Executive Head Chef

Executive Head Chef

Nottingham Forest Football Club, The City Ground, Pavilion Rd, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ

£45,000pa - £50,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits package

40hrs pw 5/7

Job Introduction

Are you ready to take centre stage in one of the UK’s most exciting hospitality and live event environments?

Sodexo Live! is seeking a visionary Executive Head Chef to lead all culinary operations at The City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest FC.From premium hospitality and VIP suites to high-energy fan concessions and large-scale non-matchday events, you will shape and deliver food experiences that match the passion, pace, and prestige of top-flight football.

This is more than a kitchen leadership role; it’s a high-impact culinary leadership position where innovation, commercial performance, and world-class delivery meet.

As Executive Head Chef, you will be the creative and operational driving force behind all food delivery across the stadium.You’ll lead, inspire, and develop a diverse culinary brigade while driving menu innovation, operational excellence, and financial performance across matchday and event operations.

You’ll bring food trends to life, elevate standards, and ensure every plate served reflects quality, consistency, and excitement.

Typical volumes include:

Approx. 20 men’s first team match days per year

Approx. 10 women’s first team match days per year

Approx. 1,500 covers per match day (hospitality & premium areas)

Additional non-matchday conferences, banquets, and events

What You'll Do:

Lead all food production across hospitality, retail, concessions, and event catering, setting the overall culinary vision and standards

Design and deliver trend-led, seasonal, and commercially successful menus, translating food trends into stadium-ready concepts

Deliver premium tastings and support event planning to create standout guest and client dining experiences

Drive operational excellence with consistent quality, presentation, and service standards across all outlets

Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen, and health & safety requirements, championing a Zero Harm culture

Control food and labour costs, manage rotas, and use strong P&L insight to achieve budget and cost-of-sale targets

Maximise profitability through efficient sourcing, waste control, and smart operational planning

Lead, mentor, and inspire the culinary team while building strong cross-functional and client relationships to support continuous improvement

For a full list of responsibilities please read the attached job description

What You Bring:

You’re a confident, resilient culinary leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments. You combine creativity with commercial discipline and lead from the front with energy and credibility.

You bring both flair and control, equally comfortable designing premium menus and executing large-scale service with precision.

You will bring:

Proven senior chef leadership experience in stadia, large venues, hotels, or multi-outlet operations

A strong track record in high-quality, high-volume food environments

A trend-aware, guest-first food philosophy

Demonstrable commercial and cost control success

Hands-on leadership style and operational presence

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Essential Qualifications & Experience

NVQ Level 3 in Culinary Arts (or equivalent)

Level 4 Food Safety & Hygiene (preferred)

Multi-outlet, high-volume catering leadership experience

P&L and cost control responsibility

Strong organisational and team leadership capability

Passion for innovation, sustainability, and memorable food experiences

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.

Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.

Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.

The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.

Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.

Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan

A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo

Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.

Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.

Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.

Flexible and dynamic work environment

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer.We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities.We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer.We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Keywords:

Sodexo, Sodexo Jobs, Sodexo Jobs near me, disability confident, family friendly, inclusive, forces friendly, Executive Head Chef, Stadium / Arena Catering, High-Volume Hospitality, Multi-Outlet Food Operations, Event & Matchday Catering, Premium Hospitality & VIP Dining, Large Venue / Conference & Events Catering, Culinary Leadership & Kitchen Management, Food Cost Control & P&L Responsibility, Menu Innovation & Food Development