Events Catering Manager | EICC

Job Title - Events Manager

Reporting To - Operations Manager

Location - Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Edinburgh

Responsible For - Operations Supervisors, Team Leaders, Front of House Team Members,

About Nourish

Nourish is a leading hospitality and catering partner, delivering exceptional food, beverage, and event experiences across a diverse portfolio of conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, receptions, festivals, sporting events, and corporate functions. We are committed to innovation, outstanding customer service, operational excellence, and creating memorable experiences for every client and guest.

Job Summary

The Events Manager plays a critical role in the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of catering and hospitality services across all events within the venue. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider leadership team, the Events Manager will ensure exceptional customer experiences, operational excellence, financial performance, and team development.

The role requires a highly organised, commercially aware, and hands-on individual who can manage multiple events simultaneously, lead large operational teams, and consistently deliver outstanding food and beverage experiences that exceed client expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Event Planning & Delivery

• Lead the operational planning, management, and delivery of events across the venue, ensuring exceptional execution and customer satisfaction.
• Manage a wide variety of events including conferences, exhibitions, corporate receptions, awards ceremonies, gala dinners, festivals, public events, and high-profile functions.
• Coordinate all event logistics, ensuring effective communication between clients, sales teams, chefs, suppliers, and operational teams.
• Ensure detailed event briefs are produced and communicated effectively to all stakeholders.
• Act as a senior operational contact throughout event delivery, ensuring client requirements are met and exceeded.
• Oversee event setup, service delivery, and post-event breakdown activities.
• Proactively resolve operational challenges and ensure service recovery where required.

Customer Experience

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, venue stakeholders, and event organisers.
• Ensure Nourish consistently delivers service that exceeds client expectations.
• Lead customer liaison processes throughout the event lifecycle.
• Implement effective systems for gathering, reviewing, and responding to client feedback.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement based on customer insights and operational review.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, inspire, and motivate front-of-house operational teams to deliver exceptional service standards.
• Manage supervisors, team leaders, and event staff, ensuring clear accountability and performance expectations.
• Support recruitment, induction, training, and development of team members.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to maximise individual and team performance.
• Foster a positive working culture built on teamwork, innovation, engagement, and accountability.
• Ensure effective communication through regular team briefings, meetings, and event reviews.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain exceptional standards across all catering and hospitality operations.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of food and beverage service, event management, hospitality trends, and industry best practices.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative and company requirements, including: 
  • Food Safety and Hygiene
  • Health & Safety
  • Licensing Regulations
  • Employment Law
  • Fire Safety
  • Venue Policies and Procedures
• Manage staffing levels effectively to ensure operational requirements are met while controlling labour costs.
• Oversee procurement, stock control, storage, and usage of: 
  • Crockery
  • Cutlery
  • Glassware
  • Linen
  • Uniforms
  • Disposable service items
  • Small equipment
• Ensure all operational resources are available and maintained to support service delivery.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Manage event staffing and labour planning in line with budgetary targets and forecasted demand.
• Monitor event profitability and identify opportunities to maximise revenue.
• Investigate and address operational cost variances, revenue shortfalls, and inefficiencies.
• Support payroll forecasting and ensure accurate recording of staff working hours.
• Manage stock control processes, audits, and inventory management.
• Protect company assets through effective security and control procedures.
• Support business growth through excellent operational delivery and repeat business opportunities.

Continuous Improvement & Business Development

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the event operation.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging hospitality developments.
• Contribute ideas to enhance service delivery, customer experience, and commercial performance.
• Work collaboratively with sales and venue teams to identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Support the development of new products, services, and event concepts that strengthen Nourish's market position.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Customer satisfaction scores and client feedback.
• Successful delivery of events to agreed standards.
• Achievement of labour and operational cost targets.
• Revenue growth and profitability.
• Team engagement, retention, and performance.
• Health & Safety and Food Safety compliance.
• Repeat business and client retention.
• Operational efficiency and continuous improvement outcomes.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 2 years' experience in event management, hospitality operations, catering, or conference venue management.
• Experience managing large-scale events and multiple concurrent events.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Outstanding organisational and project management abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Financial awareness and experience managing budgets and labour costs.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• Experience within a conference, events, or contract catering environment.
• Personal Licence Holder qualification.
• Food Hygiene qualification.
• First Aid qualification.
• Events or Hospitality Management qualification.
• Knowledge of EPOS and event management systems.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Professional, confident, and approachable.
• Positive and proactive attitude.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Commercially aware and results-driven.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

Why Join Nourish with Levy?

At Nourish with Levy, we're passionate about creating memorable hospitality experiences while investing in our people.

You'll enjoy:

• Competitive salary
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Healthcare and wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Exclusive retail, travel and lifestyle discounts
• Meals on duty
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• A supportive, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive

Why EICC?

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is one of Europe's leading conference and events venues, hosting everything from global conventions and exhibitions to prestigious awards ceremonies and high-profile corporate events. Every event is different, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills while working with an experienced and passionate team.

Ready to Deliver Extraordinary?

If you're an ambitious hospitality professional looking to grow your career in event catering, we'd love to hear from you.

today and become part of a team that's delivering unforgettable events with Nourish with Levy at the EICC.

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.