Job Title: Head of Stadium Catering
Job Grade: RL4
Reports to: Venue Sales Director
Location: Gtech Community Stadium and Vantage
Department: Commercial
Sub-department: Venue
Salary: Up to £75,000
The Club
Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.
Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.
We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.
We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.
We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.
Job Overview
Now in our fifth year as a Premier League Club, Brentford FC is firmly established at the top level of English football. Growth on the pitch is driving growth off the pitch, and we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, creative, resourceful, and collaborative professional to join our dynamic Commercial Department as Head of Stadium Catering. Reporting to the Venue Sales Director, the successful candidate will have management responsibilities and oversight for all commercial and operational functions associated with catering activities at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Head of Stadium Catering will be responsible for managing the relationship with the appointed food and beverage partner (currently Levy UK) on both a macro and micro level.
This diverse role requires a strategic approach to long term goal setting balanced with detailed operational knowledge to help drive performance standards and efficiencies day-to-day.
The Head of Stadium Catering will work closely with the Venue Sales Director to translate the Club’s business and growth plans into clear catering objectives, budgets and delivery plans.
The Head of Stadium Catering will be based between the Gtech Community Stadium and the Brentford FC head office (Vantage London).
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the Club’s data-driven catering strategy, aligned to Club-wide commercial and brand objectives, with clear service, revenue, profitability, customer experience and innovation targets
- Develop and oversee the delivery of sales and service across both general admission areas and all levels of Premium Hospitality
- Manage the relationship with Brentford FC’s catering partner across all commercial and operational workstreams including supporting their on-site management team to ensure high performance and achievement of targets
- Provide functional leadership across the stadium catering operation, ensuring clear accountability, effective collaboration and consistent standards across Club employees and the catering partner’s on-site team
- Hold overall P&L responsibility for catering, including setting and agreeing sales targets, delivering the approved profit margin and rigorously controlling costs within agreed budgets and delegated authority
- Lead the annual catering business planning and budgeting process and provide clear forecasts, performance analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders
- Own catering performance against the approved business and growth plan, taking timely corrective action where revenue, margin or cost performance falls below target
- Set and assure operational, service and quality standards for all stadium-based catering activity, holding the catering partner accountable for corrective action where required
- Lead continuous improvement with the catering partner to enhance customer experience, service delivery and operational efficiency on matchdays and other stadium events
- Prepare detailed reports and presentations for Club Ownership, the Board and the Executive Committee
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory, market and economic developments affecting stadium catering, translating relevant changes into clear actions for the Club and its catering partner
- Anticipate and mitigate commercial risks, including regulatory changes or changes in consumer behaviour
- Analyse sales data and market feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and growth
- Collaborate with the Research and Insights team to incorporate market insights into sales strategies
- Collaborate with the operations team to ensure seamless delivery and service
- Embed the Club’s values and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion within the catering partner’s team onsite
- Ensure the catering function and catering partner operate in accordance with relevant Club policies, contractual requirements, data protection obligations and agreed governance arrangements
- Ensure compliance with all applicable food safety, environmental health, health and safety, licensing, legal, ethical and financial reporting requirements
Knowledge and Specialist Skills
- Extensive senior-level experience leading the commercial and operational performance of complex, large-scale catering contracts within high-profile sports and/or entertainment venues
- Proven ability to manage outsourced service partners through robust contract governance, performance measures and constructive challenge
- Demonstrable ability to translate commercial strategy into practical operational plans and measurable outcomes
- Clear understanding of food and beverage provision on both a premium and mass market scale
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced industry and sector
- Ability to operate with credibility at a strategic level
- Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills
- Evidence of remaining effective, exercising sound judgement and positively influencing others during high-pressure event delivery
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to present complex commercial and operational information to senior stakeholders
- Numerate and data-driven with a strong attention to detail
- Able to work unsociable hours including weekends and evenings
- Experience managing and developing team members
- Commitment to continuous professional development and to building capability in others
- Alignment of personal values with Brentford FC
- Demonstrable commitment to acting in the wider interests of the Club and contributing positively beyond the immediate function
- Strong judgement, self-awareness and interpersonal awareness when navigating complex stakeholder relationships
- Ability to maintain perspective, professionalism and sound judgement in a high-profile, fast-moving environment
People Skills
- Build and maintain strong internal relationships across Club Ownership, Board, Executive Committee, Partnerships, Marketing Services, Corporate Affairs, Legal, Fan & Community Relations, Off-Field Operations and Finance
- Communicates with confidence and credibility and takes ownership for delivery
- Builds constructive, collaborative relationships and contributes positively to the working environment
- Ability to influence others and build collaborative relationships
- Resilience and perseverance
- Desire for continuous personal improvement
Key Relationships
- Commercial Director
- Venue Sales Director
- Operations Team
- Catering Partner General Manager
- Catering Partner Staff
- Brentford FC Heads of Department
External Impact
- Represent the Club team in a confident, self-motivated, and enthusiastic manner with external stakeholders
- Act as an ambassador for the Club and represent the catering function at relevant partner, industry and stakeholder events, in line with agreed Club communications protocols
Decision Making
- Make operational and commercial decisions for the catering function within agreed budgets, contractual parameters, delegated authority and Club strategy
- Develop evidence-based recommendations for the Executive Committee and Board on material supplier appointments, contract changes, product mix, pricing strategy and significant investment
- Set and improve internal processes, governance and workflows for the catering function to increase efficiency, control and effectiveness
Innovation
- Develop and implement innovative sales and service plans that support commercial growth and an improved customer experience
- Identify, evaluate and implement new commercial, service and technology-led opportunities that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, revenue and profitability
General Club Accountabilities
- To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirements
- To build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional image
- To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel
- To always maintain a flexible approach to work
Inclusion Statement
Brentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging.
We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds — particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people.
We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability — regardless of background or protected characteristic. Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.
Safeguarding Statement
Brentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field.
To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice.
The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team.
Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.
