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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engaging programmes to enhance school dining experiences and promote healthy eating.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a leading contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy pro-rata holiday, free meals, discounts, and bespoke training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through food education and engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in marketing and pupil engagement; passion for food and nutrition essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and career development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London Region - 3 Locations within South London
Contract Type: Term-time only – 35 working weeks (175 days)
Why Join Us
- Pro-rata holiday allowance
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Catering Engagement Manager to play a key role in enhancing the school’s catering experience across both the prep and senior sites. Working closely with our management team and the school’s leadership, you will design and deliver a comprehensive added-value engagement programme for our key stakeholders, principally pupils and parents, but also staff, visitors, and our wider community. You will understand the importance of school meals in children’s lives and be motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Alongside excellent communication and relationship-building skills, you will be digitally minded, with a strong grasp of current trends and digital engagement techniques. This role combines engagement, communication, and hospitality, helping to ensure our food offer is meaningful, inclusive, and aligned with pupil needs. Your work will help ensure pupils leave school understanding that healthy, sustainable eating is as essential as core learning and as enjoyable as the many extracurricular activities on offer.
You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh and innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering provision specifically to suit children of all ages and meet the bespoke requirements of each school. Our mission is simple: we invest in our people, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and deliver a truly personalised experience to every client.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the key liaison between pupils, staff, and the catering team, ensuring pupil voice and feedback actively shape the dining offer
- Develop and lead a structured programme of engagement through pupil food councils, themed events, and wellbeing campaigns
- Champion a welcoming, hospitality-focused dining environment that reflects the school’s ethos and premium standards
- Expand engagement from one-off activities to an ongoing strategic programme
- Lead engagement activities to promote healthy eating and wellbeing across both prep and senior schools
- Collect and analyse feedback through surveys, meetings, and suggestion boxes to inform menu development
- Prepare and format menus for display, digital platforms, and termly publications
- Assist in developing hospitality and fine dining menus for school events, open days, and external functions
- Support the organisation of sports and parent teas, ensuring menus, presentation, and service meet school expectations
- Ensure all allergen and dietary information is accurate and clearly communicated across all catering areas
- Collaborate with the school’s communication and marketing teams to highlight catering achievements/initiatives plus promote catering as part of the wider school experience and reputation
- Provide input on dining-room aesthetics, signage, digital content, and service style to maintain a consistently high-quality impression
- Monitor pupil participation, satisfaction, and food waste, identifying trends and areas for improvement
- Prepare brief termly summaries of engagement initiatives and outcomes
- Contribute creative ideas and innovations to enhance the dining experience each term
Qualifications
- Experience in marketing, pupil engagement, and enrichment – Essential
- Ideally, experience working within education catering
- Up-to-date knowledge of current food trends
- A genuine passion for food, nutrition, and exceptional customer service
- Strong understanding of Food, Health & Safety standards
- Exceptional time management and organisational skills
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal abilities
- Confident in social media management and digital marketing, with the ability to create engaging content and drive stakeholder engagement
Additional Information
- People first: We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Catering Engagement Manager in London employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Engagement Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and education sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at interviews or networking events, let your passion for food and engagement shine through. Share your ideas on how to enhance the dining experience – they’ll love your enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a school or organisation that excites you, don’t wait for a job ad. Reach out directly with a tailored pitch about how you can add value as a Catering Engagement Manager. It shows initiative and could lead to opportunities before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise social media! Follow schools and catering companies on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Engage with their content, share your insights on food trends, and connect with key players in the industry. This can help you stay informed and make valuable connections.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Engagement Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and nutrition shine through! Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight why you’re excited about enhancing the catering experience for pupils.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and values!
Highlight Your Engagement Skills: Since this role is all about engagement, be sure to showcase your communication and relationship-building skills. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with different stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Holroyd Howe
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research the school and its community. Understand their values and how they approach catering. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in enhancing their catering experience.
✨Showcase Your Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with different stakeholders in previous roles. Whether it's through food councils or themed events, be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used to promote healthy eating and wellbeing.
✨Be Digitally Savvy
Since the role requires a strong grasp of digital engagement techniques, come prepared to discuss your experience with social media management and creating engaging content. Highlight any successful campaigns you've led that align with current food trends.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about their current initiatives in pupil engagement or how they measure satisfaction. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to making a meaningful difference.
