Vice President of Food and Beverage Hospitality - Ryan Field at Northwestern University

Job Summary

Levy is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Vice President of Hospitality to lead our food, beverage, and hospitality operations for Northwestern University Athletics in Evanston, Illinois, including Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena, home to Northwestern football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and other athletic and special events.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the hospitality experience at one of the newest and most innovative venues in college athletics. The Vice President of Hospitality will serve as the senior Levy leader at Ryan Field, responsible for bringing our hospitality vision to life while building a high-performing team, developing strong partnerships, and delivering memorable experiences for Northwestern fans, alumni, guests, and the surrounding community.

The Opportunity

As Vice President of Hospitality, you will have overall responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of Levy's business at Ryan Field. You will partner closely with Northwestern University, Ryan Sports Development, Levy leadership, and key stakeholders to establish a best-in-class hospitality program across premium spaces, concessions, culinary, catering, and special events.

This leader will combine strong business acumen with an unwavering commitment to hospitality, innovation, team development, and operational excellence.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the senior Levy leader at Ryan Field, providing strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for the overall operation.

• Build and maintain exceptional relationships with Northwestern University, Ryan Sports Development, and other key partners and stakeholders.

• Lead the development of a distinctive hospitality culture focused on creating memorable experiences for every fan and guest.

• Oversee all food and beverage operations, including premium hospitality, clubs and suites, concessions, culinary, catering, and special events.

• Recruit, develop, inspire, and retain a talented leadership team while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and growth.

• Establish clear operational standards and ensure consistent execution across all areas of the business.

• Develop and execute strategic plans that drive revenue growth, profitability, guest satisfaction, and operational performance.

• Partner with culinary and operations leaders to deliver innovative food and beverage experiences that showcase Chicago, Evanston, and the surrounding community.

• Lead financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, labor management, cost controls, and identification of new revenue opportunities.

• Collaborate across Levy and Compass Group to leverage resources, best practices, technology, and innovation.

• Ensure the highest standards of safety, sanitation, compliance, and responsible alcohol service.

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership during events while ensuring teams are prepared to execute at the highest level.

• Identify opportunities to activate the venue beyond game days through special events and year-round hospitality experiences.

• Serve as an ambassador for Levy and our culture, demonstrating our commitment to creating an environment where both our team members and our guests can thrive.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Significant senior-level leadership experience in sports and entertainment, hospitality, food and beverage, hotels/resorts, restaurants, or another high-volume service environment.

• Proven success leading large, complex operations with multiple revenue centers.

• Strong financial and business acumen with demonstrated experience managing budgets, forecasts, labor, and profitability.

• Exceptional client and stakeholder relationship-management skills.

• Experience building and developing high-performing leadership teams.

• A passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.

• Strong strategic thinking combined with a willingness to be hands-on and highly visible within the operation.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, growth, openings, or other complex operational environments.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and executive presence.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on the event calendar, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.