Hospitality Specialist

Role overview

The Hospitality Specialist will support the Venue Operations Department’s Hospitality Division in delivering memorable, high-quality experiences for fans, guests, VIPs, invitees, and royals. The role focuses on coordinating planning and on-ground execution across one or more hospitality zones during events.

Key responsibilities

• Support the planning and delivery of operations for one or multiple hospitality zones at event venues.
• Coordinate hospitality program services and ensure all deliverables stay aligned across the designated area.
• Build detailed operational plans for assigned zones and look for ways to improve the guest experience.
• Review, question, and approve vendor operating plans to make sure food safety, service quality, contractual obligations, local regulations, and operational standards are met.
• Help implement readiness and risk management plans, and escalate any changes or conflicts within the project.
• Track event-day hospitality delivery and help keep the program on schedule.
• Stay flexible as plans change and adjust execution so key milestones are still achieved.
• Support the review of food and beverage RFPs and the definition of vendor service levels.
• Assess catering needs such as kitchen equipment, services, space, and logistics for bump-in and bump-out.
• Assist the Hospitality Manager in creating venue-specific menus with vendors.
• Develop training programs for hosts and hostesses.
• Monitor vendor performance and deliverables during live event days.
• Oversee food safety execution and compliance with required standards.
• Assess hospitality zone space requirements, including front-of-house and back-of-house layouts, guest movement, and flow.
• Monitor catering technical requirements and MEP plans.
• Contribute to the design, setup, and decoration of hospitality spaces based on approved mood boards, renders, furniture choices, and materials.
• Support the Hospitality Manager with day-to-day delivery of hospitality operations.
• Manage vendor timelines and responsibilities from award through implementation and contract closeout.
• Assist with operations testing and readiness planning.
• Keep the line manager informed on progress, issues, and escalations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with vendors, internal teams, and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• A degree in hospitality, event management, sport management, or a related discipline.
• At least 2 years of experience in hospitality or event management.
• Strong command of both Arabic and English.
• Ability to manage several priorities at once and organize work efficiently.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Comfort with accountability, risk awareness, problem-solving, and timely escalation when needed.
• Calm, resilient, and able to perform effectively under pressure.
• A proactive mindset with interest in motorsport event delivery.
• Professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to high standards.
• Open-minded, constructive, and willing to take guidance.
• Creative thinking and a willingness to contribute innovative ideas.

Additional information

This position is based in Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and is a full-time onsite role. The vacancy is with Saudi Motorsport Company.