The Role
Leads the strategy, commercial growth, brand development, supplier network, and operational delivery of a multi-site event food and fan zone proposition across the UK and Europe. Oversees budgets, P&L, planning, mobilisation, live event operations, compliance, customer experience, contractors, traders, and multiple concurrent activations.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Head of CARGO GLOBAL EATS will lead the strategic, commercial and operational development of CARGO GLOBAL EATS across Freemans Event Partners (FEP) events and venues in the UK and Europe.
The role will drive the growth of the CARGO GLOBAL EATS brand across major sporting events, festivals, permanent venues and fan zones, overseeing the full lifecycle from concept and mobilisation through to live delivery and breakdown.
This is a senior, hands-on role, responsible for budgets, suppliers, stakeholders and multiple concurrent activations, ensuring CARGO GLOBAL EATS delivers a consistent, high-quality customer experience while meeting commercial and operational objectives.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and wider Commercial, Marketing and Operations teams, the role will identify new opportunities and establish CARGO GLOBAL EATS as a leading event food and fan zone proposition.
Job requirements
Essential
Job responsibilities
CARGO GLOBAL EATS Strategy & Brand Leadership
Benefits
The role will drive the growth of the CARGO GLOBAL EATS brand across major sporting events, festivals, permanent venues and fan zones, overseeing the full lifecycle from concept and mobilisation through to live delivery and breakdown.
This is a senior, hands-on role, responsible for budgets, suppliers, stakeholders and multiple concurrent activations, ensuring CARGO GLOBAL EATS delivers a consistent, high-quality customer experience while meeting commercial and operational objectives.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and wider Commercial, Marketing and Operations teams, the role will identify new opportunities and establish CARGO GLOBAL EATS as a leading event food and fan zone proposition.
Job requirements
Essential
- Proven senior-level experience in major event planning and delivery, ideally across large-scale sporting events, festivals, venues or hospitality environments.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering large-scale fan zones, event spaces, hospitality environments or similar customer-facing activations.
- Strong understanding of detailed event planning, including site operations, technical requirements, infrastructure, logistics, suppliers and operational planning.
- Proven experience managing multiple projects, venues or event environments simultaneously, often to demanding deadlines.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, P&L, forecasting, cost control and commercial performance.
- Proven experience managing and negotiating with suppliers, contractors, subcontractors and external partners.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong project and mobilisation management skills, with the ability to take an opportunity from concept through to live delivery.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and respond confidently to short-notice changes and new opportunities.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to coordinate and motivate internal teams, suppliers and partners.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills, with a strong attention to detail.
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Events, Hospitality, Business or a related discipline.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the UK and Europe.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends and extended periods around major events.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience within street food, food markets, F&B, hospitality or multi-vendor environments.
- Existing network of street food traders, food operators, suppliers and event contractors.
- Experience developing or managing a consumer-facing food or hospitality brand.
- Experience working across multiple European markets.
- Experience within major sporting events, Formula One, golf, football, theme parks or large-scale festivals.
- Experience of developing fan zone concepts and customer experiences.
- Knowledge of event licensing, food safety, health & safety and other event compliance requirements.
- Experience in new business development, contract negotiation and commercial partnerships.
- Experience working with brand and marketing teams to develop and maintain brand standards.
- AutoCAD or other site-planning/design software experience.
Job responsibilities
CARGO GLOBAL EATS Strategy & Brand Leadership
- Own the overall CARGO GLOBAL EATS strategy, positioning the brand as a leading street food and event F&B proposition.
- Develop the CARGO GLOBAL EATS proposition across major sporting events, festivals, venues, theme parks and fan zones.
- Identify opportunities to grow CARGO GLOBAL EATS across new venues, events and markets in the UK and Europe.
- Develop consistent operating models for different environments, including General Admission, GA+, Hospitality, All Inclusive and fan zone propositions.
- Ensure CARGO GLOBAL EATS remains relevant, innovative and commercially competitive, continually evolving the food and customer experience.
- Protect and develop the CARGO GLOBAL EATS brand, ensuring consistent standards across every location.
- Work with Marketing to develop brand guidelines, customer communications, collateral and activation materials.
- Develop a portfolio of CARGO GLOBAL EATS events and case studies to support future business development and pitches.
- Lead the planning and deployment of CARGO GLOBAL EATS fan zones and event environments from initial concept through to live operation.
- Develop detailed operational and technical plans for each deployment, considering site layout, infrastructure, power, water, waste, access, storage, equipment, staffing and customer flow.
- Manage multiple fan zones or event environments operating simultaneously, ensuring each receives the appropriate level of planning and operational support.
- Lead site assessments and identify operational requirements, risks and opportunities.
- Coordinate build, installation, testing and commissioning of CARGO GLOBAL EATS environments.
- Be hands-on during mobilisation and live events, providing visible leadership and resolving operational issues as they arise.
- Oversee the breakdown and demobilisation of each site, ensuring equipment, infrastructure and assets are appropriately returned, stored and maintained.
- Work closely with Venue and Event Managers to ensure seamless integration of CARGO GLOBAL EATS into wider event operations.
- Ensure every CARGO GLOBAL EATS environment delivers a high-quality, consistent and engaging customer experience.
- Own the commercial performance of the CARGO GLOBAL EATS portfolio, including P&L, budgets, forecasting and cost control.
- Develop budgets and financial models for new CARGO GLOBAL EATS activations and fan zones.
- Ensure each CARGO GLOBAL EATS deployment is commercially viable and delivers against agreed financial targets.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins and optimise the CARGO GLOBAL EATS operating model.
- Work with Commercial to develop proposals, pitches and commercial models for new and existing opportunities.
- Ensure accurate costings, pricing and operational assumptions are reflected in commercial proposals.
- Negotiate and manage supplier, trader and subcontractor relationships to ensure commercially beneficial terms for FEP.
- Monitor financial performance across the portfolio and provide regular reporting to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Identify and manage commercial risks, escalating significant issues where appropriate.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with CARGO GLOBAL EATS food traders, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
- Develop a high-quality and reliable network of food operators capable of supporting a growing multi-site portfolio.
- Manage supplier selection, onboarding, contracting and performance.
- Establish clear service, quality, operational and brand expectations for all CARGO GLOBAL EATS partners.
- Ensure traders and suppliers receive the appropriate information, training and support ahead of each event.
- Monitor performance and address operational or commercial issues quickly and effectively.
- Continually review the CARGO GLOBAL EATS supplier network to ensure the brand remains fresh, diverse and commercially competitive.
- Establish and maintain consistent operational standards across the CARGO GLOBAL EATS portfolio.
- Ensure all activations meet relevant health & safety, food safety, licensing and event compliance requirements.
- Ensure appropriate risk assessments, method statements and operational documentation are in place.
- Work with FEP's internal teams to ensure CARGO GLOBAL EATS meets company and client standards.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Car allowance.
- Bonus scheme
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme.
- Access to FEP’s wider employee benefits programme.
- A dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a genuine impact at some of the UK’s most exciting venues.
Skills Required
- Proven senior-level experience in major event planning and delivery, ideally across large-scale sporting events, festivals, venues, or hospitality environments.
- Experience delivering large-scale fan zones, event spaces, hospitality environments, or similar customer-facing activations.
- Strong understanding of event planning, site operations, technical requirements, infrastructure, logistics, suppliers, and operational planning.
- Experience managing multiple projects, venues, or event environments simultaneously under demanding deadlines.
- Commercial acumen, including budgets, P&L, forecasting, cost control, and commercial performance.
- Experience managing and negotiating with suppliers, contractors, subcontractors, and external partners.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to collaborate with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong project and mobilisation management skills, from concept through live delivery.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and respond to short-notice changes.
- Strong leadership skills with ability to coordinate and motivate teams, suppliers, and partners.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills with strong attention to detail.
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Events, Hospitality, Business, or a related discipline.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the UK and Europe.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended periods around major events.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience in street food, food markets, food and beverage, hospitality, or multi-vendor environments.
- Existing network of street food traders, food operators, suppliers, and event contractors.
- Experience developing or managing a consumer-facing food or hospitality brand.
- Experience working across multiple European markets.
- Experience with major sporting events, Formula One, golf, football, theme parks, or large-scale festivals.
- Experience developing fan zone concepts and customer experiences.
- Knowledge of event licensing, food safety, health and safety, and event compliance requirements.
- Experience in new business development, contract negotiation, and commercial partnerships.
- Experience working with brand and marketing teams to develop and maintain brand standards.
- AutoCAD or other site-planning/design software experience.
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The Company
What We Do
Freemans Event Partners is a family-owned, multi-service event provider established in the United Kingdom. It partners with major European events, venues, and brands to enhance fan and spectator experiences. Its offering includes bespoke food and beverage operations, event infrastructure and logistics, cashless and PCI-compliant payment services, commercial brand partnerships, immersive activations, and on-site event management across sporting, cultural, and entertainment occasions.
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