Head Chef Hospitality | United

As Head Chef - Hospitality at Manchester United, the role holder leads the culinary team responsible for delivering exceptional hospitality experiences across matchdays, major conferences and high-profile events at Old Trafford. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, it is a hands-on, high-impact leadership position that translates a world-class culinary vision into flawless, scalable kitchen execution. The role leads premium hospitality kitchen operations while driving flavour, presentation, food safety and financial discipline, and mentors and develops talent.

Success is measured by repeatable, consistently excellent performance, with the operation becoming calmer, stronger and more consistent as a result of the leadership provided.

• Lead the culinary team delivering hospitality across matchdays, major conferences and high-profile events at Old Trafford.
• Translate the culinary vision into scalable kitchen execution, driving flavour, presentation, food safety and financial discipline.
• Lead premium hospitality kitchen operations from the front, remaining visible, hands-on and never above the basics.
• Set clear expectations and lead with honesty, fairness and accountability.
• Maintain high standards and challenge poor standards without creating blame.
• Coach and develop chefs, identify potential and give people genuine ownership.
• Stay calm under pressure and bring clarity when service becomes demanding.
• Focus on solutions, adapting quickly and bringing answers rather than simply problems.
• Build a one-team mentality, respecting every department and recognising that the guest experiences one operation.
• Ensure kitchens are organised, labelled, stocked, briefed and controlled ahead of service, with food safety and allergen controls embedded as everyday habits.
• Manage waste, food cost, stock and labour actively, and run debriefs that lead to action and reduce recurring problems event by event.

• Strong leadership experience within premium hospitality, events, hotels, restaurants or a comparable high-volume operation.
• Excellent culinary standards and a genuine passion for delivering outstanding food.
• Ability to lead large teams through high-pressure service environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• Commercial awareness across food cost, labour, stock, waste and yield.
• A hands-on leadership style with the credibility to lead from the front.
• Excellent organisation, communication and planning skills.
• A commitment to developing people and building a strong culinary team.

• Old Trafford, Manchester

• £55,000 Per annum, plus bonus and full company benefits

• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, an additional day off for your birthday, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare and wellbeing cover including Aviva Digicare free annual health check and Medicash dental, optical and therapy treatments (including up to four dependent children)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, plus two days' additional leave following return from maternity leave during the first year back and a day off for a baby's first birthday
• Shopping, entertainment and travel discounts, including up to 55% off cinema tickets, up to 15% off high street and online stores, and discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off Pure Gym memberships
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products
• Meals on duty
• Professional subscriptions paid, ongoing training and development, and structured career pathways
• Vodafone discounts
• Access to an exclusive benefits and wellbeing site (Perks at Work)