The posting
What you’ll be serving up… The Managing Director – Elior at Work will set and lead the strategy for the Elior at Work division within Elior UK’s Business & Industry portfolio, accountable for increasing market share and delivering sustainable growth and net operating profit. The role will protect and develop existing business, strengthen the distinct position and personality of the Elior at Work brand, and create compelling propositions that secure new opportunities and contract growth. This is a highly visible leadership role combining long-term strategic thinking, disciplined commercial delivery and meaningful senior client engagement. Working in close partnership with senior clients, business development and the Marketing Director – Business & Industry, the Managing Director builds trusted relationships and ensures Elior at Work delivers innovative solutions, outstanding service and measurable value. The role leads a senior operations and support-function team and is responsible for a significant nationwide portfolio of valued clients. Key Accountabilities
Develop and execute the Elior at Work divisional strategy, translating Elior UK and Business & Industry priorities into clear commercial and operational plans aligned to the growth ambitions and market positioning of the brand.
Deliver annual revenue, sales, profit and budget commitments, with robust forecasting, performance management and appropriate contingency plans.
Shape annual business plans, proposition development, growth priorities, innovation roadmaps and investment decisions for the division.
Identify and pursue opportunities to grow market share through client retention, contract growth, organic growth, innovation and new business.
Maintain effective control of overheads, resources and commercial risk while protecting service quality, margin and long-term value.
Establish clear performance measures covering revenue growth, pipeline contribution, bid conversion, client retention, margin and return on investment.
Clients, Market and Growth
Build trusted, proactive relationships with senior clients and act as executive sponsor for key accounts.
Ensure the division consistently exceeds client expectations and delivers a distinctive, value-added service proposition.
Work closely with business development to strengthen go-to-market strategy, tender narratives, bid content, sales enablement and pitch impact, driving new business conversion and a healthy pipeline.
Partner with the Marketing Director – Business & Industry to protect and grow the Elior at Work brand, supporting client retention, contract growth, participation, loyalty and brand advocacy.
Use client, consumer, market and competitor insight to stay close to food-service, workplace and consumer trends, translating them into commercially relevant propositions that strengthen Elior at Work’s competitive advantage.
Represent Elior at Work credibly at pitches, strategic reviews and industry events, and with clients, partners and other external stakeholders.
Operational Leadership
Lead the operational function, setting clear standards for safety, quality, service, compliance and commercial delivery.
Maintain visible engagement across a nationwide, multi-site portfolio and ensure decisions reflect front-line realities.
Ensure propositions and client commitments are credible, scalable, operationally deliverable and consistently activated at site level.
Promote continuous improvement, disciplined execution and the adoption of best practice across the division.
Ensure governance, management information and business reviews support timely, evidence-based decisions.
Leadership and Stakeholder Relationships
Build, lead and develop a high-performing senior operations and support-function team.
Own succession, talent, capability and organisational planning for the division.
Create an inclusive, accountable culture in which colleagues understand priorities, collaborate effectively and perform at their best.
Operate as a strategic adviser to the Managing Director – Business & Industry, constructively challenging priorities and bringing an informed client and market perspective.
Work collaboratively with functional and divisional directors across Elior UK to deliver shared objectives and maximise group capability.
The ingredients you'll bring...
Skills and Experience
Substantial experience in a senior director or equivalent leadership role, ideally within contract catering, food service or a related multi-site service environment.
A strong record of developing and implementing business-led strategies that deliver sustainable growth, profitability, client retention, new business conversion and improved market position.
Demonstrable accountability for a complex, multi-site operation and significant client portfolio.
Proven success in retaining and developing senior client relationships, contributing to pitches, strategic reviews and bids, and delivering strong commercial outcomes.
Experience leading senior leaders through change and building high-performing, accountable teams.
Strong financial and commercial acumen, connecting investment to revenue growth, retention, margin and ROI, including ownership of budgets, forecasts, cost control and performance improvement.
Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the agility to engage credibly at board, client and front-line levels.
Ability to move comfortably between long-term strategy and hands-on delivery in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Competencies
Motivating and Inspiring – Shares the vision, strategy and ambition; empowers others; leads by example and with authenticity; thanks, expresses recognition and celebrates success; leverages strengths; creates good working conditions.
Engaged and Accountable – Does their best to achieve or exceed the objectives; efficiently manages resources (team, budget, time); is demanding of themselves and others; respects their commitments; takes and assumes responsibility.
Team Player – Cooperates spontaneously and actively with others across functions; supports collective decisions; identifies common goals; promotes a spirit of teamwork; asks for help; shares time, information and skills; contributes to the success of others.
Developer of People – Delegates, gives responsibility and supports; gives regular, transparent and constructive feedback; helps others identify strengths, development needs and aspirations; suggests and supports internal mobility and development plans.
Thinking Outside of the Box – Challenges the current way of doing things and proposes new ones in order to improve; asks for and acts on feedback; keeps up to date on others’ practice; shares and adopts best practice or creates innovative solutions; reacts to change with openness.
Courageous and Influential – Presents their opinions with assertiveness; listens actively; impacts and influences others’ thoughts and actions; makes difficult decisions and takes risks in the interest of the company.
Focused on the Front Line – Goes into the field to understand the context and needs of the business and its customers; listens to and supports front-line colleagues; considers front-line needs and challenges when defining solutions and action plans.
Efficient in Execution – Defines or clarifies objectives, roles, responsibilities and methods; sets priorities and planning; cares about details; checks the validity and clarity of information; ensures quality of delivery; respects the confidentiality of data.
Measures of Success
Sustainable revenue and net operating profit growth, delivered against budget.
Increased market share and clear, differentiated positioning for Elior at Work.
Measurable pipeline growth, bid conversion and new business wins.
Strong client retention, contract growth and advocacy across the portfolio.
High operational standards in safety, quality, service and compliance.
A capable, engaged senior leadership team with robust succession plans.
