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- Tasks: Lead and innovate catering operations at a prestigious independent school.
- Company: Join Lodestone House, part of the UK's leading foodservice organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of catering in a dynamic educational environment.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in catering or hospitality required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 72000 £ per year.
Director of Catering (Strategy & Operations) at Brighton College & Brighton College Prep Handcross.
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. 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.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Direction: Set and drive the strategic direction for catering and hospitality across Brighton College.
- Operational Excellence: Oversee all catering and hospitality operations across Brighton College and Brighton College Prep Handcross.
- Project Leadership & Change Management: Lead major catering and hospitality projects including service redesign, process implementation and offer evolution.
- Financial Accountability & Commercial Performance: Full accountability for contract financial performance.
- Data, Insight & Reporting: Use data to drive decision-making and performance improvement.
- People Leadership & Organisation: Ensure the operation is correctly structured with the right capability in the right roles.
- Client & Stakeholder Management: Build trusted relationships with Brighton College senior leadership.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all food safety, health & safety and people policies.
Working Pattern:
This is a demanding senior leadership role within an extremely busy operation. While predominantly Monday to Friday, evening and weekend working will be required to support key operational and hospitality activity.
Why Join Lodestone House:
This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the highest level within independent education catering. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Working for the UK's leading foodservice organisation with global reach.
- The ability to shape and influence strategy within a flagship independent school account.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes.
- Digital GP access and healthcare support for you and your immediate family.
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more.
- Grocery discounts with major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons.
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets.
- Cashback rewards on a wide range of brands.
- Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes.
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays.
Person Specification:
Essential:
- Senior leadership experience within catering, hospitality or foodservice.
- Proven financial and commercial accountability.
- Strong stakeholder management and presentation skills.
- Experience leading complex, high-profile operations.
- Highly organised, solution-focused and resilient.
Desirable:
- Independent education experience.
- Project or change management experience.
- Degree qualified or equivalent.
- Chef or operational food background.
Director Of Catering - Brighton employer: ESS
Contact Detail:
ESS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Of Catering - Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or attend interviews, make sure to highlight your strategic vision and operational excellence in catering. Share specific examples of how you've led successful projects or improved service standards in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to Brighton College or similar institutions through our website. Express your interest in potential opportunities and share how your skills align with their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in catering and hospitality. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious goals, especially around food quality, sustainability, and customer experience. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Of Catering - Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Director of Catering role. Highlight your leadership experience in catering and hospitality, and don’t forget to mention any relevant financial accountability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about catering and how your vision aligns with Brighton College’s values. Be specific about what you can bring to the table.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to set strategic direction and manage complex operations. Share examples of past projects where you’ve successfully led change or improved service delivery.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨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 and maintain high service standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Catering, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, managed complex operations, or implemented strategic changes. Highlight your ability to build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Financial accountability is key in this role. Brush up on your financial reporting skills and be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets, conducted variance analysis, and presented financial proposals. Show them you can drive commercial performance effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Building trusted relationships is crucial. Think about how you've managed stakeholder expectations in previous roles. Be ready to share strategies for effective communication and collaboration, especially in high-pressure environments like catering and hospitality.