Director, Food & Beverage - Olympic & Paralympic Games

TKO•Los Angeles, CA

5d•$112,500 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director will be part of the On Location Event Production department. This role will be responsible for the project planning, contract management, mobilization, operational delivery, and demobilization of catering services for the Official On Location Hospitality Programmes for the LA28 Olympics and Paralympics. The Senior Manager, Catering Services reports to this role. During the planning phase, the Director will be responsible for managing multiple catering contracts across multiple venues, while assisting with development and implementation of the catering strategy and concept of operations across all competition venues, as well as focusing in on one or more of the specific and specialist planning elements for the overall project. During the Operational Phase, the role will evolve into an operational role and manage the Catering Operation team at competition venue level with the site venue management of the hospitality catering operations, catering service providers and On Location venue team.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of experience in large scale international sport events preferably in the field of premium hospitality, catering operations
Presently resides (or wiling to relocate) to Los Angeles, CA.
Good knowledge of international and localized food and beverage cultures relating to hospitality services at major sporting events
Experience of working in both a stadium environment and temporary hospitality structure
Ability to design and deliver a major Food and Beverage Programme to the highest of standards within fixed budgets and timelines
Experience and understanding of front and back of house operations involved in delivering high quality hospitality guest experience
An in-depth understanding and experience of international event catering procurement and contract management from tender design to execution
Ability to coordinate operational teams composed of direct reports, multiple contractors and services suppliers in delivering high level hospitality programmes

Nice To Haves

Experience interacting with exacting, high profile clients and protocols for Games Family and Heads of State
Experience in working in a multi-cultural organisation and with international stakeholders such as Government Organisations, Sporting Federations and Local Organising Committees
Ability to work calmly under pressure and meet multiple deadlines. Meticulous attention to detail
Flexible in a constantly evolving environment with good proactive problem-solving skills
Strong project management and time management skills
Good administration and IT skills including Microsoft Office and Cloud based Programmes
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Excellent team leader and developer of junior management team

Responsibilities

Support development and implementation of the catering strategy, concept of operations, service levels, and product specifications for the Official Hospitality Programmes.
Conduct local and international market research to inform programme decisions.
Lead recruitment for designated venues and support venue-team training and Catering Service Provider workforce training.
Direct and monitor venue teams to ensure delivery against staffing plans, business objectives, and On Location standards.
Support procurement, tendering, contracting, product specifications, menus, staffing ratios, scopes of work, and related legal documentation.
Evaluate proposals and commercial terms, support negotiations, and provide recommendations to the Senior Leadership Procurement Committee.
Manage supplier timelines, deliverables, risk obligations, and budgets from award through completion.
Coordinate FOH/BOH space, infrastructure, utilities, equipment, licensing, permits, and stakeholder approvals.
Develop venue SOPs, operational narratives, runsheets, policies, and procedures.
Identify opportunities to improve hospitality product delivery and client experience.
Track project milestones, workstreams, risks, and deliverables, ensuring Catering Service Provider compliance with health, safety, food safety, hygiene, and legal requirements.
Support provider workshops and report project progress to the VP, Olympic and Paralympic Event Production and Venue Management.
Resolve guest and client complaints and service issues; escalate unresolved or cross-venue risks to the VP.
Ensure operational readiness, standby coverage, pre-event risk and safety checks, allergen controls, and timely issue closeout.
Establish venue reporting systems and consolidate live-day readiness, operational service, KPI, consumption, reconciliation, issue-log, and risk-assessment reports.