At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional food experiences in education settings.
- Company: Join Chartwells Education, a leader in catering for schools and universities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's lives through nutritious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Chartwells Education, we're passionate about serving nutritious, sustainable food that helps children and young people thrive. As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we partner with schools, colleges and universities across the UK to deliver outstanding catering and support services that make a real difference every day.
We're looking for an experienced and ambitious Deputy Account Director to support the leadership of a significant education catering portfolio. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded, people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences.
The Role
Reporting to the Account Director, you will play a key role in supporting the operational and commercial performance of a diverse portfolio of education sites. You will work closely with General Managers and operational teams to ensure outstanding service delivery, strong client relationships, and sustainable business growth.
The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, a passion for operational excellence, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across multiple locations. Experience in project management and leading change initiatives would be highly advantageous, as you will support future investment plans and operational development projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the management and performance of a national portfolio of education catering contracts.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a key point of contact across the business.
- Drive operational excellence, ensuring quality, service, compliance, and contractual standards are consistently achieved.
- Coach, develop and inspire General Managers and site leadership teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Support the delivery of commercial objectives, including revenue growth, profitability, retention and client satisfaction.
- Lead and support projects, mobilisation activities and future investment plans across the portfolio.
- Analyse business performance data and implement improvement plans where required.
- Champion a culture of innovation, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure all sites operate in line with company policies, legislative requirements, and safeguarding standards.
About You
We're looking for a dynamic leader who combines strong commercial acumen with a genuine passion for food, people, and service excellence. You will ideally have:
- Significant experience within multi-site contract catering, hospitality, or food service operations.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams across multiple locations.
- Strong financial and commercial management skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship-building abilities.
- The ability to identify complex business challenges and implement effective solutions.
- Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.
- Experience managing projects, change initiatives, or investment programmes.
- A passion for delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences.
- A proven track record of driving operational performance and continuous improvement.
What We Can Offer
We believe in rewarding our people and supporting their development. As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, you'll benefit from:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Digital GP access and comprehensive healthcare benefits for you and your immediate family
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Savings on supermarket shopping with Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and others
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cashback rewards and discounts across hundreds of leading brands
- Free wellbeing, mindfulness and exercise classes
- Access to a wide range of employee discounts that can be shared with friends and family
About Chartwells Education
Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over 25 years, we've been helping children and young people build strong bodies, sharp minds, and healthy futures through nutritious food and outstanding service. Every week, we serve millions of meals across primary schools, secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities throughout the UK.
Safeguarding
Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and Children's Barred List check. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and applicants will be required to declare all convictions and cautions for assessment purposes.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced multi-site leader looking for your next challenge within a market-leading organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
About Us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Deputy Account Director in Cogenhoe employer: Compass Group
At Chartwells Education, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our people and their development. With a strong focus on career growth through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, we offer a vibrant work culture that champions innovation and operational excellence. Our competitive benefits package, including comprehensive healthcare, exclusive travel discounts, and employee wellbeing initiatives, ensures that our team members feel supported and valued while making a meaningful impact in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Account Director in Cogenhoe
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Compass Group. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Compass Group
Don't be shy about reaching out to Compass Group directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Account Director in Cogenhoe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Compass Group and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
