Senior Event Operations Manager

• Job Title: Senior Event Operations Manager
• Location: Heritage Portfolio, 49 North Fort Street, EH6 4HJ
• upto £40,000 per annum + 10% Bonus
• 40hrs per week / 5 days out of 7days
• Driving Licence Required

Job Introduction

Heritage Portfolio is looking to recruit an experienced Senior Event Operations Manager for the Private Catering Team in Edinburgh, which is a key team within the Scottish portfolio. This role is rarely available, and will drive commercial success and implement service excellence across all elements of the business but with a primary focus on the planning and events operation delivery. This is a key senior role for the team, and indeed wider Heritage Portfolio Team.

We are looking for an inspirational and creative leader with senior experience with a high-end event operations. The role will deputise for the Head of Events and will lead the event operation in conjunction with the Senior Event Designer throughout the panel of venues with Private Catering. The role is 80% operational and requires a high level of attention to detail and collaboration with all partners. Private Catering looks after panel venues like National Museum of Scotland, Assembly Rooms on George Street and many others, including some Royal Events at the Palace of Holyrood House.

Heritage portfolio was founded in Edinburgh in 2002 and since then has consistently produced outstanding catering and event services for private party, private dining, wedding and corporate clients throughout the UK. We have also offered exceptional 'in-house' cafe services in some of Britain's leading visitor attractions, where we have developed a loyal repeat customer base.

Many of our business clients and venue partners have worked with us, and only us, throughout the past decade and more, because they know they can put their faith in our unwavering commitment to the highest possible standards of cooking, service and imaginative event delivery.

Our mantra is ‘building a business to be proud of’, and as we grow and flourish in the world of bespoke events and weddings, we still remain true to our original ethos: to provide an amazing experience that goes beyond the remarkable food we serve.

What You'll Do:

• Drive organic growth through innovation and new event initiatives

• Lead the expansion of the events department and develop a wider events calendar beyond core venue sales

• Identify new revenue opportunities and maximise sales, profitability, and service quality

• Build and maintain strong client relationships to deliver long-term, profitable partnerships

• Ensure services are delivered within contract terms, on budget, and to a high standard

• Lead safe, compliant event operations with health and safety as the top priority

• Oversee investment planning for equipment, event spaces, and refurbishment projects

• Manage, coach, and develop the team to deliver high performance and operational excellence

For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description

What You Bring:

• High standard of literacy and numeracy
• Expertly manage senior and often challenging client relationships
• Ability to interpret and utilise complex and varied financial and commercial information
• Extensive experience in delivering high-quality hospitality operations
• Proven operational knowledge, skills and experience in managing multi-site/multi service operations
• Manage multiple workloads and shifting priorities
• Deliver excellence in operational service standards and customer satisfaction
• Demonstrate resilience when faced with multiple business challenges
• Highly developed verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers, clients and employees at all levels
• Achieve set, standards and operate to performance criteria, for example health and safety, hygiene
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative within a team environment

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo 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

At Sodexo, 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.

File Downloads

• UK Rewards and Benefits Guide..pdf
• Senior Event Operations Manager - JD 2026 Private Catering.docx