F&B Director

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Food and beverage is central to Co-op Live's reputation as a world-class entertainment destination. From high-volume concessions and bars to premium suites, galleries, lounges and clubs, our offer delivers exceptional dining, bespoke drinks, and immersive activations that define the guest experience. Through operational excellence, culinary innovation, and premium hospitality, we create memorable moments that set Co-op Live apart.

As
F&B Director
you will be responsible for leading all food and beverage functions, including culinary, operations, sales, and marketing, ensuring outstanding guest experiences, operational efficiency, innovation, and commercial performance.

As a senior leader within EVS and Co-op Live, the role will:

• Oversee the delivery of concessions, bars, lounges, premium hospitality, and special event catering.
• Align Arena F&B with the campus-wide strategy while meeting the unique demands of a leading entertainment venue.
• Working closely with Director of F&B Operations, drive innovation in food concepts, elevate premium experiences, and ensure consistent quality and compliance across all kitchens and outlets.
• Mentor and develop the Arena F&B leadership team, embedding a culture of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.

A FLAVOUR OF THE DAY TO DAY

Operational Leadership

• Lead end to end Arena-based F&B operations across concessions, bars, lounges, and premium hospitality.
• Ensure seamless mobilisation, resourcing, and readiness for all Arena events.
• Oversee rostering, workforce planning, and deployment of large casual and permanent teams.
• Act as senior EVS relationship holder for Arena F&B stakeholders, clients, sponsors, and partners.

Culinary Leadership

• Line-manage and support the Executive Head Chef Director, ensuring consistent standards of food quality, safety, and presentation.
• Champion innovation in culinary concepts and menu design, tailored to both general admission and premium guests.
• Oversee cost control, menu engineering, and supply chain management to optimise margins and sustainability.
• Ensure culinary operations align with Arena brand standards and deliver memorable guest experiences.
• Foster collaboration between culinary and front-of-house teams to ensure guest expectations are met through seamless delivery.

Sales & Marketing

• Provide strategic direction for Arena F&B sales and marketing, ensuring it supports revenue and guest experience goals.
• Hold accountability for Arena F&B revenue targets, working with the Head of Sales & Marketing to set priorities and performance measures.
• Oversee brand positioning of Arena F&B, ensuring marketing campaigns and activations drive engagement and spend per head.
• Ensure strong integration between sales commitments, operational capacity, and culinary delivery.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Deliver F&B operations within budget and to revenue and profit targets.
• Monitor financial performance, margins, and costs, implementing initiatives to drive efficiency and profitability.
• Oversee pricing, menu engineering, and upselling strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing, health & safety, food safety, and allergen regulations.

Leadership & People

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Arena F&B leadership team (Ops, Sales & Marketing, Culinary).
• Create clear progression pathways and build a high-performance, inclusive culture.
• Drive collaboration across teams to ensure seamless guest journeys from sales through to delivery.
• Act as the senior on-site lead for F&B during live events, accountable for safe, compliant, and world-class delivery.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience in a leadership position within large scale events industry or sports venue
• Track record of managing multi-disciplinary F&B functions (operations, sales, marketing, culinary).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience of delivering large budgets and optimising revenue/margins and managing costs.
• Deep understanding of workforce planning, rostering, and managing large casual teams.
• Strong knowledge of compliance standards (food safety, allergen management, licensing, H&S).
• Experience leading culinary strategy and innovation at scale.
• Ability to inspire and mentor senior managers across diverse functions.
• Collaborative approach with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, live event environment.
• Flexible to work evenings and weekends to support major events.

How to apply:
Please submit your CV to

with the subject line" F&B Director Application - [Your Name]"

Application Deadline: 13th November 2025

What else is in it for you?

• Competitive pay.
• Staff meals / staff meal allowance.
• Opportunity for personal training and development.
• Cross-exposure to the wider business.
• Sick Pay.

BE YOU. WITH US.

We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Wherever you come from, and wherever you're going — we'd love to hear from you.

If you require any additional support or adjustments during the application process, please contact us at

— we're here to help.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the 'Eligibility to Work in the UK' requirements.