Job Introduction
Deputy Account Director – Canary Wharf
We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Account Director to lead a key contract with sites in Canary Wharf, central London, Belfast and Dublin. Managing a turnover of around £8.5m, overseeing a team of 137 individuals, including 5 direct reports, you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence, client satisfaction, and commercial growth across a variety of foodservice offerings, including multiple coffee shops, restaurant, executive dining rooms and hospitality services.
This role requires someone who can robustly lead and manage a large team, problem solve, take ownership of their remit and work autonomously. You will be required to work closely with the culinary team to push the boundaries of culinary innovation and deliver high-quality, exciting experiences for our clients. Whether through new menu creations or exploring cutting-edge food technology, your passion for food will be at the forefront of everything you do.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership: Lead and inspire a diverse team of 137 employees, managing 5 direct reports, focusing on performance, development, skill-building and succession planning.
- Client Relationship Management: Serve as a key point of contact for all clients, building strong partnerships, exceeding expectations, and ensuring long-term satisfaction.
- Sales & Commercial Growth: Identify and drive opportunities for commercial growth, maximising sales potential and effectively “up-selling” services to increase revenue.
- Financial Oversight: Managing turnover, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and cost control to meet and exceed financial targets.
- Operational Excellence: Overseeing the daily operations of 3 Coffee bars, Staff Restaurant, Executive dining rooms, and Hospitality services, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality service and exceptional guest experiences.
- Innovation & Collaboration: Work closely with the Executive Chef to drive culinary and technological innovation, introducing new concepts, trends, and techniques that will enhance the dining experience for clients and customers.
- Performance Reporting: Regularly analyse financial performance, identify areas for improvement, and report on key metrics to ensure the account meets its objectives.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Proven Leadership: Extensive experience in managing large teams, within a high-quality catering and hospitality establishment, ideally with a multimillion turnover.
- Commercially Savvy: Strong financial acumen, able to manage a significant budget, maximise profit, and drive sales and growth.
- Client-Focused: A relationship-builder with a passion for exceeding client expectations and fostering long-term partnerships.
- Entrepreneurial: You treat your account as your own business, using innovation and strategic thinking to grow and evolve the operation.
- Results-Oriented: Highly analytical, able to track performance, adjust strategies as needed, and consistently deliver on both financial and operational targets.
- Proactive Leadership: A self-motivated leader who takes initiative, drives change, and creates a culture of continuous improvement within the team. Able to anticipate challenges and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
- A True Foodie: A passion for food and exceptional dining experiences. You will work closely with the Executive Chef to push culinary boundaries, whether through new food concepts or integrating the latest food technologies to enhance the guest experience.
As Deputy Account Director, you will lead a team to deliver world-class service across all areas of the business, driving growth, operational excellence, and culinary innovation. If you are an experienced leader with a love for food and a drive to deliver outstanding customer experiences, we would love to hear from you!
Additional Benefits:
- Free meals
- Subsidised gym membership
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career development through Career Pathways and MyLearning
- Digital GP access for you and your family, plus additional healthcare benefits
- Travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com, and more
- Grocery discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and others
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cash rewards for purchases, redeemable on a wide range of brands
- Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
- Share discounts with friends and family
About Us
Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
Job Reference: com/2102/67891001/52719823/SU #RA Group
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!