Join the Seren Team

Seren is a dynamic and rapidly growing privately owned hospitality company that prides itself on truly memorable experiences while creating inspiring destinations for its guests to enjoy time and again. Its commitment to excellence is sincere, with the focus on getting the details right and showcasing warm, Welsh hospitality at its very best.   

This new role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) requires strong leadership skills and the ability to approach business with pragmatism whilst driving creative new strategies. The COO will lead our team of high-performing hospitality business leaders and professionals to be efficient, productive, and effective at delivering world-class guest experiences. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience within the hospitality industry, preferably having worked their way up to an executive role. Their career trajectory to date will have prepared them well to be successful in this challenging leadership role.

The COO will report directly to the CEO.  While the CEO is concerned with long-term business goals and growth, the COO will be focused on implementing the company strategies into daily operations to meet business objectives. Together with the CEO, the COO will collaborate effectively and work in tandem to steward Seren to a bright future. 

Objectives of this role 

• Collaborate with CEO in setting and driving vision, operations and staffing strategy. 
• Translate strategy into actionable steps for growth. 
• Implement Seren-wide goal setting, performance management, and operational planning frameworks. 
• Inspire delivery of exceptional quality, universally recognised for excellence. 
• Deliver high-performing company operations and employee productivity. 
• Build an inclusive culture where people thrive and goals are met. 
• Comply with national and local business regulations. 
• Improve quality ranking across awarding bodies, consortia and review websites. 

Responsibilities 

• Develop strategies for growth of individual venues.  
• Implement plans that align with the short and long-term objectives. 

• Ensure operations deliver quality excellence for our guests. 
• Ensure company profitability forecasts are delivered. 
• Analyse operational efficiency and identify areas for process enhancement. 
• Monitor performance with tracking software and take corrective measures. 
• Develop and control all operational budgets and forecasts. 
• Oversee Operations, People and Accounting teams. 
• Partner with CEO in sales management to deliver Capex objectives. 
• Nurture individuals and teams so that they reach their full potential. 
• Empower the operational team to successfully complete change initiatives.  
• Shape Seren’s strong ‘family’ culture where everybody has a voice.     
• Improve consistency of delivery through high levels of retention.   
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with all guests, partners and stakeholders. 
• Deliver talent pipeline through comprehensive recruitment and talent management. 
• Partner with Business Leaders and fellow executives to accomplish shared goals. 

Required skills and qualifications 

• Inspirational and empowering leader capable of defining and delivering a strategic operational roadmap.   
• Sophisticated strategic and operational leadership skills with resolve and integrity.   
• 5+ years’ experience in executive leadership roles with demonstrable success. 
• Considerable experience in leading hotels and restaurants at the highest level, with an instinctive understanding of customer needs. 
• Genuine passion for all things hospitality, food and service. 
• Approachable and friendly professional that fits Seren’s family culture.  
• Strong understanding of advanced business planning and regulatory issues. 
• Technically robust to manage complex budgets and reporting frameworks.     
• Solid grasp of data analysis and the full breadth of industry performance metrics. 
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues. 
• Skilled communicator, adept at listening as well as leading inspiring discussions. 
• Extensive experience of commercial development, sales and marketing. 
• Meticulous eye for detail and passion for getting things right the first time. 
• Outstanding communication, partnership and alliance-building skills. 
• Proven ability in gaining the trust and support of stakeholders and partners. 
• Personal credibility and confidence to be a key figurehead for the company. 

What we offer 

Seren offers an excellent working environment with a commitment to work-life balance in beautiful Pembrokeshire, with its golden sandy beaches, harbour villages, and the world-renowned coastal path on the doorstep. The successful candidate will be joining a business with a strong family philosophy and a highly experienced and award-winning leadership team, driving for the highest standards in the international hospitality sector. 

This role will be key in delivering ongoing success for an ambitious business and offers considerable opportunity for personal growth and development as well as the following package:  

• Excellent package to attract the very best industry leaders. 
• Discretionary bonus based on achievement against balanced set of KPIs.  
• Shareholding potential for those seeking a long-term career with Seren. 
• Enhanced senior management pension through Royal London. 
• Model 3 Tesla company car.  
• Financial support for attaining professional qualifications. 
• Long service holiday benefit. 
• Generous Employee Referral Scheme.  
• Employee Assistance Programme provided by Hospitality Action. 
• Annual Staff Rewards Scheme. 
• Company events and team away days. 
• 30% staff discount off food and beverage at all Seren venues.   
• £75 Employee and £190 Friends and Family room rate at Grove of Narberth. 
• £50 Employee and £150 Friends and Family room rate at Penmaenuchaf Hotel.  
• 50% off Best Available Rate at Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 
• Preferential rates at Pride of Britain Hotels.   

Interested? 

If so, we would love to hear from you. Candidates should forward a Covering Letter and CV directly to our Founder and Chief Executive, Neil Kedward at neil@serencollection.co.uk. 

A little more about Seren 

Seren started its journey with the launch of the Grove of Narberth in 2008.  Since then, the group has experienced organic year-on-year growth and now employs over 170 staff across five Welsh venues.  

Its two hotels sit in spectacular countryside. Grove of Narberth lies in Pembrokeshire, within the rolling Narberth hills and just minutes from the world-renowned Pembrokeshire coastline. Penmaenuchaf, near Dolgellau, lies at the foot of the mighty Cadair Idris within the iconic Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park of North Wales.  Its three restaurants are deeply inspired by their locations. The refined Fernery sits inside Grove of Narberth and takes its name from the wild ferns that characterise our local hedgerows and woodland. The rustic Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant sits on the shores of iconic Oxwich Bay on the Gower peninsular, while the breathtaking Coast restaurant sits proudly above the shoreline of the Pembrokeshire Coast path at Saundersfoot.   

In June 2023, Seren launched its Management Services and Consultancy business, leveraging its enviable reputation for delivering consistent growth to reach the highest hospitality management standards in the UK.  The business is currently very active in this space, seeking partners who share their passion for exceptional hospitality and want to build an exciting future together.  The new ambition is to deliver a 50/50 mix of owned and managed serviced venues across Wales.