Director of Accommodation Catering & Events

Location: Oxford
Salary: £60,000 - £65,336 (DOE) + excellent benefits
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Full-time, permanent

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Director of Accommodation Catering & Events to join a prestigious heritage property located in the heart of Oxford.

This is a senior operational leadership role overseeing accommodation, dining, hospitality services, security, and events within an exceptional historic environment renowned for excellence, tradition, and world-class guest experience.

The property is also undertaking a major redevelopment project's largest expansion in over three centuries making this a highly exciting time to join.

As Director of Accommodation, Catering & Events, you will lead multiple operational departments and deliver a seamless, high-quality experience across accommodation, dining, hospitality, events, and guest services.

You will oversee a diverse team across:

• Kitchen & Culinary

• Dining & Service

• Housekeeping

• Reception, Lodge & Security

• Events & Hospitality

Core responsibilities include:

• Daily management of all operational departments

• Delivering a schedule of formal dinners, daily food & beverage services, receptions, hospitality and high-profile events

• Financial management: procurement, budgeting, stock control, payroll oversight and expenditure approvals

• Oversight of accommodation allocation, upkeep, furnishings and short-let management

• Leadership and development of c. 46 staff, including recruitment, training, performance and annual appraisals

• Ensuring compliance across security, health & safety, food safety and operational policies

• Committee participation, reporting, planning and representing operations at senior level

• Supporting large-scale redevelopment planning and future operational integration

• Oversight of specialist areas including wine cellar management and silver inventory (with team support)

This is a highly varied and influential hospitality leadership role in a unique and prestigious environment.

We are seeking a polished, professional operations leader with:

Essential:

• Significant multi-department operational management experience

• A strong track record in leadership and staff development

• High levels of organisation, attention to detail and service excellence

• Budgeting, procurement and financial management experience

• Ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Ability to prioritise a varied workload and manage complex operational demands

• Strong IT capability and understanding of digital optimisation

• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends during peak periods

• Ability to pass a DBS check

Desirable:

• Hospitality, conference, or venue management background

• Professional operational qualification

• Experience with wine cellar or stock management

• Knowledge of H&S, HR, licensing or food safety compliance

• £60,000 - £65,336 dependent on experience

• 40-hour week with paid meal breaks

• Free meals on duty

• Outstanding pension scheme

• Private medical insurance (post-probation, including family cover)

• Enhanced holiday entitlement including public holidays and seasonal closures

• TOIL available for extra hours worked

• Exceptional work environment within a historic, prestigious setting

• Participation in strategic planning and major redevelopment projects