General Manager at Blackburn Rovers FC

At Sodexo Live!, we create exceptional moments at some of the world’s most iconic venues. We are now seeking an inspiring General Manager to lead our operations at Ewood Park, delivering outstanding hospitality, retail and event experiences for fans, partners and guests.

This is more than an operational leadership role. It is an opportunity to shape the entire matchday and non-matchday experience, lead high-performing teams, and drive commercial success at one of football’s historic stadiums.

If you are a dynamic hospitality leader with stadium or large venue experience, strong commercial acumen and a passion for delivering unforgettable experiences, this is your opportunity to make your mark.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership for all Sodexo Live! operations at Ewood Park, ensuring exceptional service across matchdays, hospitality, retail and events.
• Act as the senior point of contact for the venue partner, building trusted relationships and delivering on shared ambitions for the venue.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary team, creating a culture of collaboration, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Drive commercial performance and profitability, managing P&L accountability while identifying new revenue opportunities and growth initiatives.
• Oversee premium hospitality, public retail, conferences and events, ensuring service delivery consistently exceeds guest expectations.
• Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence, including food safety, licensing, and health and safety standards.
• Develop and implement the venue business plan, aligning operational strategy with both Sodexo Live! and partner objectives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, new concepts and enhanced fan experiences, keeping the venue at the forefront of stadium hospitality.

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

What You Bring

• Proven leadership experience within stadium, arena, or large-scale hospitality venues.
• Strong commercial mindset with experience managing P&L and delivering financial performance.
• Experience managing large, diverse operational teams across multiple departments.
• Strong client relationship management skills with the ability to influence at senior level.
• Demonstrated success in hospitality, retail, and events operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and leading teams to achieve excellence.

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

Applications: