Senior Hospitality Operations Manager

About the Role

We are recruiting a Senior Hospitality Operations Manager for a dedicated full-time team delivering hospitality at a major international multi-sport event. The role sits within our client’s Hospitality function. It is based on site in Riyadh, KSA, and runs from ASAP until the end of December 2026, covering readiness, event time and dismantling. This role is open to candidates currently based in Saudi Arabia only.

The event will bring together thousands of athletes and team officials from across the region, competing across multiple sports and venues.

You will:

• Lead all hospitality services across the event venue and Athletes’ Village
• Plan and deliver catering, uniforms, giveaways and the hospitality look and feel
• Make sure Event Family Lounges, VIP areas and Protocol Lounges are ready on time
• Deliver a seamless experience for VIPs, the Event Family, athletes, officials and media
  

You will lead hospitality teams, front-of-house staff, suppliers and subcontractors. You will work closely with the Organising Committee, Venue Management, Overlay and Security.

This is the most senior operational role in the Hospitality team. It combines planning and supplier management with a strong on-the-ground presence during event time.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Coordination

• Develop and implement hospitality operational plans covering catering, uniforms, giveaways and hospitality look and feel.
• Develop and implement contingency plans for service disruptions, schedule changes and unexpected requirements.

Hospitality Design and Setup

• Supervise the design, procurement, installation and readiness of Event Family Lounges, VIP areas, Protocol Lounges and hospitality facilities.
• Ensure facilities meet accessibility requirements and provide appropriate guest amenities, including prayer rooms and VIP facilities.
• Conduct inspections, testing and operational checks so all hospitality areas are fully ready before the event.

Service Delivery

• Ensure seamless hospitality services and guest journeys for all entitled stakeholder groups.
• Coordinate and monitor catering services, food quality and service delivery across all designated areas.
• Supervise hospitality teams and front-of-house staff, ensuring proper deployment, training and service standards.

Supplier and Stakeholder Management

• Oversee hospitality suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring timely delivery, quality control and compliance with approved requirements.
• Liaise with the Organising Committee, Venue Management, Overlay, Security and other functional areas.

Event-Time Operations and Close-Out

• Oversee live hospitality operations, ensuring consistent service quality and immediate issue resolution.
• Prepare daily operational reports and monitor service performance.
• Supervise post-event dismantling, equipment removal, inventory reconciliation and final hospitality reporting.

Requirements

• 8+ years’ experience in the events industry or equivalent, including senior management of hospitality operations
• Proven experience delivering VIP and stakeholder hospitality at large-scale events
• Currently based in Saudi Arabia
• Your own laptop with the software required for the role
• Able to start at short notice and remain for the full contract period

Ideal Background

• Hospitality leadership at major sporting events: strong advantage
• Experience managing master caterers, lounge build and hospitality suppliers
• Strong understanding of VIP and protocol expectations in Saudi Arabia

Languages

• English: required
• Arabic: preferred

Working Conditions

• Full-time and exclusive: fully dedicated to the project for the contract period
• Mobilisation: ASAP
• On site in Riyadh
• KSA-based candidates only: applicants must currently be resident in Saudi Arabia
• Own equipment: you must have your own laptop with the required software