Venue Operations Manager
Location: Luddesdown, Gravesend DA13 0XE
MDCV UK has a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK market. We have a long history of producing award-winning Provence Rosé and English Sparkling Wines, with an extensive infrastructure, both in France and the UK. By 2030, we will be the largest producer of wine in each of these regions, with a combined production of over 10 million bottles annually.
Our French estates span over 1,000 acres and are already established in many global markets, with sales of over 4 million bottles. In England, our flagship site, Silverhand Estate, not only lies within a National Landscape but also forms part of the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve, a hidden gem of natural beauty and rich heritage. It is defining the new rules of English sparkling wine, as the largest single organic vineyard in the UK, covering more than 900 acres, and it has been audited as the UKs first carbon negative vineyard, with no offsetting. By 2030 we aim to be producing 5 million bottles of English wine.
Key responsibilities
*Lead the launch of a new flagship dining and events destination on a world-class wine estate.
*Shape the venue’s identity, culture, service standards, and long-term success.
*Build and develop a high-performing hospitality team that reflects the ambitions of MDCV UK.
*Manage all daily venue operations to deliver an exceptional, consistent guest experience.
*Lead, train, and develop the FOH team to maintain outstanding service standards and strong product knowledge.
*Create and manage staff rotas, allocating resources to meet service demands.
*Maintain high operational standards across cleanliness, presentation, compliance, and guest-facing areas.
*Coordinate closely with the kitchen team to ensure smooth, timely, and cohesive service.
*Oversee venue stock management, including ordering, deliveries, waste reduction, and stock-take processes.
*Manage booking systems, POS platforms, and other guest management tools to optimise service efficiency and revenue performance.
*Handle guest enquiries, feedback, and service improvement opportunities with professionalism.
*Support on-site events by preparing the venue, managing FOH requirements, and ensuring high-quality hosting.
*Review daily sales, monitor performance trends, and identify revenue growth opportunities.
*Ensure completion and upkeep of all compliance documentation.
*Collaborate effectively with wider departments and sites.
Essential
*Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in hospitality management, ideally restaurant or venue based.
*Secure with weekend working as a necessity for the role.
*Proven track record of leading teams in a high-quality, guest-focused environment.
*Strong operational experience, including compliance, stock, and financial control.
*Excellent communication skills and an ability to motivate and coach teams.
*High standards of presentation, service delivery, and guest interaction.
*Strong problem-solving skills, able to act decisively under pressure.
*Confident using hospitality systems (EPOS, booking systems, MS Office).
*Ability to problem solve and pre-empt the needs of the business.
*Ability to react with appropriate levels of urgency to situations and events that require a swift response.
*High degree of professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information.
*Ability to work independently and complete assigned tasks within identified timeframes.