Head of Events, Hospitality and Business Services Candidate Information Pack
Contents
Introduction London Metropolitan University The Estate Job description and person specification Working at London Met Application process
Introduction London Metropolitan University is a striving and ambitious institution committed to transforming the lives of its students through excellent education. We are committed to making education available to people from all walks of life, creating and advancing social justice, social mobility and access to opportunity and professions. Our graduates benefit personally, but also contribute to society, culture, public services and the economy in all areas of London, the UK and around the world. Reporting to the Director of Estates, the Head of Events, Hospitality and Business Services is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of commercial activity and associated income generation across the London Met Estate Portfolio and leads the delivery of high-quality, financially viable and customer focused commercial services spanning the areas of catering, conferencing and events and sport. This is a senior influential role that will ensure students, staff and visitors of London Met enjoy a high-quality customer-focused experience from hospitality services and that the function delivers a positive financial contribution to the University. We are seeking an individual with demonstrable experience of leading customer-focused commercial and hospitality services across a dynamic and diverse portfolio. You will have extensive experience of leading and managing teams, with a proven track record of implementing transformation to deliver performance improvement. A high level of commercial acumen is vital, with budget management including setting and achieving financial targets being a key aspect of the role. This role provides the opportunity for an ambitious commercial leader to develop an industry-leading, customer-focused portfolio of hospitality and business services within an ambitious and aspirational organisation.
London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University has a rich history with strong educational roots dating back to 1848. The University as it is today was created in 2002 with the merging of London Guildhall University and the University of North London, the first merger between two universities in the UK. Based in one of the world’s most exciting capital cities, London Met is home to a diverse community of inspiring and determined learners, teachers and innovative thinkers. We offer a wide range of courses, from undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to short courses and professional qualifications, many of which are available to study full-time or part-time. We take pride in helping our students reach their goals and succeed in their careers. 96.7% of all London Met graduates are in work or further study within six months (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016–17). All of our undergraduate courses include some form of work-related learning, such as a placement, client project or on-campus work experience, and many courses are accredited by professional bodies.
Our mission To transform lives through the power of education.
Academic vision To be the university of choice, transforming lives for a diverse range of students from London, the UK and around the world.
Our values • Integrity • Excellence • Service • Collaboration and teamwork • Effective citizenship
We had a total of 9,714 UK-based higher education students in 2018–19, of which:
The University’s academic structure is made up of six schools
Guildhall School of Business and Law Offering a dynamic and relevant portfolio of business and law courses.
School of Computi Media Offering qualificatio creative technologie
School of Social Professions Focusing on employability and developing graduates for the world of work.
School of Social S Demonstrating the r science as a tool for change.
g and Digital s in subjects from to electronics.
School of Human Sciences Offering a wide range of courses in subjects including science, dietetics, and sport.
iences levance of social affecting societal
The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design Internationally recognised for high quality teaching, excellent facilities and unique opportunities.
The Estate The university is spread across two teaching campuses totalling 79,599 sqm GIA: one in the heart of Aldgate which houses the Sir John Cass School of Art, Design and Architecture ranked 4th in the UK university league tables. The main campus is in Islington which includes the award winning Graduate Centre designed by internationally acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind. In addition there is the specialist business incubator, the Accelerator, located in Shoreditch and highly regarded for its annual Big Ideas Challenge. Innovative teaching spaces In spring 2018 we opened our brand new world-class teaching facility in the Roding Building consisting of 11 high-spec classrooms installed with cutting-edge technology, including a state of the art Ideation room with the world’s largest, interactive, digital whiteboard. There are study commons rooms, a variety of social spaces and accompanying breakout seminar rooms, IT suites and collaboration spaces, across three floors. Specialist facilities We officially opened the University’s Cyber Security Research Centre in September 2018 with a dedicated investment of £500,000. The University also boasts state-of-the art facilities from a brand new UN accredited Translation and Interpretation Suite, a mock courtroom, Bloomberg suite and purpose-built art, design and recording studios. Student Union Opened in 2018, our newly refurbished Harglenis building is a space dedicated to our Students’ union centre providing social and office space with its own student radio studio station, Verve. Library and study space Housed within a refurbished 1960’s glass factory, this facility provides over 9642sqm GIA of formal learning space with a wide range of study spaces and facilities to support student learning. Hospitality and catering The university supports seven catering outlets across all of its campuses including a brand new catering outlet called the Highbury Canteen providing a combination of hot meals and branded coffee shops. This is in addition to the 352 seat licensed Rocket Student Bar and recently refurbished 400 seat Great Hall venue built in 1896 which is used for a wide scope of events such as conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, award ceremonies, receptions and conventions.
Business Incubation Based in Shoreditch, our specialist business incubator space, Accelerator provides the perfect home for the student enterprise programme which gives London Met’s passionate early stage entrepreneurs a chance to turn their business ideas into viable ventures through a network of advisors and investors, experts and mentors and an active events and initiatives programme. For 15 years Accelerator has been helping their community of tech start ups to grow and scale in the heart of Tech City. World Class teaching laboratories We have spent over £30 million to create one of the largest and most advanced science teaching facilities in Europe. Our Science Centre on Holloway Road is home to an incredible Superlab, which has 280 individual workstations and is one of the largest and most advanced science teaching facilities in Europe. The centre offers exceptional teaching and research facilities, giving our students a cutting-edge experience of learning science.
Job Description
Head of Events, Hospitality and Business Services Reports to the Director of Estates and is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of commercial activity and associated income generation and the delivery of high-quality, financially viable and customer focused commercial services spanning the areas of catering, conferencing and events and sport: • Develop and implement a strategy to ensure that London Metropolitan University provides an industry-leading and acclaimed catering, conferencing and events and sport offer to students, staff and visitors whilst ensuring a financial contribution for the University. • As a leading member of the university-wide Commercial Activities Working Group, play a key role in identifying, promoting and delivering opportunities for commercial development across London Metropolitan University. • Lead the strategic and operational delivery of Commercial Activities, ensuring that a high-quality, customer-focused catering, conferencing and events and sport offer is provided to London Metropolitan University students, staff, visitors and, where appropriate, the wider community. • Lead, manage, direct and develop internal staff teams delivering a range of commercial activities. • Lead the drive to manage the performance and standards of service providers and suppliers. • Design, implement and continually evolve strategy for catering provision, ensuring a fit-for-purpose delivery model that is high-quality and commercially viable. • Develop and deliver Commercial Services’ financial plan, forecasts, budgets etc. • Take full budgetary responsibility for the delivery of commercial activities, including the planning and management of budgets and profit/revenue generation. • Lead the design, implementation and continuous development of strategy for conferencing and events provision, providing a high-quality internal offer as well as a competitive revenue generating offer to the external market. • Lead the design, implementation and continuous development of strategy for sport provision, providing a high-quality internal offer as well as a competitive revenue generating offer to the external market.
• Ensure that revenue capture and profitability is maximised; strive to exceed consumer expectation, developing quality products and delivering exceptional service/events. • Lead and motivate an internal team of staff working across the full range of activities undertaken by the Commercial Activities function; foster a culture of excellence, innovation and commercial and customer mindset throughout the function. • Lead and manage the planning, allocation, implementation and management of resources (both financial, people and asset), processes and organisational structure to ensure the delivery of high quality services; optimise the balance between in-house service delivery and external contract provision. • Manage and coordinate the design and development of facilities and initiatives for refurbishment, improvement and investment. • Work proactively and collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that all activity is both customer led and commercially viable. • Define and implement key performance indicators that will measure service delivery against business objectives and any contractual requirements and take remedial action as required. • Drive the use of technology to ensure all operational processes and procedures are effective and efficient. • Contribute as a member of Estates’ Senior Management team to drive innovation, improve performance, efficiency and service quality whilst consistently seeking additional commercial opportunities that would benefits all consumer groups. • Manage the provision of marketing, communications and events to promote commercial and wider Estates’ initiatives. • Lead and manage the provision of efficient and effective business and administrative support including secretariat, PA support to the Director and Senior Management Team, central record management/filing, office services and switchboard.
Person Specification The post requires the managerial background and experience necessary to provide professional and strategic advice at a senior management level, to identify and implement opportunities for improvement and the management of change. • Proven track record of leading (at both a strategic and operational level) a large-scale portfolio of commercial services/activities and associated resources. • Demonstrable experience of strategic and operational management of at least one or more or the following areas: catering; conferencing and events and sport. • Very strong commercial acumen and customer focus. • Ability to establish and manage effective internal and external relationships, partnerships and networks. • Experience and ability to lead and motivate a large, multi-functional team from senior managers through to operational staff across a diverse range of areas. • Proven experience in the procurement and management of externally contracted goods and services. • High level budgetary management and financial forecasting experience, with a high degree of commercial acumen and a track record of creating surplus/profit making services. • Experience in leading change, transformation and innovation resulting in improved commercial productivity and enhanced service delivery. • Ability to analyse trends and implement strategies. • Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills at a senior level. • Experience in managing departmental support staff and processes.
Working at London Met
In addition to the working in an ambitious, dynamic and diverse organisation and a competitive salary level, staff working at the University additionally benefit from: • generous annual leave entitlement • a career salary average pension scheme with up to 18% employer contribution • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) members have the option to pay into shared cost salary sacrifice AVCs • a fee waiver scheme for staff undertaking relevant University courses • free on-site sport and fitness facilities including gymnasium use and classes • access to 24/7 confidential support from our Employee Assistance Programme by phone or a mobile app which includes telephone counselling • free employee eye tests and discounted spectacles through our eye care voucher scheme • interest free season ticket loan (after completing probationary period) • a professional staff development programme • tax efficient salary sacrifice schemes for childcare vouchers, cycles and cycling equipment • employee private healthcare plan through the Simply Health cash plan • access to library facilities • access to below market rate sports injuries treatments • a broad range of formal and informal development opportunities to enhance your career • commitment to lifelong learning.
Equality and diversity policy We value and support the contribution of our staff and seek to ensure that all our staff are supported and enabled and do not face unnecessary barriers to their successful employment. We have set out our commitments in our staff policies including our Equality and Diversity Policy and also through our commitment as a Disability Confident Committed.
Application Process The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG). To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisor Hayley Mintern (hayley.mintern@mrgpeople.co.uk) of MRG on 0208 892 0115. Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and a covering letter (of not more than 2 pages).
Applications should be sent to hayley.mintern@mrgpeople.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 27th September 2019. Final stage assessment interviews will be held at London Met on w/c 14th October 2019.
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