Work closely with the Operations teams to coach, motivate and mentor teams, embedding best practice during live events.
- Continuously assess service standards, cleanliness, compliance and overall guest journey, driving corrective actions.
- Capture and analyse feedback from all channels related to guest feedback, respond to issues, and improve mechanisms to gather consistent insights.
- Develop and refine SOPs and best practices, to boost service quality and efficiency, leveraging modern training techniques and technology, where appropriate.
- Report on metrics, trends and initiatives; partner with HR, Operations, Marketing, Culinary and Finance to align with business goals.
For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description
What You Will Bring
- Experience: Proven experience in hospitality operations, guest experience, service training, or hospitality management, ideally within large venues, hotels, or event catering environments.
- Training Excellence: Proven ability to design engaging training content (online and in-person), deliver impactful sessions, and embed behavioural change across diverse teams.
- Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, managing, and motivating teams; confident influencing at all levels and challenging constructively when needed.
- Guest-Centric Mindset: Creative, observant, and in tune with what great service looks and feels like—able to turn insights into practical improvements.
- Data-Driven Improvement: Comfortable analysing guest feedback and operational data to spot trends and implement effective solutions.
- Hands-On & Proactive: A problem-solver with a can-do attitude who’s happy to be visible on the floor and lead from the front, across multiple accounts.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building rapport with guests and colleagues alike.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work some evenings and weekends around major events.
- Passion for Hospitality: A genuine commitment to outstanding customer service and continuous improvement.
What we offer
Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
- A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment
- Competitive compensation
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! Career progression for the caring profession.
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.
About Sodexo Live!
At Sodexo Live!, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
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KEY BENEFITS
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Advice and guidance
Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it. -
Pension Plan
Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan. -
Wellbeing support
Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7. -
Generous leave
For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge. -
Discounts and savings
Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme -
Virtual GP
24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.
Social Impact
Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.
We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.
Ascot, United Kingdom, SL5 7JX
Register your interest
Join us at Sodexo and explore the exciting career opportunities we offer! Whether you're interested in hospitality, facilities management, or food services, we invite you to set up a profile and become part of our vibrant team.