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- Tasks: Lead and innovate catering operations at one of the UK's top independent schools.
- Company: Brighton College, a prestigious institution known for excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £72,000, 25 days annual leave, and bank holidays.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on quality and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic leadership and catering operations required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 72000 £ per year.
All potential candidates should read through the following details of this job with care before making an application.
Responsible To: Director of Operations / Regional Manager– Lodestone House
Location: Based at Brighton College, supporting Brighton College, Brighton College Prep Handcross and any other associated Brighton College Schools as required.
Work Level: Senior Leadership / Strategic Account Level
Working Hours: 40 hours, 5 days over 7
Salary: Up to £72,000
Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days + Bank Holidays
Contract: Permanent
Role Context
Lodestone House operates the catering and hospitality services at Brighton College, one of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools and named School of the Decade. Brighton College continues to expand its operations both within the UK and internationally and represents a complex, high-profile and fast-paced catering and hospitality environment.
This newly created senior leadership role oversees all catering and hospitality operations and works in close partnership with the Head of Catering Operations (Brighton College). The role exists to provide strategic direction, operational structure, commercial grip and senior leadership across the Brighton College and Brighton College Prep Handcross catering and hospitality operation, with the potential for further growth in the future.
Brighton College is one of the UK’s most prestigious and forward-thinking independent schools and has been recognised nationally as School of the Decade. Founded in 1845, the College has built an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, pastoral care, innovation and an unapologetically ambitious approach to education. The College educates pupils from ages 3 to 18 and operates as a large, dynamic community, combining day and boarding provision. It has consistently ranked at the top of national league tables and is widely regarded as a benchmark for best practice across the independent education sector.
Brighton College Prep Handcross educates pupils from nursery through to 13+, with a strong emphasis on academic foundations, pastoral care and preparing pupils for progression into senior independent education, including Brighton College.
Catering and hospitality are viewed as core to the pupil and staff experience, not simply a support function. Food quality, service standards, nutrition, sustainability and operational reliability are all critical to the College’s daily life and reputation.
The catering operation supports:
- A large day and boarding pupil population across multiple age groups in central Brighton and a Prep boarding school, based in Handcross
- High-volume daily breakfast, lunch and supper services with over 3,000 meals served per day across the group including customers with complex allergen and intolerance needs
- Extensive hospitality provision including formal dinners and receptions, sporting and cultural events, parent, alumni and donor events, conferences, summer schools and commercial lettings, and a busy calendar of evening and weekend activity
The operation is characterised by:
- High service expectations
- A strong focus on food quality, nutrition and sustainability
- Significant logistical complexity
- A requirement for absolute reliability alongside innovation and evolution
Overall Purpose of the Role
To provide strategic, operational and commercial leadership across the Brighton College catering and hospitality operation, ensuring delivery of a seamless, best-in-class service that reflects the College’s ambition, reputation and uncompromising standards. The role will set the strategic direction of catering and hospitality, lead and manage complex catering projects, introduce and refine structure and process, support and enable the Head of Catering Operations to deliver day-to-day excellence, and be fully accountable for financial performance, and senior stakeholder reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Direction:
- Set and drive the strategic direction for catering and hospitality across Brighton College.
- Translate Brighton College’s vision and values into a clear catering and hospitality strategy.
- Act as a senior strategic advisor to Brighton College leadership.
- Ensure alignment between Brighton College expectations and Lodestone House / Compass Group frameworks.
Operational Excellence:
- Oversee all catering and hospitality operations across Brighton College and Brighton College Prep Handcross.
- Introduce clarity, structure and rhythm into operational planning.
- Ensure consistently high standards of food quality, service and customer experience.
Project Leadership & Change Management:
- Lead major catering and hospitality projects including service redesign, process implementation and offer evolution.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, with minimal operational disruption and within the agreed budget.
- Establish clear project ownership, governance and delivery plans.
- Manage risk, dependencies and stakeholder expectations throughout delivery.
- Translate strategic intent into practical, deliverable outcomes.
Financial Accountability & Commercial Performance:
- Full accountability for contract financial performance.
- Lead monthly financial reporting, forecasting and variance analysis with the support of the Catering Financial Manager.
- Prepare and present financial and operational proposals to Brighton College and internal leadership teams.
Data, Insight & Reporting:
- Use data to drive decision-making and performance improvement.
- Translate complex financial and operational data into meaningful insight.
- Ensure clear, accurate and trusted reporting.
People Leadership & Organisation:
- Ensure the operation is correctly structured with the right capability in the right roles.
- Coach and support senior leaders including the Head of Catering Operations.
Contract Director - Catering in Brighton employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Director - Catering in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering and hospitality industry, especially those connected to Brighton College. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the college’s values and recent achievements. Brighton College is all about excellence and innovation, so think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practice answering common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your strategic leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for food quality and sustainability during interviews. Brighton College places a strong emphasis on these areas, so share your ideas on how you can enhance their catering operations. Bring along any relevant projects or initiatives you've led in the past to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive opportunities listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. So, get your application in and let’s make your dream job a reality!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Director - Catering in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you dive into your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in a Contract Director - Catering and how your experience aligns with our needs.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in catering and hospitality. Show us how your skills can help us achieve operational excellence at Brighton College.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior leadership role, we want to see your leadership style shine through. Share examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and driven strategic initiatives in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Catering Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the catering strategy of Brighton College. Understand their vision and how they align with operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contract Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
✨Understand Financial Accountability
Familiarise yourself with financial performance metrics relevant to catering operations. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting in previous roles. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the financial aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in catering operations. Think about challenges you've faced in the past and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.