Head of Public Catering

Organisation: Crystal Palace FC
Salary: Competitive
Location: Selhurst Park Stadium, SE25 6PU
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 3 August 2025
Job Description: Job Location Selhurst Park Stadium, SE25 6PU

Contract Type Full-time

Salary/ ROP Competitive

Deadline 3rd August 2025

Who we are:

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - our London office, Selhurst Park stadium, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees
We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

Oversee all operational and commercial activities related to public catering and bars across Crystal Palace Football Club, ensuring outstanding customer service, increased profitability, compliance, and a high performance team environment both for match and non-match days.

Responsibilities:

Using and implementing a technology first approach including seeking out new products and developing processes.
Provide strategic leadership for retail, bar and catering operations, including comprehensive planning (using data and insights) and budgeting to deliver efficient, customer-focused service and drive profitability.
Manage, forecast, and control stock for all public catering areas, executive boxes, lounges, bars and event spaces within the stadium.
Collaborate with procurement, suppliers and contractors to maintain exceptional standards of service and product quality.
Promote continual product development and innovative offerings to drive revenue and maximise spend per customer
Take full financial responsibility for all relevant operations, including P&L oversight, cost management and budget reporting.
Report on Public Catering operations match by match by analysing data to continually improve and streamline the department.
Supervise and engage in the set up and delivery of logistics and food and beverage services for all meetings, conferences, events and matchdays.
Ensure operational compliance with budget parameters, business standards, food safety and licensing regulations, health and safety and stock control policies.
Act as Designated Premises Supervisor for Selhurst Park Stadium ensuring all licensing regulations and processes are upheld and liaising with relevant authorities.
Lead workforce planning for all catering and bar areas, ensuring staffing levels meet business needs and service excellence is maintained across events, match days and special fixtures (including women’s and academy matches, and pitch hires).
Recruit, train, develop and retain full-time staff and casual workers, providing regular performance reviews and implementing talent development initiatives
Work closely with the Head of Premium, Executive Chef, HR, Insights, Events, Marketing and Finance team to maximise event and match day sales, profit and guest satisfaction.
Be present for all match days and key events at Selhurst Park as required by business needs
Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

Personal Licence Holder (Required)
Food Safety Level 3 (Required)
Demonstrated experience in a senior management role within Stadium or large-scale catering operations, or a comparable environment
Excellent working knowledge of health and safety and food safety standards and legislation
Strong IT proficiency, including relevant industry systems
Strong financial acumen including forecasting and budgeting experience
Demonstrates drive, leadership, enthusiasm, professionalism and integrity
Natural leadership qualities with proven team management experience.

Benefits:

Complimentary match day ticket
Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app
Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme
20% Discount in our Retail Stores
Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex
Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
Travel Season Ticket loan
Holiday allowance that increases every year of service

Our commitment to Equality

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity.

We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk (DLO inbox is for disability-related queries only, if you wish to gain further information regarding this vacancy, please contact cpfc.recruitment@cpfc.co.uk). We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
How to apply: https://ce0720li.webitrent.com/ce0720li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=5342252rYN&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=2892374BTq